Senior Programmer (AI, Engine, Rendering, UI)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Programmer (AI, Engine, Rendering, UI)

Company: NBCUniversal

Location: Avenue du Parc, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Software Engineering / Game Development Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: 6-8+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role involves the design, implementation, and maintenance of core systems within Unreal Engine, focusing on critical areas such as gameplay, visuals, artificial intelligence (AI), and user interface (UI).

• You will be responsible for developing performance-critical systems, requiring deep expertise in C++ and Unreal Engine's internal architecture.

• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (designers, artists, other engineers) is essential to ensure features are scalable, maintainable, and production-ready across various platforms.

• The position requires a strong understanding of real-time systems development, with a focus on optimization for performance, memory usage, and scalability.

• You will mentor junior programmers, contribute to technical discussions, and help shape the overall technical direction and architecture of game projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a senior-level programming position within the game development sector of NBCUniversal, specifically focused on Unreal Engine development. While the title mentions AI, Engine, Rendering, and UI, the core responsibilities indicate a need for deep specialization in at least one of these areas, while maintaining a broad understanding of engine systems. The "Operations" aspect is interpreted through the lens of maintaining and optimizing core game engine systems, ensuring their stability, performance, and scalability within a production environment. This is distinct from traditional business operations but shares principles of efficiency, process, and system management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain robust engine-level systems, including memory management, threading, streaming, and platform abstraction for optimal performance and scalability.

• Develop and optimize rendering systems, shaders, materials, lighting, and post-processing effects to achieve high-fidelity visuals within strict performance budgets.

• Implement advanced AI systems utilizing behavior trees, state machines, and decision-making frameworks to create intelligent and engaging NPC behaviors.

• Build and integrate complex user interfaces (HUDs, menus, in-game tools) using Unreal Engine's UMG/Slate frameworks, ensuring seamless interaction with gameplay and data systems.

• Translate technical requirements and design specifications into clean, efficient, and well-documented C++ code, adhering to team coding standards and best practices.

• Conduct thorough performance analysis, profiling, and optimization across various platforms to identify and resolve bottlenecks in CPU, GPU, memory, and I/O.

• Debug complex cross-system issues, ensuring stability and reliability throughout the development lifecycle and during critical production milestones.

• Collaborate closely with design, art, and production teams to ensure seamless integration of features and to provide technical insights that inform design decisions.

• Mentor junior programmers, providing technical guidance, conducting code reviews, and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

• Stay abreast of Unreal Engine updates, new features, and industry best practices in real-time development, applying this knowledge to enhance project development.

• Contribute to technical discussions regarding architecture, workflows, and long-term technical strategy, influencing the technical direction of projects.

• Participate in playtests and reviews to identify issues, edge cases, and opportunities for system improvement and enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities are detailed and cover all specializations mentioned in the job title. The emphasis on "systems" (engine systems, rendering systems, AI systems, UI systems) highlights a focus on foundational, scalable components rather than isolated features. The mention of "performance, memory usage, and scalability" across all specializations underscores the operational aspect of ensuring efficient and robust system design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: Minimum of 6-8 years of professional game programming experience, with a proven track record of shipping titles or equivalent production experience. Direct, hands-on experience with Unreal Engine is a mandatory requirement.

Required Skills:

• Strong proficiency in C++ programming, with extensive experience in developing complex systems.

• Deep, professional experience working with Unreal Engine, including its core features relevant to the chosen specialization (Engine, Rendering, AI, or UI).

• Solid understanding of real-time systems development principles, with a strong grasp of performance, memory management, and scalability considerations.

• Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills for complex runtime systems and engine-level issues.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including designers, artists, and other engineers.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with a proactive approach to technical ownership and problem resolution.

• Experience with version control systems such as Perforce or Git, essential for collaborative development workflows. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working on AAA or large-scale game productions, demonstrating ability to handle complex projects.

• Experience in optimizing systems for performance and memory usage across multiple platforms (PC, consoles, mobile).

• Familiarity with Unreal Engine source code and the ability to perform engine-level customization and debugging.

• Experience mentoring or providing technical support to other engineers.

• Strong understanding of gameplay systems, game design principles, and player experience.

• Passion for building scalable, high-quality systems in real-time environments.

• Specific experience within the chosen specialization (e.g., advanced shader programming for Rendering, complex AI algorithms for AI, UMG/Slate expertise for UI, or low-level engine systems for Engine specialization).

