Principal Software Engineer

About the role

As a , you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of interactive digital experiences. Your expertise will contribute to the development of a robust game engine that supports millions of players worldwide. You will be part of a dynamic team focused on enhancing real-time communication and ensuring seamless gameplay. This position offers the opportunity to tackle complex technical challenges while fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and creativity.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead a team of engineers with over eight years of industry experience, guiding them in the development of game networking solutions.
• Dive deep into the intricacies of game networking, demonstrating a strong passion for open-source technologies and their applications in gaming.
• Utilize your extensive experience in asset loading, rendering, and networking, particularly within game engine or studio environments.
• Exhibit exceptional skills in systems-level programming using C++, focusing on the underlying operations of the CPU, including smart pointers, templates, and memory management.
• Analyze network exchanges meticulously, identifying areas for optimization to enhance performance and reduce latency.
• Gain insights into operating system interactions, understanding how code execution impacts overall system performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure that the game engine can support a vast array of devices, from desktops to mobile and console platforms.
• Contribute to the development of a multi-threaded distributed system that effectively connects millions of users globally, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience.
• Mentor junior engineers, sharing your knowledge and expertise to foster their growth and development within the team.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements, integrating relevant technologies and methodologies into the game engine.
• Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback to enhance code quality and team performance.
• Engage in problem-solving sessions to address challenges related to scale, performance, and throughput in client/server environments.

Requirements

• A minimum of eight years of experience in software engineering, with a strong focus on game development and networking.
• Proven track record of working on multiplayer game engines, addressing challenges related to performance and scalability.
• Extensive experience with distributed systems and multithreading, particularly in environments that serve a large user base.
• Proficiency in C++ programming, with a solid understanding of systems-level programming concepts.
• Familiarity with asset loading and rendering techniques within game engines.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in network communication.
• Excellent communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• A passion for gaming and a desire to create engaging experiences for players around the world.

Nice to have

• Experience with open-source game development projects, contributing to community-driven initiatives.
• Knowledge of various gaming platforms and their unique requirements, including mobile and console environments.
• Familiarity with modern software development methodologies, such as Agile or DevOps practices.

Skills & tools

• C++ programming
• Game engine development
• Networking protocols
• Asset loading and rendering techniques
• Multithreading and distributed systems
• Performance optimization

Practical notes

This position is based at our headquarters in San Mateo, CA. The starting salary for this role ranges from $293,800 to $343,340 USD annually, depending on various factors such as experience, location, and market demand. Full-time employees are also eligible for equity compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. For those working at the office, attendance is expected on-site Tuesday through Thursday, with optional presence on Mondays and Fridays.

Roblox is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities or religious beliefs during the hiring process. Please note that for U.S.-based roles, the company may have limitations regarding work authorization for certain visa categories and may not support future H-1B sponsorship.

Join us at Roblox and be a part of a team that is redefining the way people connect and interact in the digital world!