---
title: 'Senior Engine Programmer at thatgamecompany'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engine-programmer-thatgamecompany-united-states-bthpk0sccwmr'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-12'
---

# Senior Engine Programmer at thatgamecompany

- **Company:** thatgamecompany
- **Location:** United States
- **Compensation:** $165k–$223k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-09-23
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-12
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/thatgamecompany/6c476f5c-5283-43a1-ba3a-fbc08ce61a3d/application

**Skills:** C, C++, Game Engine Development, CPU Optimization, GPU Optimization, Cross-platform support, Netcode, Multithreading, Audio, Rendering, Porting custom engines to multiple platforms, Public code review

> Design, implement, and update core systems of a custom game engine for a live social game. Collaborate with artists and designers to gather requirements and iterate on features while monitoring and troubleshooting performance issues across CPU, GPU, and cross-platform support.

## Job description

Senior Engine Programmer Remote US & Canada only

thatgamecompany designs and develops artistically crafted, broadly accessible video games that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. We respect our players and want to contribute meaningful, enriching experiences that touch and inspire them. We seek talent that values integrity and personal growth within an environment of intense collaboration and experimentation. Our mission - create timeless entertainment that makes positive changes to the human psyche worldwide. If you’ve been wanting to have a positive impact on people’s lives and the creative challenges associated with doing something different and unique, then come help us shine brighter together. As a Senior Engine Programmer at thatgamecompany, you will be a highly valued member of a world-class Engine and Game Development team. For the right candidate, there are ample opportunities for fun engineering challenges: Performance (CPU and GPU), Cross-platform support, Netcode, Multithreading, Audio, and Rendering, just to name a few. You will be surrounded by knowledgeable peers who will be there to coach and mentor, as you grow into a highly impactful member of the team.

Must haves:

- Experience developing a game engine (at work, school, or as a personal project)
- 5+ years of technical engineering experience with C or C++
- Find the idea of working in a custom game engine more fun than working in a Big Engine™
- Demonstrated ability to execute longer-term projects in complicated code bases with multiple stakeholders.

Nice to haves:

- 5 to 10+ years of experience in game development or similar 3D media using C++
- Have a pet engine project or game (ideally with public code that we can view)
- Clear communication skills, ability to work closely with other high-caliber engineers and artists.

Responsibilities:

- Design, implement, and update core systems of the TGC game engine
- Collaborate closely with various disciplines, including artists, designers, and other engineers, to gather requirements, deliver and iterate on features
- Help monitor, identify and troubleshoot issues and inefficiencies to increase the overall effectiveness of the development team.

Perks:

- Paid Time Off, Holidays, and Two Weeks Winter Break
- Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job—there’s no waiting period before they kick in.
- Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
- Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
- Pre-tax wellness stipend
- Pre-tax work from home stipend
- Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
- Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Discount portal for everyday goods and services
- Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together
- Support for personal professional development

Please note: Include your portfolio link, if any. If not, please state what features you've worked on in that particular project. We also require you to take a test. Thank you! Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. or Canada. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. The salary range for this position is $164,500 USD to $222,500 USD annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the Company’s compensation practices. Employees in this position are eligible to participate in the Company’s standard employee benefit programs, which currently include the following: medical, dental, vision, 401k, and paid time off. Our base pay is benchmarked against regional market and industry data and is adjusted to reflect the cost of living in your specific geographic area.

#LI-Remote

## About thatgamecompany

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: thatgamecompany is an independent game studio dedicated to creating timeless, emotionally resonant interactive entertainment that inspires human connection worldwide.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately Held; last reported funding round in 2022 with $160M investment)
- **Headquarters**: Santa Monica, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2006 (founded on May 15, 2006)
- **Founders**: Jenova Chen, Kellee Santiago

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Video games / Interactive entertainment
- **Target customers**: B2C – broad audience of all ages and backgrounds; mobile, console, and PC gamers
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Create timeless entertainment that makes positive change to the human psyche worldwide.”

## Products & Services
- **[flOw (2007)](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)**: A downloadable game originally a Flash title, remade for PlayStation Network with enhanced visuals and multiplayer. Focuses on intuitive, meditative gameplay.
- **[Flower (2009)](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)**: A PS3 title where the player controls the wind to guide petals through landscapes. Evokes emotions of tranquility and wonder. Inducted into the Smithsonian’s permanent collection.
- **[Journey (2012)](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)**: Award-winning PS3 game about a pilgrim crossing a desert towards a mountain. Known for its anonymous multiplayer cooperation and emotional storytelling.
- **[Sky: Children of the Light (2019)](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)**: Free-to-play mobile/console/PC game (spiritual successor to Journey). Players explore magical realms, fly using capes, and meet other players. Available on iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Windows. Reached 100 million installations by May 2021. Chosen as Apple’s iPhone Game of the Year 2019.
- **Upcoming fifth game (in development)**: Described by founder Jenova Chen as “like a theme park” and “the most ambitious game I have built.”

