Programmer jobs in United Arab Emirates

Location: Abu Dhabi
Employment Type: Full-Time, On-site

We are looking for an experienced Lead Gameplay Programmer with strong expertise in Unreal Engine (UE4/UE5) and gameplay systems design. This role is responsible for leading the development of core gameplay mechanics, player controls, systems architecture, and game features for a high-quality AAA game project.

You will lead a team of gameplay engineers, set technical standards, and work closely with design, animation, and other engineering teams to deliver scalable, responsive, and high-performance gameplay for mobile and browser platforms.

This is a senior leadership role with clear ownership of gameplay feel, responsiveness, and depth.

• Lead, mentor, and guide a team of gameplay programmers.
• Define coding standards, best practices, and gameplay architecture.
• Work closely with game designers to turn creative ideas into solid, scalable gameplay systems.

• Design, build, and optimize gameplay mechanics, player systems, match logic, AI behaviors, and feature modules.
• Develop responsive player controls, camera systems, physics-based interactions, and gameplay frameworks.
• Create modular and reusable systems that support fast iteration and live updates.

• Work closely with Design, Animation, Tech Art, VFX, Engine, and QA teams.
• Integrate gameplay systems with animation blueprints, UI, networking layers, and engine-level features.
• Provide technical input during planning, prototyping, and production phases.

• Profile and optimize gameplay code for performance on mobile and browser platforms.
• Ensure gameplay systems are stable, scalable, and easy to maintain.
• Lead debugging efforts, performance reviews, and code quality checks throughout development.

• 10+ years of experience in gameplay programming.
• 3+ years in a senior or lead gameplay programming role.
• Expert-level C++ skills with deep knowledge of Unreal Engine gameplay frameworks (UE4/UE5).
• Proven experience shipping gameplay systems in live titles (mobile, PC, or console).
• Strong understanding of:
• Character movement and control systems
• Input handling
• Camera mechanics
• Animation integration
• Physics-based gameplay
• Strong experience working with designers to turn specs into polished gameplay.
• Deep knowledge of performance optimization, debugging, and profiling tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring skills.

• Experience with multiplayer gameplay systems or networked logic.
• Background in sports games or character-driven, physics-heavy gameplay.
• Familiarity with AI behavior trees, animation state machines, or ability systems.
• Experience with browser-based technologies or WebAssembly runtimes.
• Prior experience working on AAA or large-scale game productions.

• Lead gameplay development for a next-generation AAA Unreal Engine project.
• High ownership and direct impact on core gameplay, controls, and player experience.
• Work in a highly collaborative environment where engineering quality and design excellence matter.
• Competitive compensation and long-term growth opportunities.

Please note: This position is for one of Playdawn's clients, and successful candidates will be hired directly by the client, not by Playdawn.

Our client is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. They are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics. They believe that diversity fuels innovation and creativity, and they strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to shared success.