Gameplay Engineer (Unreal Engine)

“This expedition, at least, promises success.” –The Ancestor

Red Hook are the creators of the Darkest Dungeon series, which has grown from crowdfunded beginnings to become gaming’s most iconic strategy gothic horror franchise. Darkest Dungeon and Darkest Dungeon II have combined to sell many millions of copies. Red Hook continues to function as an independent studio under its parent company, Behaviour Interactive, with a mandate to continue creating bold titles featuring significant innovation. We strive to maintain a workplace founded upon creativity, respect, transparency, and accountability.

Reporting to the Technical Director, you will play a crucial role in leading the creation of best-in-class gameplay systems for a new, ambitious project. Working closely with the Design Director and team members from other disciplines (environment art, combat design, and more), you’ll be instrumental in building core gameplay systems that bring all teams together.

Why Join Us?

• Clear Vision & Leadership - Work with experienced leaders who know where the project is going and how to get there. Red Hook is led by the original Darkest Dungeon creators.
• Collaborative Culture - Join a team that respects and elevates each other’s craft, knowing that only through our collective efforts can we achieve success.
• Agency - With the game’s vision clearly defined, our designers are trusted with real creative ownership—working without micromanagement and empowered to shape a game the entire team will be proud of.
• Stability - Red Hook is careful about hiring and firing, seeking to avoid boom and bust cycles. We’re in this for the long game.
• Beautiful Vancouver - Live and work in one of the most desirable cities in the world. Relocation assistance available.

Responsibilities

• Develop features and resolve issues across artificial intelligence systems, core gameplay elements, and UI framework under senior mentorship.
• Create modular, data-driven gameplay systems that support rapid iteration and scale across console and PC platforms.
• Work closely with design, animation, and audio teams to prototype mechanics, tune feel, and refine experiences through playtesting.
• Continuous Improvement – Stay up to date with UE5 subsystems (GAS, MassEntity, Chaos), propose tooling or workflow improvements, and help drive internal knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• 3+ years as a Gameplay Engineer, with at least two significant shipped titles
• Extensive expertise in Unreal Engine (non-negotiable), UE5 preferred
• Proficiency in C++ and Unreal's Gameplay Framework (Actors, Components, GameMode, PlayerState, etc)
• Experience with Gameplay, AI Systems and UI.
• Passionate about prototyping, polishing and delivering tight player control and feedback loops.
• Self-motivated and organized
• Collaborative and friendly–your ability to get along with other team members while still pushing for a high quality end product is crucial to success
  

Red Hook Studios is an inclusive, respectful, and supportive workplace. We encourage candidates of all identities and backgrounds to apply.