Gameplay / Combat Programmer

Lightfold Games · Atlanta, GA Lightfold is a creator-first entertainment studio bringing fans and creators together to build original worlds across animation, comics, games, and more. We believe great stories come from giving talented people the freedom, ownership, and support to do their best work, then inviting audiences to come along for the ride. Now, we’re building Lightfold Games . Come in on the ground floor, we're hiring to bring our 3D game development and asset production in-house and create a team that can help define not only this game, but what Lightfold Games becomes. These are hybrid positions based in Atlanta, GA (Old Fourth Ward) , with health benefits. We’re looking for collaborative, ambitious people who want the rare opportunity to get in early, help establish how a new studio works, and build something from the beginning. Our first game: building a co-op horde shooter with a stylized look tied to a 2D cartoon. We're hiring the full founding team at once, 11 roles in parallel, so we can move all 3D asset production in-house. We're hiring two Gameplay / Combat Programmers to build how the game actually plays: weapon handling, movement, and the zombie AI behind our horde encounters. Role Description This is a full-time, hybrid Gameplay / Combat Programmer role based in The Old Fourth Ward - Atlanta, GA, with flexibility for partial work from home. The programmer will design, implement, and maintain gameplay and combat systems, including core mechanics, player abilities, enemy behaviors, and progression features. Day-to-day work includes writing clean, efficient, and reusable code, integrating combat logic with animation, physics, and AI, and collaborating closely with designers, artists, and other engineers to refine player experience. The role also involves profiling and optimizing performance, debugging and resolving gameplay issues, and contributing to technical documentation and best practices. The ideal candidate is comfortable iterating quickly based on playtest feedback and helping ensure combat feels responsive, balanced, and engaging. Details Implement weapon and spray-mechanic systems that feel tight and responsive Build and tune player movement systems Develop zombie AI pathing and behavior for horde-scale encounters Work with design on combat balance and pacing Must Have Qualifications Shipped gameplay systems in Unreal Engine (C++ and/or Blueprints) A strong feel for third/first-person shooter combat tuning More Qualifications Experience with AI pathing/behavior systems at scale is a plus Strong foundation in Computer Science and Software Development, with the ability to apply core principles to gameplay and combat systems. Experience with Back-End Web Development or networked systems is a plus, especially for multiplayer or online combat features. Understanding of game design fundamentals, player feedback loops, and combat balance for action or RPG-style games. Experience with debugging, performance profiling, and optimization on PC and/or console platforms. Ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team, communicate technical concepts clearly, and work in a hybrid environment. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Game Development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. Previous shipped title experience or a strong portfolio demonstrating gameplay or combat programming is highly beneficial.