---
title: 'Expert Online Services Software Engineer at 2K'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/expert-online-services-software-engineer-2k-burnaby-e15sw852vzs5'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-19'
---

# Expert Online Services Software Engineer at 2K

- **Company:** 2K
- **Location:** Burnaby, Canada
- **Posted:** 2026-03-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/2k/jobs/7651054003

## Job description

## Who We Are

Founded in 2023, Small Axe  is the newest stand alone studio at 2K looking to push game development boundaries to bring 2K's next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. We're building a world-class team at our new Vancouver, BC location where our goal is to deliver an exceptional experience through bold ideas, technical excellence, and creative collaboration. We're seeking passionate and driven professionals across all areas of game development to help shape this ambitious vision. If you’re interested in tackling unique challenges and think you have what it takes to level up our team, we encourage you to apply!

## What We Need

We’re looking for an Expert Online Services SE to help architect and build the scalable multiplayer backbone of our next AAA sports title. As a recognized subject matter expert in online services, you will contribute to the technical direction for our backend platform and own large systems end-to-end, primarily developing custom backend services and, where it makes sense, bridging that work into Unreal Engine dedicated server and client code. You’ll partner with designers, artists, producers, and engineering leadership to create seamless connected experiences while elevating the engineers around you. We value deep technical expertise, a collaborative mindset, and adaptability as our team and technology evolve together.

## What You Will Do

- Architect, build, and own large-scale backend services that power our online features, from initial design through launch and live operations
- Set technical direction and engineering standards for our online services, influencing architecture and best practices across teams
- Lead technical planning for major online initiatives, producing technical designs, work breakdowns, and dependency analysis that enable execution across multiple engineers and teams
- Provide input on infrastructure cost modeling and capacity planning, such as projecting cloud costs from expected player populations
- Partner with design, art, production, and engineering leadership to shape online features, clearly articulating trade-offs between player experience, cost, and schedule
- Set the bar for clean, performant, and well-tested code through hands-on development and code and design reviews
- Mentor and coach engineers at all levels, contribute to hiring, and help shape our engineering culture
- Collaborate with publisher technology teams, platform partners, and external vendors on online infrastructure and services

What Will Make You A Great Fit

- 7+ years building backend services and online systems for games
- Expert proficiency in Go building production backend services
- Shipped and scaled live online services for millions of players
- Deep expertise in distributed, event-driven systems and networking protocols
- Proven technical leadership driving architecture and alignment across teams
- Production experience with AWS, Kubernetes, and relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL)
- Strong observability mindset, with hands-on experience building monitoring, alerting, and distributed tracing for production systems
- Solid grasp of CI/CD best practices, with experience designing pipelines that enable zero-downtime deployments
- Excellent communicator, comfortable navigating a growing organization
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience

Beneficial Qualifications

- Experience with Unreal Engine 5 (or similar engines), particularly dedicated server and client networking code in C++
- Proficiency in Python
- Experience modeling infrastructure costs and capacity for live services at scale
- Experience integrating with first-party platform online services (e.g., PlayStation Network, Xbox network, Steam)
- Passion for playing or watching sports

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts. The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between $114,300 and $169,140 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are provided  suitable accommodations to enjoy equal employment opportunities, including the ability to participate in the job application or interview process. Please contact us if you need an accommodation as part of your application process or otherwise have questions about the Company’s accommodation policy and review process.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.

## About 2K

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: 2K is a major video game publisher and developer, best known for iconic franchises like *NBA 2K*, *Borderlands*, *Civilization*, *BioShock*, *Mafia*, *WWE 2K*, and *XCOM*.
- **Entity Type**: Private subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive (public parent company, NASDAQ: TTWO)
- **Headquarters**: Novato, California, USA (with global offices across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia)
- **Founded**: January 25, 2005 (as a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive)
- **Founders**: Founded as a corporate entity by Take-Two Interactive; key early leaders included Christoph Hartmann (former President). Current President is David Ismailer.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Video game development and publishing (AAA, sports, and strategy games)
- **Target customers**: B2C (consumers/gamers globally across PC, console, and mobile platforms)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "We enable all gamers to build, connect, escape and dream big!" (from their official values page)

