
Systems Engineer – Principal/Lead
Bonfire Studios
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Irvine • California • United States
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Salary
💰 $237,500 - $290,000 per year
Job Level
Tech Stack
About the role
- Shaping the architecture, optimization, and long-term evolution of core engine systems in Unity/DOTS (C# and C/C++) — spanning runtime performance, memory management, platform-specific optimization (PC and consoles), networking infrastructure, graphics, and tooling.
- Driving complex technical decisions across console performance and low-level systems architecture, with reach into graphics, tooling, and engine infrastructure to ensure our systems scale for both developers and players.
- Collaborating with internal and external leads to advance engine platform capabilities — including console features, anti-cheat, and team workflows.
- Tackling high-impact projects such as optimizing iteration pipelines, building live-editable profiling systems, and enhancing runtime systems like rendering, streaming, and netcode.
- Creating tools and APIs that make developers' lives easier and help the team deliver high-quality content faster.
- Jumping into other areas as needed — from audio to UI to gameplay systems — to support the broader team.
- Contributing beyond core engineering, leaning on your passions and perspectives to help the studio grow.
- (Lead) Providing technical leadership and mentorship across a senior engineering team — fostering autonomy, accountability, and growth through clear direction, constructive feedback, and deliberate skill development.
Requirements
- Have shipped multiple titles with deep, hands-on experience leading technical direction on proprietary, custom, or heavily modified engines for AAA games on PC and modern consoles.
- Bring proven experience building and optimizing systems for competitive multiplayer games, with a sharp understanding of how low-level decisions impact responsiveness and player experience.
- Have deep expertise in high-performance real-time systems, multi-threaded architecture, and ECS paradigms.
- (Lead) Have led and grown senior engineering teams, and can provide the mentorship and clarity that high-performing engineers need to do their best work.
- Enjoy solving the hardest problems — whether debugging elusive issues, optimizing complex systems, or making foundational architectural calls with long-term consequences.
- Thrive on curiosity and adaptability, eager to dive into new areas and unfamiliar code.
- Value collaboration, trust, and diverse perspectives, building strong partnerships across the studio.
- Carry a genuine passion for both technology and the creative process of making games.
Benefits
- equity
- full benefits package
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
C#C/C++UnityDOTSmulti-threaded architecturehigh-performance real-time systemsECS paradigmsnetworking infrastructuregraphics optimizationmemory management
Soft Skills
technical leadershipmentorshipcollaborationproblem-solvingadaptabilitycuriositytrust-buildingaccountabilityconstructive feedbackskill development