📝 Enhancement Note: The required and preferred skills are directly derived from the "Qualifications" section of the job description. The "strong proficiency in C++" and "Unreal Engine" are highlighted as core requirements, reflecting the technical backbone of the role. The experience level (6-8 years) and the "shipped titles" requirement suggest a need for candidates with a demonstrated history of successful project delivery, crucial for senior roles in game development. The inclusion of version control systems is standard for collaborative engineering roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable C++ projects showcasing complex system design and implementation, particularly within a real-time or game development context.

• Specific examples of Unreal Engine projects (personal or professional) that highlight expertise in one of the specialization areas: Engine, Rendering, AI, or UI.

• Case studies detailing the process of identifying, analyzing, and resolving performance bottlenecks or complex bugs within a system.

• Evidence of contributions to scalable and maintainable codebases, with clear explanations of architectural decisions and their impact. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you have documented technical designs, system architectures, or complex algorithms to facilitate team understanding and maintainability.

• Demonstrations of your approach to debugging and problem-solving, perhaps through code walkthroughs or explanations of challenging issues you have overcome.

• Insights into your workflow for optimizing systems, including methodologies used for profiling, analysis, and iterative improvement.

• Examples of how you have collaborated with designers and artists, documenting the process of integrating technical solutions with creative assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is a programming role, a traditional "operations portfolio" might not be standard. However, for a senior programmer, a portfolio would typically consist of demonstrable code samples, personal projects, or contributions to open-source projects that showcase their technical skills, system design capabilities, and problem-solving approaches. The emphasis here is on showcasing practical application of C++ and Unreal Engine, especially within the specialized areas. The "process documentation" aspect relates to how candidates can articulate their engineering thought process and methodologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Programmers with 6-8+ years of experience in game development specializing in Unreal Engine, particularly in a high-cost-of-living city like Montréal, the estimated annual salary range is CAD $100,000 - $150,000. This range can vary based on the specific specialization, candidate's full experience, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., RRSP matching).

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, conferences, and workshops.

• Access to NBCUniversal's extensive entertainment benefits, such as employee discounts on theme park tickets, movie screenings, and merchandise.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options.

• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. However, given the nature of game development, periods of extended work hours may be required to meet production milestones and deadlines. Flexibility may be offered depending on team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimations are based on industry data for senior game programmers in major Canadian tech hubs like Montréal. Benefits are typical for large entertainment corporations like NBCUniversal and are tailored to attract and retain specialized technical talent. The working hours note acknowledges the common reality of crunch time in game development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media and Entertainment, with a significant presence in interactive entertainment and gaming through technology development. NBCUniversal is a global leader, encompassing film, television, theme parks, and digital content.

Company Size: NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, a very large enterprise with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. The specific game development team size is not specified but is likely to be substantial given the scope of Unreal Engine development.

Founded: NBCUniversal was formed in 2004 through the merger of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, and later acquired by Comcast in 2011. Its legacy in media and entertainment spans decades.

Team Structure:

• The programming team is likely structured around specialized disciplines such as Engine, Rendering, AI, and UI, with senior programmers leading development within these areas.

• A hierarchical reporting structure is expected, with senior programmers potentially leading small teams or specific feature development efforts, reporting to a Lead Programmer or Engineering Manager.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, with engineers working closely with game designers, artists, technical artists, QA testers, and producers to bring projects to life. Methodology:

• Development likely follows an agile or iterative methodology, emphasizing rapid prototyping, playtesting, and continuous feedback loops to refine gameplay and technical systems.

• A strong focus on data-driven development and performance analysis to ensure optimal player experience and technical stability across all target platforms.

• Emphasis on code quality, maintainability, and robust system design to support long-term project development and future iterations.

Company Website: https://www.nbcuniversal.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is derived from the provided LinkedIn data and general knowledge of NBCUniversal. The "Operations" context here relates to the operational efficiency of the game development process itself – how teams are structured, methodologies are applied, and systems are managed to deliver a high-quality product.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Programmer role, indicating a high level of technical expertise and responsibility. Senior engineers are expected to be self-sufficient, capable of tackling complex technical challenges independently, and often take on leadership responsibilities for specific technical domains or smaller teams.

Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a Lead Programmer or Engineering Manager who oversees the technical direction of a specific game project or a broader engineering department. You will also collaborate closely with game designers, artists, and producers.

Operations Impact: Your work will directly impact the technical foundation and performance of NBCUniversal's interactive entertainment products. By optimizing core engine systems, rendering, AI, and UI, you will significantly contribute to the player experience, visual fidelity, and overall success of the games developed. This includes ensuring the games are stable, performant, and scalable across target platforms, which is critical for commercial success and brand reputation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise within your chosen specialization (Engine, Rendering, AI, UI) or expand knowledge into adjacent areas.

