⚡ The Opportunity

Own core gameplay architecture for a fully-funded multiplayer shooter in active development. You'll architect multiplayer systems that handle thousands of concurrent players while maintaining the tight, responsive feel that competitive FPS demands.

This isn't maintenance work - you'll be designing and implementing new systems from the ground up within our established UE5 framework, making architectural decisions that define the player experience.

🎯 You Will

System Architecture & Implementation

• Architect and implement server-authoritative multiplayer systems with client prediction/reconciliation
• Design weapon systems including advanced ballistics, material penetration, and damage modeling
• Build scalable AI state machines for both combat encounters and ambient world simulation

Technical Leadership

• Drive performance optimization for 60+ FPS competitive multiplayer experiences
• Establish engineering best practices and mentor team members on Unreal architecture
• Make critical technical decisions balancing gameplay feel with network performance

Core Systems Ownership

• Own complex inventory replication and dynamic loot spawn management systems
• Implement persistent player progression with reputation and statistics tracking
• Design robust session management and skill-based matchmaking architecture

🛡️ Core Requirements

• 5+ years shipping games with Unreal Engine (UE4/UE5)
• Deep C++ expertise with focus on gameplay architecture and systems design
• Proven shooter experience: weapon systems, movement mechanics, combat feel
• 2+ shipped commercial titles, preferably competitive multiplayer games
• Multiplayer architecture mastery: client-server, replication, lag compensation
• Backend integration experience: services, databases, analytics pipelines
• Performance optimization expertise: profiling, memory management, frame budgets

🌟 Stand-Out Qualifications

• Extraction shooter or BR game development experience
• Anti-cheat and competitive integrity systems knowledge
• Experience scaling games to thousands of concurrent players
• GAS (Gameplay Ability System) expertise
• Previous work on live-service multiplayer titles

🎮 Why Ironbelly Studios?

Proven Team: 15+ years delivering over 300+ projects with a framework that's powered multiple shipped games

Creative Freedom: Trust-based environment where senior engineers drive technical decisions

Stability Meets Innovation: Funded project with industry veterans, exploring new frontiers in player ownership

Montreal Hub: Hybrid model (1-2 days/week) in our Montreal studio - collaborate in-person with a world-class team

📍 Location Note

This is a hybrid role based in Montreal, Quebec. We're building a core team that collaborates in-person 1-2 days per week. Local candidates or those willing to relocate will be prioritized.