Full-Time
Lead Gameplay Engineer
Posted on 10/2/2025
Turtle Rock Studios
201-500 employees
Video game development studio for AAA/VR
Compensation Overview
$140k - $195k/yr
Lake Forest, CA, USA
Hybrid
 Software Engineering (1) |
|---|
- 7 years of professional game programming experience
- Proficiency in C/C++ and Microsoft Visual Studio
- Professional experience in UE4 or UE5
- Ability to work independently and efficiently under deadlines
- Strong leadership, mentorship, and teaching abilities
- Shipped at least one AAA title as a gameplay programmer
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Work with an interdisciplinary team of artists, designers, and programmers to design, prototype, and implement a variety of gameplay systems
- Work closely with the Gameplay Tech Director and design teams to craft memorable gameplay experiences
- Write core systems that will form the basis of the gameplay experience
- Use existing technology to achieve new and unique game features
- Profile and optimize code to meet memory and CPU budgets
- Provide mentorship and coaching for team members including but not limited to: 1:1s, career developments, performance evaluations, and goal setting
- Playtest with the studio
- Strong animation, physics, or network experience is a big plus
- Previous work on Multiplayer Action Games and FPS's is desirable
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Computer Science or Engineering
Turtle Rock Studios develops AAA and VR video games, including Back 4 Blood, and has partnered with Valve on major titles like Counter-Strike and Left 4 Dead. Its games emphasize cooperative multiplayer in large, immersive environments, with Back 4 Blood centered on four-player co-op against hordes. Tencent owns the studio since 2021, but the team continues to operate independently from its Lake Forest, California headquarters, led by the co-founders. The studio aims to keep producing high-budget titles and expand its IP portfolio while leveraging Tencent’s backing and maintaining independent leadership.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Lake Forest, Illinois
Founded
2003
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Back 4 Blood hit 10 million players by February 2022, proving co-op demand.
- Post-launch DLC like Tunnels of Terror drives recurring revenue effectively.
- Tencent acquisition in 2021 funds independent development of new titles.
What critics are saying
- Helldivers 2 dominates with 450k peak players, cannibalizing new shooter.
- Warner Bros blacklists after Back 4 Blood's 5.2m sales underperformance.
- Tencent shutters studio if new game misses 5m sales in 24 months.
What makes Turtle Rock Studios unique
- Masters 4v1 asymmetrical multiplayer from Evolve's hunter-monster battles.
- Pioneers co-op PvE zombie shooters via Left 4 Dead and Back 4 Blood.
- Innovates replayable cooperative FPS with dynamic survival mechanics.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Profit Sharing
Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Company News
Turtle Rock working on Back 4 Blood sequel.
Turtle Rock Studios is working on a New Co-Op survivor Shooter.
On Thursday, Back 4 Blood developer Turtle Rock Studios announced that it’s no longer planning to develop new content for the game.
In a short update, Turtle Rock Studios confirms it’s not working on any more Back 4 Blood content.
Turtle Rock Studios has announced that it’s finished working on its cooperative zombie slaying FPS, Back 4 Blood, and won’t be producing any new content for the game.