Senior Programmer - Mobile (Engine, Rendering, Tools, UI)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Programmer - Mobile (Engine, Rendering, Tools, UI)

Company: NBCUniversal

Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Game Development Operations (Engine/Platform Specialization)

Date Posted: June 23, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (6-8 years minimum professional experience)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Senior Programmer role focuses on the specialized development and optimization of Unreal Engine systems for mobile platforms (iOS and Android), demanding deep expertise in low-level engine architecture, rendering pipelines, development tools, and user interface implementation.

• The position requires a strong command of C++ and Unreal Engine, with a critical emphasis on understanding and working within the strict CPU, GPU, memory, and power constraints inherent to mobile hardware.

• Successful candidates will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex systems that ensure high performance, scalability, and quality across a diverse range of mobile devices, while also fostering efficient development workflows and rapid iteration cycles.

• This role involves a significant contribution to the technical direction of mobile development, including mentoring junior programmers and staying abreast of the latest Unreal Engine updates and mobile platform best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title includes "Operations" in the context of game development, this role is technical programming focused rather than traditional Revenue/Sales/Marketing Operations. The enhancement categorizes it as "Game Development Operations (Engine/Platform Specialization)" to reflect its deep involvement in the operational aspects of game engine and platform development for mobile.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain core engine-level systems within Unreal Engine for mobile platforms, focusing on areas such as memory management, threading, streaming, and platform abstraction.

• Develop and optimize rendering systems and features specifically for mobile GPUs, including shaders, materials, lighting, and post-processing, ensuring visual fidelity within performance budgets.

• Build and support tools that enhance mobile development workflows, including in-engine editor tools (C++, Slate) and external utilities (Python, C#) for asset processing, validation, and build automation.

• Design and implement user interface (UI) systems using UMG/Slate for mobile platforms, creating responsive and performant interfaces optimized for touch input and various screen resolutions.

• Translate complex design and technical requirements into clean, maintainable, and scalable C++ code, adhering to team standards and best practices for stability and rapid iteration.

• Profile, analyze, and debug performance issues across all specialized areas (engine, rendering, tools, UI) using Unreal Engine tools and mobile platform-specific profilers (e.g., Xcode Instruments, Android Profiling Tools).

• Optimize systems for CPU usage, GPU performance, memory footprint, startup time, load times, and power consumption across a wide spectrum of mobile devices.

• Collaborate closely with designers, artists, technical artists, and other engineers to seamlessly integrate systems and ensure a cohesive, high-quality player experience.

• Maintain and improve existing codebases to ensure stability during live-ops cycles and ongoing development, addressing complex runtime and platform-specific issues.

• Mentor junior programmers by providing technical guidance, conducting code reviews, and fostering a collaborative learning environment.

• Contribute actively to technical discussions regarding mobile architecture, scalability, performance strategies, and the adoption of new Unreal Engine features.

• Stay current with Unreal Engine updates, mobile platform advancements, and industry best practices to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities have been expanded to detail the specific tasks within each specialization (Engine, Rendering, Tools, UI) as outlined in the job description, emphasizing the "how" and "why" of each responsibility in the context of mobile game development operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Programmer role. Equivalent professional experience may be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6-8 years of professional game programming experience.

• Proven track record of shipping titles, with specific experience on mobile platforms (iOS and Android) being highly desirable.

• Professional, hands-on experience with Unreal Engine systems relevant to the chosen specialization (Engine, Rendering, Tools, or UI). Required Skills:

• Programming Language: Strong proficiency in C++.

• Game Engine: Deep experience developing systems within Unreal Engine.

• Mobile Platforms: Solid understanding of mobile platform constraints (CPU, GPU, memory, power, bandwidth) and their impact on development.

• Performance Analysis: Experience with profiling and debugging performance issues on mobile devices using tools like Xcode Instruments and Android Profiling Tools.

• Problem Solving: Excellent analytical and debugging skills for complex runtime systems and low-level issues.

• Version Control: Proficiency with version control systems such as Perforce or Git.

• Collaboration: Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.

• Code Quality: Ability to write clean, maintainable, scalable, and well-documented C++ code.

Preferred Skills:

• Unreal Engine Mobile Experience: Demonstrated experience shipping mobile titles specifically using Unreal Engine.

• Mobile Optimization: Experience optimizing systems across a wide range of mobile hardware configurations.

• Platform SDKs: Familiarity with iOS and Android SDKs and platform-specific performance characteristics.

• Mobile Workflows: Experience with mobile-specific development workflows (e.g., asset streaming, memory budgeting, live-ops support).

• Mentorship: Experience mentoring or guiding other engineers.

• Passion: A genuine passion for building high-quality, scalable, and performant mobile experiences.

• Specialization Specifics:

  • Engine: Memory management, threading, platform abstraction, engine source modifications.
  • Rendering: Shader development, material optimization, mobile GPU profiling, scalable rendering solutions.
  • Tools: C++, Slate, Editor frameworks, Python, C#, asset pipeline integration, automation scripts.
  • UI: UMG, Slate, responsive UI design, touch input optimization, UI/UX collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Education" section has been inferred based on industry standards for senior technical roles. Required and Preferred skills have been clearly delineated and expanded upon with specific examples relevant to each specialization, enhancing clarity for candidates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Unreal Engine Projects: Demonstrable projects built with Unreal Engine, showcasing your contributions to engine systems, rendering features, development tools, or UI implementation on mobile.

