Game Systems Programmer

About the role

We are seeking a game systems programmer to help build advanced training and simulation capabilities for critical national security challenges. You’ll join a multidisciplinary team creating game-engine-based tools for scenario execution, physics modeling, visualization, experimentation, and mission planning. This is an opportunity to apply the craft of systems programming to technical problems that matter beyond a product cycle.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and improve real-time software systems that support simulation, interactive 3D visualization, scenario execution, and training.
• Build performance-sensitive software for engine systems involving runtime state, physics models, data flow, networking, input, visualization, or simulation control.
• Integrate game engines, simulation frameworks, physics models, data sources, and external tools into reliable interactive capabilities.
• Profile, debug, and improve software across CPU, GPU, memory, networking, latency, load time, and real-time frame-budget constraints.
• Contribute to runtime systems, tools, automated tests, data pipelines, debugging utilities, and workflows used by engineers and analysts.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teammates to understand user needs, communicate technical tradeoffs, and deliver software that supports training, experimentation, analysis, and mission planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, game development, physics, mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 1+ years of professional software development experience in game-engine systems, real-time simulation, visualization, interactive tools, robotics, extended reality, or related performance-sensitive software.
• Experience developing clear, maintainable C++ software for real-time, interactive, simulation, engine, or other performance-sensitive applications.
• Experience debugging and improving software using profilers, logs, traces, debuggers, memory tools, frame captures, or similar diagnostic techniques.
• Experience with systems programming areas such as memory management, multithreading, job systems, networking, streaming, serialization, asset loading, resource management, platform abstraction, physics integration, rendering integration, tools, build systems, or data pipelines.
• Willing and able to travel occasionally for meetings, demonstrations, integration events, or partner engagements.
• Able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Experience as a systems programmer, engine programmer, platform programmer, rendering programmer, tools programmer, physics programmer, networking programmer, or core technology programmer in the game industry.
• Experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary, in-house, open-source, or custom real-time 3D engine technology.
• Experience with physics modeling, distributed simulation, multiplayer networking, state synchronization, deterministic simulation, scenario systems, terrain systems, geospatial visualization, or simulation-based training systems.
• Experience building tools, asset pipelines, debugging utilities, automated tests, build systems, or workflows used by engineers, analysts, designers, artists, or other technical users.
• Hold an active Secret clearance.

About Us

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area.

Pay

Minimum Rate $85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate $195,000 Annually

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and flexible spending accounts.
• Education assistance and training and development.
• Bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation.
• Sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.