[Hiring] Lead UE5 C++ Gameplay Engineer @EPAM

Role Description

We are seeking a Lead UE5 C++ Gameplay Engineer who is passionate about leveraging Generative AI to create dynamic gameplay systems that respond to players in ways previously thought impossible. In this role, you won't just be building models or shipping features - you'll be shaping the technical vision, leading a team of engineers, and defining the experiences that redefine player agency.

• Lead the technical direction and architectural vision for runtime plugin systems within UE5, including Build.cs configuration, module dependencies, and non-editor code.
• Define plugin boundaries, establish engineering standards, and drive clean integration patterns across systems.
• Own the design of real-time audio streaming pipelines using USoundWaveProcedural, including PCM buffering and resampling.
• Guide the team in solving sample-rate and audio-format conversion, underrun mitigation, and latency tuning challenges.
• Architect WebSocket and streaming protocol integrations in C++ with persistent session management and JSON-based event protocols.
• Establish reconnection strategies and backpressure handling patterns for robust network communication across the codebase.
• Direct the integration of LLM and conversational AI voice systems, including TTS/STT, prompt and session design, and turn-taking logic.
• Design and evolve event-driven systems using decoupled delegates, event bus patterns, and Unreal subsystems.
• Oversee cross-system integrations across the codebase to support dynamic gameplay experiences.
• Drive MetaHuman runtime lip-sync integration, audio-to-viseme pipelines, and streamed audio into facial animation.
• Mentor engineers, conduct code reviews, and set best practices for debugging and profiling audio and network layers, including tracing raw protocol events and diagnosing quality, latency, and streaming issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (design, production, AI/ML) to align technical execution with product vision.
• Contribute to hiring, onboarding, and growing the engineering team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in gameplay engineering with C++ in Unreal Engine.
• 1+ years of experience leading engineering teams.
• Deep expertise in UE5 C++ plugin/module development, including runtime plugin architecture, Build.cs configuration, and module dependencies.
• Knowledge of Lua, including scripting integration with C++ and its application within gameplay or tooling systems.
• Mastery of runtime (non-editor) code and the ability to define plugin boundaries and integration patterns at scale.
• Strong background in real-time audio streaming in Unreal Engine using USoundWaveProcedural, PCM buffering, and proper resampling.
• Advanced skills in sample-rate and audio-format handling, underrun mitigation, and latency tuning.
• Deep competency in WebSocket and streaming protocol integration in C++, covering persistent session management, JSON-based event protocols, and reconnection strategies.
• Solid understanding of backpressure handling in networked streaming systems.
• Hands-on familiarity with libwebsockets.
• Strong knowledge of LLM and conversational AI voice systems, including TTS/STT integration, prompt and session design, and turn-taking systems.
• Proven capability to investigate and debug latency in conversational AI pipelines.
• Expert-level qualifications in event-driven architecture using decoupled delegates, event bus patterns, and Unreal subsystems, with cross-system integration and codebase wiring.
• Demonstrable portfolio of MetaHuman integration work involving runtime lip-sync systems, audio-to-viseme pipelines, and feeding streamed audio into facial animation.
• Advanced proficiency in audio and network debugging/profiling, including tracing raw protocol events and diagnosing audio quality, latency, and streaming issues.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to align engineers around a shared technical vision.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English (B2+ level).

Requirements

• Familiarity with StateTree.
• Experience architecting gameplay systems and components.
• Knowledge of multiplayer replication.
• Skills in Blueprints and animation systems.