• Technical Leadership: Progress into roles such as Lead Programmer, Technical Director, or Architect, where you will guide technical strategy and mentor larger teams.

• Cross-Disciplinary Experience: Gain exposure to other areas of game development, potentially moving into specialized roles focused on tools development, engine architecture, or even technical production.

• Management Track: Transition into engineering management roles, focusing on team leadership, project planning, and process improvement.

• Industry Exposure: Work on high-profile AAA titles that reach a global audience, providing significant professional accomplishment and industry recognition.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis focuses on career progression within a game development engineering context. The "Operations" aspect is viewed through the lens of career path management and the operational efficiency of an individual's growth within a large organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This position is based on-site in Montréal, Québec. The office environment is likely a modern, collaborative workspace designed for creative and technical professionals.

Office Location(s): Avenue du Parc, Montréal, Québec, Canada. This location places the office within a vibrant urban center, known for its thriving tech and gaming industry.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect an open or semi-open office layout designed to foster communication and collaboration among team members. Dedicated meeting rooms and breakout spaces will be available for focused discussions and team syncs.

• Tools and Technology: Access to high-performance workstations, development hardware, and the latest software tools, including specialized debugging and profiling hardware/software relevant to game development.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for interaction with fellow programmers, designers, artists, and producers, facilitating a dynamic and integrated development process.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. However, the game development industry is known for periods of intense work ("crunch time") leading up to major milestones and release dates. While the company aims for a sustainable work-life balance, occasional extended hours may be necessary to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description assumes a typical modern game development studio environment in a major city. The "work environment" is framed in terms of operational support for productivity and collaboration, which is key for engineering teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application, resume, and portfolio for relevant experience and technical skills.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect one or more in-depth technical interviews focusing on C++ programming concepts, Unreal Engine architecture, and your chosen specialization (AI, Engine, Rendering, or UI). These may involve live coding challenges, system design questions, and deep dives into your past projects.

• Code Review/Portfolio Presentation: You may be asked to present and discuss specific projects from your portfolio, explaining your technical contributions, design decisions, and problem-solving approaches. Emphasis will be placed on your understanding of performance, scalability, and maintainability.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: An interview with potential team members to assess your collaboration skills, communication style, and how well you align with the team's culture and NBCUniversal's values.

• Final Interview: A final discussion with senior leadership to confirm your fit for the role and discuss compensation and logistics.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Specialization: Clearly highlight projects that demonstrate your expertise in AI, Engine, Rendering, or UI within Unreal Engine.

• Code Quality: Ensure your code samples are clean, well-commented, and follow best practices. For larger projects, provide detailed documentation or a README explaining the architecture and your contributions.

• Problem-Solving: Be prepared to discuss specific technical challenges you faced and how you overcame them, focusing on your thought process, debugging strategies, and optimization techniques.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your work, e.g., "improved rendering performance by X%," "reduced AI memory footprint by Y MB," or "streamlined UI development time by Z%."

• Unreal Engine Depth: Demonstrate a deep understanding of Unreal Engine's systems, not just its surface-level features. Discuss your experience with its source code, core modules, and optimization tools.

Challenge Preparation:

• C++ Fundamentals: Brush up on advanced C++ concepts, including memory management, object-oriented design, templates, and concurrency.

• Unreal Engine Specifics: Review Unreal Engine's core systems (e.g., GameThread, RenderThread, Task Graph, UObject system, memory allocator) and features related to your specialization.

• Algorithmic Thinking: Practice problem-solving and algorithmic challenges, as you may encounter these in live coding sessions.

• System Design: Be ready to discuss how you would design complex systems from scratch or improve existing ones, considering scalability, performance, and maintainability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a senior programming role in game development, emphasizing technical depth and portfolio presentation relevant to Unreal Engine and specialized areas.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Unreal Engine: The core development environment. Deep expertise in a specific version or multiple versions is expected, depending on the specialization.

• C++: The primary programming language for engine and gameplay development.

• Version Control Systems: Perforce or Git for source code management and collaboration.

• IDEs: Visual Studio (Windows) or Xcode (macOS) for C++ development.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Unreal Engine Profiling Tools: Tools like Unreal Insights, GPU Visualizer, and Memory Profiler for performance analysis and debugging.

• Custom Debugging Tools: Development of or proficiency with internal debugging tools specific to the project or engine.

• Performance Metrics Trackers: Systems for logging and analyzing performance data across different builds and platforms.

CRM & Automation:

• Bug Tracking Systems: Jira, Asana, or similar tools for tracking bugs, tasks, and project progress.

• Build Systems: Experience with Unreal Engine's build system and potentially custom build pipelines.

