Principal Software Engineer

The L.A. Times Studios LLC vision is to be the premier studio for groundbreaking and impactful storytelling, setting high standards for excellence in content creation and production. We push the boundaries of traditional media, exploring new formats and platforms to reach diverse and global audiences. By championing innovative ideas and diverse voices, we aspire to create a more connected world through storytelling and events supported by robust revenue streams from advertising sales, branded content, event production, products and business development.

Join a team of creative, collaborative and innovative professionals, apply today using the link below.
The Principal Software Engineer plays a key role in designing, developing, and maintaining the core systems and tools that power our online and live service games. This position collaborates closely with designers, artists, and producers to implement scalable, high-performance gameplay features, backend systems, and live operations tools. The Principal Software Engineer ensures technical excellence across the project lifecycle—from prototyping and optimization to deployment and live support—driving innovation and stability in player experiences. This role also mentors junior developers, promotes best coding practices, and contributes to improving studio pipelines and development efficiency.

Main Job Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain core gameplay systems that deliver engaging, responsive, and scalable player experiences.
• Develop and optimize backend systems that support online multiplayer, live events, player progression, and data-driven features.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (designers, artists, QA, and live ops) to ensure smooth integration of gameplay and online systems.
• Prototype, iterate, and refine gameplay and live features based on player feedback, analytics, and performance metrics.
• Optimize client and server code for performance, stability, and network efficiency across multiple platforms.
• Support live operations by monitoring system health, resolving critical issues, and deploying updates or patches with minimal downtime.
• Develop tools and frameworks that improve workflow efficiency for gameplay, live service content, and production pipelines.
• Mentor junior engineers and conduct code reviews to uphold high technical standards, maintainability, and best practices.
• Collaborate on architecture decisions to ensure systems are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with long-term technical goals.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously improve gameplay mechanics, online infrastructure, and live service capabilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering and 10+ years of professional programming experience in game development, preferably in AAA or online/live-service titles OR 12+ years of professional programming experience in game development, preferably in AAA or online/live-service titles.
• Demonstrated experience in gameplay programming, online systems, or backend services for live games.
• Strong portfolio of shipped titles or projects demonstrating technical skill and creativity.
• Proficiency in C++ and/or C#; experience with other languages (Python, Java, Lua) is a plus.
• Solid understanding of game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary engines) and associated pipelines.
• Experience with networking, client-server architecture, and live service operations, including matchmaking, persistence, and data-driven systems.
• Strong knowledge of performance optimization, debugging, and profiling techniques for both client and server.
• Familiarity with tools development, pipelines, and automation to support production efficiency.
• Understanding of software engineering best practices, including code reviews, version control (Git, Perforce), and continuous integration.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to break down complex systems.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior programmers, promoting best practices and a culture of technical excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with live service games, including handling live events, updates, and player-facing analytics.
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, databases, or scalable backend systems (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Knowledge of modern graphics, physics, or AI systems in games.
• Experience contributing to technical design documents and architectural planning.
• Passion for games and a strong understanding of gameplay mechanics, player engagement, and online communities.

The L.A. Times Studios, LLC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We actively work to create an inclusive environment where all of our employees can thrive. This Privacy Notice for L.A. Times Studios, LLC sets forth how we will use the information we obtain when you apply for a position with us.

The pay scale the Company reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of the posting is $175,000 to $185,000.14 and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to skill set, experience, training, licenses, certifications, and other business or organizational needs. Compensation will be determined based on the above factors along with the requirements of the position. At the L.A. Times Studios, LLC, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.
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