Founded in 2023, Small Axe Studios is 2K’s newest stand-alone studio, built to push the boundaries of game development and bring 2K’s next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. Headquartered in Burnaby, we are assembling a world-class team of visionaries, builders, and passionate gamers who thrive on creative collaboration, technical excellence, and bold ideas. At Small Axe Studios, we believe big things start with sharp focus—and we’re crafting an exceptional, player-first experience from the ground up. If you’re ready to tackle unique challenges, leave your mark on a brand-new IP, and help shape the future of interactive sports entertainment, we want you on our team!
What We NeedWe’re looking for a Senior Online Software Engineer to help build the multiplayer backbone of our next AAA sports title. You’ll work across Unreal Engine 5 and custom game servers, partnering with designers, artists, and producers to create seamless connected experiences. We value technical depth, a collaborative mindset, and adaptability as our team and technology evolve together.
What You Will Do● Build real-time multiplayer experiences across UE5 and custom game servers
● Solve complex networking challenges like prediction, synchronization, and latency
● Partner with design, art, and production to shape online features
● Write clean, performant, and well-tested code
● Mentor team members and contribute to engineering culture
● Conduct code reviews to uphold quality and consistency
What Will Make You A Great Fit● 5+ years of software engineering experience in game development
● Proficiency in C++
● Strong understanding of Unreal Engine networking
● Professional experience developing features for large-scale, multiplayer games
● Knowledge of distributed server architectures and managing player transitions across server instances
● Familiarity with low-latency networking concepts such as Rollback, Lockstep, or Client-Side Prediction
● Excellent communication and collaboration skills across disciplines
● Adaptable and comfortable navigating a growing organization
● Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
Beneficial Qualifications● Hands-on experience with UE5 replication or custom netcode
● Track record of shipping AAA multiplayer titles
● Passion for playing or watching sports
The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between $96,400 and $142,660 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 this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
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.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of software engineering experience in game development
- Proficiency in C++
- Strong understanding of Unreal Engine networking
- Professional experience developing features for large-scale, multiplayer games
- Knowledge of distributed server architectures
- Familiarity with low-latency networking concepts
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience
2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is widely characterized as robust, with medical, dental, vision, mental-health support, and wellness programs frequently highlighted.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, sick time, holidays, and a companywide year‑end break are emphasized, with some roles noting discretionary time off and flexible/hybrid work.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave, fertility and family‑planning resources, and childcare support are repeatedly described as part of the package.
2K Insights
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.
