---
title: 'Server Engineer - NBA 2K (Onsite) at Visual Concepts'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/server-engineer-nba-2k-onsite-visual-concepts-irvine-arb6fp6285fe'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-03'
---

# Server Engineer - NBA 2K (Onsite) at Visual Concepts

- **Company:** Visual Concepts
- **Location:** Irvine, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-11-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-03
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/visualconcepts/jobs/8046876003

## Job description

At Visual Concepts, we believe great games are made by diverse and empowered teams with a shared passion for play. As one of the world’s top game development studios, we have shipped over 100 multi-sku titles to critical acclaim and commercial success. Our teams are independent and ambitious. Our studios in Novato, Irvine, Budapest, Shanghai, Austin, Boise, Seoul and Parksville, Canada are committed to artistry and ground breaking technology, offering top candidates the opportunity to learn and grow with some of the hardest working and most creative minds in the industry.

What We Need:

We’re seeking a Engineer with a passion for server-side development to join the NBA 2K team! In this role, you’ll take ownership across a broad technical landscape- working in distributed systems, large-scale computing, and efficient databases to build high-performance backend services. Your work will play a key role in delivering world-class online experiences that power one of the most popular sports game franchises in the world. This role reports into Lead Director of Programming.

What You Will Do:

- Work in the backend architecture and services that support NBA 2K’s online features
- Design and optimize distributed systems to ensure scalability, reliability, and fault tolerance
- Build and maintain large-scale computing solutions that handle millions of concurrent players
- Develop efficient database structures and queries to support high-volume, real-time transactions
- Deliver high-performance backend services with a focus on low latency and stability
- Partner with engineering and design teams to enable seamless online gameplay experiences.

Who Will Be A Great Fit:

- 3+ years of professional software development experience, with a strong focus on backend and server-side systems
- Strong proficiency in C++ with a solid understanding of object-oriented programming principles
- Proficiency in one or more scripting languages such as Python, javascript/typescript, Perl, or Ruby, with a strong preference for Python and javascript
- Understanding of distributed and scalable systems
- Proven experience with multithreaded programming, driving efficiency and stability across large-scale, real-time environments
- Demonstrated ability to research, evaluate, and integrate emerging technologies and trends to enhance team capabilities, platform performance, and product innovation
- BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience in large-scale software development
- Experience developing secure transaction systems, including virtual currency and account-based features, a strong plus
- Skilled in database optimization, including connection management and query performance tuning
- Familiarity with online gaming architectures and service design for live, connected player experiences
- Working knowledge of SQL databases such as MySQL, PostgresSQL, or similar systems
- Video game console development experience is highly beneficial
- Love for video games (not just ours!)

The pay range for this position in Irvine, California at the start of employment is expected to be between $102,900 and $137,200 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. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

To learn more about Visual Concepts and our studio locations, check out our website at www.vcentertainment.com

## About Visual Concepts

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Visual Concepts is a leading video game development studio best known for creating the NBA 2K, WWE 2K, and LEGO 2K Drive franchises.
- **Entity Type**: Public (wholly owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., NASDAQ: TTWO, operating under the 2K publishing label)
- **Headquarters**: Novato, California, United States
- **Founded**: 1988
- **Founders**: Not publicly available

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Video game development (computer games)
- **Target Customers**: B2C – gamers worldwide, across console, PC, and mobile platforms
- **Mission Statement**: “Make great games that put the player first” – continuously pushing the envelope of what’s next in interactive entertainment.

## Products & Services
- **NBA 2K Series**: Flagship annual basketball simulation franchise, launched in 2000, known for its realism, deep career modes, and online play.
- **WWE 2K Series**: Professional wrestling simulation game, featuring extensive roster, creation tools, and story modes.
- **LEGO 2K Drive**: Open-world arcade racing game combining LEGO building mechanics with driving, released in 2023.
- **Other 2K Sports Titles**: Previous work on MLB 2K, NHL 2K, and other sports games.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed separately; parent company Take-Two Interactive has a market cap of approximately $30B (as of mid-2026).
- **Key Metric**: Revenue not publicly available at studio level; total funding not applicable (subsidiary).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company Take-Two Interactive; publishing label 2K; partners include the NBA, WWE, and LEGO Group.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - 477 employees as of mid-2026 (+1.3% YoY)
  - Operates studios in Novato (HQ), Irvine, Austin, Budapest, Shanghai, Seoul, and more
  - Acquired HookBang in 2021 to boost engineering talent
  - Continues to expand its global footprint with studios in China and Hungary

## Competitive Advantages
- **Longevity & IP Ownership**: Over 35 years of game development, owning or licensing some of the most valuable sports entertainment IPs (NBA, WWE).
- **Multi-Studio Model**: Studios across the US, Europe, and Asia allow for 24/7 development cycles and access to diverse talent pools.
- **Technical Excellence**: Deep expertise in Unreal Engine, Unity, custom engines, and advanced graphics (e.g., AI-driven animation, photogrammetry).
- **Track Record**: Consistent annual releases with high Metacritic scores and strong commercial performance.

## Strategic Focus
- **Innovation in Sports Gaming**: Investing in AI, machine learning, and real-time rendering to make NBA 2K and WWE 2K more immersive.
- **Expanding Franchises**: Growing the LEGO 2K series and exploring new IP under the 2K umbrella.
- **Global Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring in Shanghai, Novato, and other studios to strengthen engineering, art, and design teams.
- **Player-Centric Design**: Emphasizing community feedback and live-service models to extend game longevity.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “More freedom to do what you do best” – the studio emphasizes giving employees tools, technology, and autonomy to produce their best work. LinkedIn rating of 4.2/5 (71 reviews) with positive marks for work-life balance (4.0), culture (4.1), and career growth (3.7).
- **Work Policy**: Not explicitly stated as remote/hybrid; locations include on-site studios. Some roles may offer flexibility.
- **Perks & Engineering Culture**: Access to cutting-edge tech stacks (Unreal Engine, Unity, AWS, Python, C++, etc.). Collaboration with top talent from EA, Blizzard, Lucasfilm, and more. Opportunities to work on globally recognized franchises.

## Sources
1. [Official Website](https://vcentertainment.com/)
2. [Careers Page (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/visualconcepts)
3. [LinkedIn Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/visual-concepts)
4. [Studios Page](https://vcentertainment.com/studios/)

## Other roles at Visual Concepts

- [Senior Server Engineer - NBA 2K](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-server-engineer-nba-2k-visual-concepts-irvine-k53v5sda9mqn) — Irvine, CA
- [Animator - NBA 2K (Temp)](https://feeny.ai/job/animator-nba-2k-temp-visual-concepts-novato-43fdqzq33fbv) — Novato, CA
- [Lead Engineer, Dev Ops - WWE 2K](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-engineer-dev-ops-wwe-2k-visual-concepts-california-1jysmyn8byac) — California, United States
- [Graphics Engineer - NBA 2K](https://feeny.ai/job/graphics-engineer-nba-2k-visual-concepts-novato-x6vbd0we9dds) — Novato, CA
- [Senior Engineer, Server – NBA 2K](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-server-nba-2k-visual-concepts-novato-h8jg0t4s0dzq) — Novato, CA