## Products & Services
- **NBA 2K Series**: Flagship basketball simulation franchise, released annually across console and PC.
- **Borderlands Series**: Acclaimed first-person shooter looter-shooter franchise.
- **Civilization Series**: Legendary turn-based strategy series (developed by Firaxis Games, a 2K studio).
- **BioShock Series**: Critically acclaimed narrative-driven first-person shooter series.
- **Mafia Series**: Open-world crime drama franchise.
- **WWE 2K Series**: Professional wrestling simulation franchise.
- **XCOM Series**: Tactical strategy franchise.
- **PGA Tour 2K Series**: Golf simulation franchise.
- **Top Spin Series**: Tennis simulation franchise (revived in 2024).
- **2K Foundations**: Social impact program that builds community and youth engagement programs, including refurbishing basketball courts globally.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: 2K is a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive. Take-Two's market cap is approximately **$30+ billion** (as of mid-2025), with 2K being one of its two core publishing labels alongside Rockstar Games.
- **Key Metric**: 2K is a private subsidiary; exact revenue is not disclosed separately. However, Take-Two Interactive’s total net revenue for fiscal year 2024 was approximately **$5.6 billion**, with 2K contributing a significant portion. The company employs approximately **4,000 people**.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company is Take-Two Interactive. Key development studio partners include Visual Concepts (NBA 2K), Firaxis Games (Civilization), Gearbox Software (Borderlands), and Hangar 13 (Mafia).
- **Growth Signals**: 2K has been actively expanding its development network, including the acquisition of Gearbox Software in 2024. The company continues to launch major franchise entries and invest in new IP. It has a growing presence in mobile gaming and live-service models.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Iconic IP Portfolio**: Owns some of the most valuable and long-running franchises in gaming (*NBA 2K*, *Borderlands*, *Civilization*, *BioShock*).
- **Massive Global Reach**: Games sell tens of millions of copies annually across all major platforms.
- **Strong Parent Backing**: As a core label of Take-Two, 2K has significant financial resources for marketing, development, and acquisitions.
- **Diverse Studio Network**: Operates a wide range of internal studios with specialized expertise (sports, strategy, action, RPG).
- **2K Foundations**: A unique social impact program that builds brand goodwill and community engagement.

## Strategic Focus
- **Franchise Expansion**: Continuing to grow its flagship franchises with annual releases, new entries, and expanded content.
- **Live Service & Engagement**: Deepening post-launch engagement through in-game events, battle passes, and microtransactions (especially in *NBA 2K*).
- **Mobile & New Platforms**: Expanding into mobile gaming and new platforms.
- **Studio Investment**: Acquiring and investing in top-tier development talent (e.g., Gearbox).
- **Technology & AI**: Investing in R&D for game engines, AI, and data science to improve game quality and player experiences (evidenced by job postings for AI R&D, data science, and Unreal Engine roles).

## Why Work Here
- **Work on Iconic Franchises**: Opportunity to contribute to some of the most beloved and best-selling game series in the world.
- **Culture**: Described as a blend of "NYC roots with a Northern California vibe," with a focus on being direct, open, and friendly. The company emphasizes "Come As You Are" and "Give a ^%$*" as core values.
- **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: 2K has a hybrid work model. Many roles are listed with specific locations (Novato, Los Angeles, Montreal, Bengaluru, etc.), but some positions offer remote flexibility.
- **Notable Perks**: Located in a unique headquarters (converted airplane hangars in Novato, CA) near hiking, biking trails, and wine country. The company also runs a motion capture studio in Petaluma, CA.
- **Engineering Culture**: Strong emphasis on technical innovation, with dedicated teams for AI R&D, Core Tech/Tools, Data Science, and Online Services. Many job postings focus on Unreal Engine, data engineering, and systems architecture.
- **Social Impact**: Employees can participate in 2K Foundations, which refurbishes basketball courts and builds community spaces globally.

## Sources
1. [2k.com/careers/](https://2k.com/careers/)
2. [2k.com/about/](https://2k.com/about/)
3. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/2k](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/2k)
4. [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2K_(company)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2K_(company))

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