• Performance Optimization Case Studies: Examples detailing specific performance challenges encountered on mobile platforms and the technical solutions implemented, including metrics and observed improvements.

• Code Samples: Well-structured and commented C++ code samples that highlight your proficiency in Unreal Engine development and adherence to best practices.

• Tool Development Examples: If specializing in Tools, provide examples of custom tools, scripts, or editor extensions developed to streamline game development workflows.

• UI Implementation Examples: If specializing in UI, showcase examples of complex or performant UI systems developed for mobile, demonstrating responsiveness and effective use of UMG/Slate.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of contributions to designing or improving mobile development workflows, emphasizing iteration speed, efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Debugging & Profiling Reports: Samples or descriptions of how you approach debugging complex mobile issues and utilize profiling tools to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.

• Optimization Strategies: Documentation outlining your approach to optimizing game systems for the unique constraints of mobile hardware, including memory management, CPU/GPU usage, and power consumption.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section has been tailored to the specific technical nature of the role, focusing on tangible project outputs and process-oriented documentation that a Senior Programmer would typically present. The emphasis is on demonstrating practical application of skills and problem-solving methodologies.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Programmers with 6-8 years of experience in specialized game development roles in Montréal, Québec, the estimated annual salary range is CAD $100,000 - $140,000. This estimate accounts for the specialized skills in Unreal Engine, C++, and mobile optimization, as well as the cost of living in Montréal.

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).

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and access to learning resources.

• Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or stock options.

• Access to NBCUniversal's extensive entertainment and media benefits. Working Hours:

• Standard 40-hour work week.

• Occasional overtime may be required during critical project phases or crunch periods, common in game development.

• The role is on-site, requiring full-time presence at the Montréal office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on location (Montréal, Canada), experience level (Senior, 6-8 years), and the specialized nature of the role. Benefits have been extrapolated based on typical offerings for large tech/media companies like NBCUniversal.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media and Entertainment, with a significant focus on interactive entertainment and gaming through NBCUniversal's diverse portfolio.

Company Size: NBCUniversal is a large, global corporation, part of Comcast Corporation, employing tens of thousands of individuals worldwide. This scale offers stability, resources, and broad career opportunities.

Founded: NBCUniversal's roots trace back to the early 20th century, with its current form established through mergers and acquisitions, signifying a long-standing presence and evolution within the media landscape.

Team Structure:

• The mobile development team is likely part of a larger game development division, possibly within NBCUniversal's interactive or gaming arm.

• The team structure would typically involve specialized sub-teams for engine, rendering, tools, and UI, with Senior Programmers often leading technical efforts within their area.

• Reporting is likely to a Lead Programmer or Engineering Manager, with close collaboration across disciplines like design, art, and QA. Methodology:

• Agile Development: The team likely employs Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) to manage iterative development cycles, ensuring flexibility and rapid response to changes.

• Data-Driven Optimization: Emphasis on profiling, analytics, and performance metrics to guide optimization efforts and technical decisions.

• Code Review Culture: A strong emphasis on peer code reviews to maintain code quality, share knowledge, and ensure adherence to standards.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close partnerships with art, design, and QA to ensure seamless integration of features and a high-quality end product.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Company culture and team structure have been inferred based on NBCUniversal's profile as a major media and entertainment conglomerate with a presence in gaming, and standard practices within large game development studios.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Senior level within the technical programming track of game development. It signifies a high degree of technical expertise, the ability to independently own complex systems, and a capacity for mentoring junior engineers. It's a key position for driving technical excellence in mobile game development.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Programmer will typically report to a Lead Programmer or Engineering Manager who oversees the mobile development team. They will work closely with other senior engineers, technical leads, and project managers.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" role, this position has a significant impact on the operational success of mobile game titles. By optimizing performance, improving development workflows, and ensuring stability on diverse mobile hardware, this role directly contributes to:

• Player Experience: High-performing and stable games lead to better player retention and satisfaction.

• Development Efficiency: Efficient tools and robust engine systems reduce development time and cost.

• Market Reach: Optimization for a wide range of devices expands the potential player base.

• Live Operations: Stable systems are crucial for successful ongoing updates and monetization strategies.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Leadership: Progression to Lead Programmer, Technical Director, or Architect roles, taking on greater responsibility for technical vision and team management.

• Specialization Deepening: Becoming a subject matter expert in a specific area of engine, rendering, tools, or UI development.

• Cross-Disciplinary Roles: Opportunities to move into related areas like engine architecture, performance analysis, or even technical art.

• Management Track: Transitioning into engineering management, leading teams and overseeing project execution.

• Broader NBCUniversal Opportunities: Potential to move into other technology or development roles within the larger NBCUniversal or Comcast organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" section reframes the role's influence in terms relevant to operational success within the game development context, highlighting its contribution to efficiency, player experience, and market reach.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site at NBCUniversal's Montréal office, suggesting a professional studio environment. This typically includes collaborative workspaces, dedicated development areas, and potentially amenities common in tech and media companies.