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue – $17.8M (estimated 2025 data); Total Funding – $36.1M per LinkedIn (prior rounds) **plus** a $160M investment announced in March 2022 (with Pixar co-founder Edwin Catmull as advisor). (Sources conflict slightly; the $160M appears to be a later, larger round not reflected in the LinkedIn summary)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Benchmark (led Series A), Capital Today (led Series B), Edwin Catmull (advisor, former Pixar co-founder). Past partners include Sony Computer Entertainment (initial contract for three PlayStation Network games).
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 16% YoY to ~198 employees; operates across 15 countries; Sky continues to expand platforms (Windows early access April 2024); active job postings: 24 (yearly trend +4.3%). Announced a new game jam (“thatgamejam”) in June 2025 focused on creativity and emotion.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique emotional design philosophy**: Games are designed by first mapping out desired player emotions rather than mechanics, creating experiences rarely found in mainstream gaming.
- **Artistic credibility and legacy**: flOw, Flower, and Journey are critically acclaimed and exhibited in museums like the Smithsonian. The studio is recognized as a pioneer of art games.
- **Broad accessibility**: Games are intuitive, controller-friendly, and designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures.
- **Long-term relationship with a passionate community**: Sky has a dedicated player base with millions of installations, supported by live operations and regular content updates.
- **Creative autonomy**: The company prioritizes innovation over blockbuster financial pressure, enabling risk-taking on emotionally rich projects.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expanding Sky: Children of the Light** – continued platform releases, live content, and regional brand growth (e.g., dedicated brand managers for Indonesia, China).
- **Developing the next-generation title** – described as “the most ambitious” yet, with a theme-park-like scale.
- **Deepening AI and machine learning capabilities** – open positions for Senior Machine Learning Engineer and Full-stack Engineer (AI application focused) indicate investment in AI-driven gameplay or operations.
- **Fostering internal creativity** – initiatives like thatgamejam encourage experimentation across the studio.
- **Strengthening global presence** – operating in 15 countries with localized teams for publishing, support, and marketing.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: The studio describes itself as “compassionate, creative” and values “integrity and personal growth within an environment of intense collaboration and experimentation.” Employee rating on LinkedIn: 4.2/5.0 (11 reviews), with Culture score 4.3, Work-Life 4.2, Compensation 4.2, Career 4.1.
- **Remote/Hybrid/Office Policy**: Not explicitly stated in provided sources, but headquarters in Santa Monica, California is a physical studio. The company previously planned a second studio in SF Bay Area (cancelled due to COVID) and now operates distributed across 15 countries, suggesting flexible/remote options are possible.
- **Notable Perks & Engineering Culture**: Emphasis on “making magic” and pushing artistic boundaries; tech stack includes Kubernetes, Docker, Prometheus, Protobuf, Tableau, microservices, and GitHub. Employees come from top entertainment/tech companies (Pixar, Blizzard, Riot Games, Amazon, Unity, etc.), indicating a high-caliber peer group.
- **Growth Opportunity**: With 24 active job postings (including Engineering, AI, Art, Marketing, Data) and a yearly hiring trend +4.3%, the studio is expanding. Roles such as Senior Data Analyst, Senior Machine Learning Engineer, and 3D Environment Artist signal opportunities to work on flagship products.
- **Mission-driven work**: Opportunity to contribute to games that aim to make a positive impact on players’ lives and expand the emotional range of the medium.

## Sources
1. [thatgamecompany.com – Official Site, About, Careers, News](https://thatgamecompany.com/)
2. [thatgamecompany Careers Page](https://thatgamecompany.com/careers/)
3. [LinkedIn Company Profile for thatgamecompany](https://www.linkedin.com/company/thatgamecompany)
4. [Wikipedia – thatgamecompany](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThatGameCompany)
5. [thatgamecompany – Our History](https://thatgamecompany.com/our-history/)

## Other roles at thatgamecompany

- [IT Support Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/it-support-specialist-thatgamecompany-los-angeles-s9mfzmmxp6a9) — Los Angeles, CA
- [Staff Systems Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-systems-software-engineer-thatgamecompany-united-states-2xspsxd4nkfa) — United States
- [Game Engine Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/game-engine-engineer-thatgamecompany-shanghai-b7ge525n3wyc) — Shanghai, China
- [3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)](https://feeny.ai/job/3d-character-artist-mid-senior-thatgamecompany-united-states-hnr65zscpf8x) — United States
- [Build Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/build-engineer-thatgamecompany-united-states-188c9cwh2mnb) — United States
- [Technical Game Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-game-designer-thatgamecompany-shanghai-gm4tx8xkhkr4) — Shanghai, China
- [UGC & Creator Community Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/ugc-creator-community-specialist-thatgamecompany-shanghai-sfsxkhkb70sp) — Shanghai, China
- [IP & Experiential Marketing Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/ip-experiential-marketing-manager-thatgamecompany-shanghai-sqyjzh1vnj0e) — Shanghai, China
- [Senior/Principal Graphics Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-principal-graphics-engineer-thatgamecompany-united-states-7ds3q5qbpk3y) — United States
- [Senior Graphics Engineer,Shanghai](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-graphics-engineer-shanghai-thatgamecompany-shanghai-djy8f8bacxbt) — Shanghai, China