• Scripting Languages: Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python) for tool development or automation tasks may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is derived from the job description's emphasis on Unreal Engine, C++, and common game development practices. This section is crucial for operations professionals to understand the technical environment they would be working in.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to writing high-quality, robust, and efficient code, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in real-time development.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve common goals.

• Innovation & Problem-Solving: A culture that encourages creative solutions to complex technical challenges and embraces new technologies and methodologies.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to learning, adapting, and consistently refining processes, systems, and personal skills to enhance productivity and product quality.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for assigned systems and features, seeing them through from design to implementation and ongoing maintenance.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Engineers are expected to work seamlessly with designers and artists, translating creative visions into functional game systems and ensuring technical feasibility.

• Feedback-Driven: An open culture where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged through code reviews, design discussions, and playtest analysis to improve the product.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing technical insights, best practices, and solutions through internal documentation, presentations, and mentorship.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are inferred from NBCUniversal's general corporate messaging and the specific demands of a senior technical role in game development, focusing on aspects relevant to operational efficiency and team dynamics.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Performance Optimization: Constantly balancing visual fidelity and feature complexity with stringent performance targets across multiple platforms, requiring deep optimization skills.

• System Complexity: Managing and developing highly complex, interconnected systems (Engine, AI, Rendering, UI) where changes can have far-reaching implications.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: Adapting to fast-paced development cycles and evolving project requirements while maintaining code stability and quality.

• Cross-Platform Development: Ensuring systems are robust and performant across diverse hardware and operating systems.

• Mentorship: Effectively guiding and mentoring junior engineers while managing personal workload and technical responsibilities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Unreal Engine Training: Access to specialized training on new Unreal Engine features, engine architecture, and optimization techniques.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend major game development conferences (e.g., GDC) to learn from industry leaders and network with peers.

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in areas like advanced graphics programming, AI algorithms, engine internals, or UI frameworks.

• Leadership Development: Programs and opportunities to develop leadership skills, preparing for roles such as Lead Programmer or Engineering Manager.

• Exposure to AAA Projects: Working on high-profile, large-scale projects that offer unique technical challenges and significant learning experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section identifies potential challenges inherent in senior game development roles and outlines how the company might support professional growth, framing these as operational aspects of career development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Technical Design: "Describe how you would design a new AI system for enemy pathfinding in a large, open-world environment, considering performance and scalability." (Focus on breaking down the problem, choosing appropriate algorithms, and discussing trade-offs.)

• Problem-Solving: "You've identified a significant frame rate drop in a specific area of the game. Walk me through your process for diagnosing and resolving this performance bottleneck." (Emphasize systematic debugging, profiling tools, and iterative optimization.)

• Collaboration & Ownership: "Describe a time you had a technical disagreement with a designer or artist. How did you resolve it, and what was the outcome?" (Highlight communication skills, empathy, and focus on project goals.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at NBCUniversal and specifically on our game development projects?" (Research NBCUniversal's entertainment portfolio and its gaming initiatives.)

• "How do you approach mentoring junior engineers and contributing to a positive team environment?" (Showcase leadership potential and collaborative spirit.)

• "What are your thoughts on the current state of real-time rendering or AI in games, and where do you see it evolving?" (Demonstrate passion and forward-thinking.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by specialization or project type. For each project, clearly state your role, the technologies used (especially Unreal Engine and C++), and your specific contributions.

• Deep Dives: Be prepared to do a deep dive into 1-2 key projects. Walk the interviewer through the code, explain architectural decisions, highlight challenges overcome, and quantify any performance improvements or impact.

• Visuals: If applicable, use screenshots, videos, or live demos to illustrate your work, especially for rendering or UI specializations.

• Focus on Process: Beyond the final result, explain your development process, your debugging strategies, and how you approached optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are tailored for a senior engineering role, focusing on technical depth, problem-solving, collaboration, and the ability to articulate one's contributions and thought processes effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Programmer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest projects that best showcase your C++ and Unreal Engine expertise, emphasizing your chosen specialization (AI, Engine, Rendering, or UI). Ensure code samples are clean, well-documented, and easily accessible (e.g., GitHub, personal website).

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 6-8+ years of professional game programming experience, specifically detailing your work with Unreal Engine and C++. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., performance improvements, shipped titles).

• Prepare for Technical Deep Dives: Review advanced C++ concepts, Unreal Engine architecture, and specific technologies related to your specialization. Be ready to discuss your portfolio projects in detail and answer complex technical questions.

• Research NBCUniversal: Understand the company's broader media and entertainment landscape, as well as its approach to interactive entertainment. Familiarize yourself with their values and culture to articulate your fit during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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