Founded in 2023, 2K Sports Lab 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 NeedWe’re looking for a Principal Online Software Engineer to define the architecture and technical direction of our multiplayer platform and backend services. You’ll bring deep cloud expertise and Unreal Engine 5 experience to build secure, scalable, and resilient systems for a AAA sports title. This role combines hands-on technical mastery with leadership and mentorship across the engineering organization.
What You Will Do● Architect scalable backend services and real-time multiplayer infrastructure
● Collaborate on technical direction for online systems across the studio
● Drive architectural decisions spanning UE5 and custom game servers
● Lead security practices including service hardening and anti-cheat strategy
● Mentor and guide engineers across teams and experience levels
● Establish engineering standards and best practices for online systems
● Partner with studio leadership to align technical and product strategy
● Evaluate and mitigate technical risks across the product lifecycle
What Will Make You A Great Fit● 10+ years of software engineering experience in game development
● Mastery of C++, Go, and Python
● Deep expertise designing secure, scalable cloud-based backend services
● Experience with Unreal Engine 5 networking and replication systems
● Experience with customizing and optimizing UE Dedicated Servers
● Strong leadership, mentorship, and communication skills across disciplines
● Ability to drive technical direction and alignment across teams
● Openness to people management responsibilities as the team grows
● Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
Beneficial Qualifications● Experience with AWS, GCP, Kubernetes, or infrastructure-as-code at scale
● Follows industry trends through research and conferences; speaking at events like GDC valued
● Track record of shipping AAA multiplayer titles in senior roles
● Passion for playing or watching sports
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.
The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between $139,300 and $206,140 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.
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What We Do
2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.
Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM.
At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We push ourselves creatively to do the best work of our careers. We’re direct, open, and you’ll probably meet some new best friends – along with their dogs – sitting nearby. In short, it’s kinda awesome.
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Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We are a blend of onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. Please refer to individual job descriptions for more details on location.