Office Location(s): Avenue du Parc, Montréal, Québec, Canada. This location is in a vibrant urban setting, offering accessibility and proximity to various amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect a blend of open-plan areas for team interaction and more focused spaces for individual work, crucial for programming tasks.

• Development Tools: Access to high-performance workstations, development kits for mobile devices, and the necessary software licenses for Unreal Engine and related tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for frequent interaction with fellow programmers, designers, artists, and QA testers, fostering a dynamic and creative atmosphere.

• Studio Culture: Likely a fast-paced, creative, and collaborative environment typical of game development studios, with a strong emphasis on innovation and quality.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with a standard 40-hour work week.

• While the core hours are structured, the nature of game development can sometimes necessitate flexible hours or occasional overtime to meet project deadlines. The on-site requirement ensures team cohesion and direct collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the work environment is based on typical studio setups for game development companies and the provided location details, emphasizing collaboration and the tools available to programmers.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Application Screening: Initial review of resume and portfolio for essential qualifications, C++ and Unreal Engine experience, and mobile development focus.

2. Technical Screening/Phone Interview: A discussion with a recruiter or technical lead to assess core programming skills, understanding of mobile constraints, and alignment with the role's specialization. Expect questions on C++ fundamentals and Unreal Engine architecture.

3. Technical Interview(s)/On-site Interview: In-depth technical interviews, potentially including coding challenges or system design discussions focused on mobile optimization, engine systems, rendering, tools, or UI. You may be asked to walk through specific portfolio projects.

4. Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present selected projects from your portfolio, explaining your technical contributions, problem-solving approaches, and the impact of your work.

5. Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with potential team members and managers to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural alignment with NBCUniversal's values.

6. Final Decision: Offer extended based on overall performance across all interview stages.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Relevance: Curate projects that directly demonstrate your expertise in C++, Unreal Engine, and mobile development, aligning with the specialization you are applying for.

• Showcase Impact: For each project, clearly articulate your specific contributions, the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., performance improvements, efficiency gains).

• Code Quality: Ensure any code samples are clean, well-commented, and demonstrate robust programming practices.

• Performance Metrics: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use graphs, charts, or specific numbers to illustrate performance improvements or optimization successes.

• Mobile Constraints: Explicitly discuss how you addressed mobile-specific challenges (memory, CPU, GPU, power) in your projects.

• Presentation Clarity: Be prepared to clearly explain complex technical concepts in an understandable manner to both technical and non-technical interviewers.

Challenge Preparation:

• C++ Fundamentals: Review core C++ concepts, including memory management, object-oriented programming, templates, and standard library usage.

• Unreal Engine Architecture: Refresh your knowledge of Unreal Engine's core systems (rendering, memory, threading, subsystems) and its mobile-specific features.

• Mobile Optimization Techniques: Study common mobile performance bottlenecks and optimization strategies for CPU, GPU, memory, and power.

• Algorithm & Data Structures: Be prepared for algorithmic problems, especially those relevant to game development (e.g., pathfinding, spatial partitioning).

• System Design: Practice designing scalable and performant systems, considering mobile constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides a structured approach to the interview process, offering actionable tips for portfolio preparation and challenge readiness, tailored to a senior technical programming role in game development.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engine: Unreal Engine (primary focus).

• Programming Language: C++ (primary).

• Scripting Languages: Python, C# (for tools and automation).

• Version Control: Perforce, Git.

• Mobile Development Environments: Xcode (for iOS), Android Studio (for Android).

• Profiling Tools: Xcode Instruments, Android Profiling Tools, Unreal Engine Profiler.

• UI Frameworks: UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics), Slate (Unreal Engine UI framework).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for player analytics, understanding how to integrate systems that support data collection for performance monitoring and live ops is key.

• Familiarity with tools used for reporting performance metrics and debugging logs. CRM & Automation:

• Primarily focused on internal development tools and pipelines rather than CRM systems.

• Experience with build systems and automation pipelines for mobile game development is a plus.

• Integration: Understanding of how various systems (engine, tools, pipelines, platform SDKs) integrate is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack are directly derived from the job description's requirements and common practices in Unreal Engine mobile development. The emphasis is on the core programming and engine-specific tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values: (Interpreted from NBCUniversal's broader corporate values and the nature of game development)

• Innovation & Creativity: A drive to push boundaries and create groundbreaking entertainment experiences.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality products that meet rigorous standards, especially in performance and stability.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse teams work together effectively towards common goals.

• Inclusivity: Championing a diverse workforce and inclusive culture, reflecting the global audience.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A pragmatic approach to problem-solving, focusing on streamlined processes and impactful solutions, particularly critical for mobile development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional: Expect close collaboration with artists, designers, QA testers, and other engineers. This involves clear communication, constructive feedback, and a shared understanding of project goals.

• Mentorship-Driven: Senior members are expected to guide and support junior colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

• Process-Oriented: A focus on refining development processes, tools, and pipelines to improve iteration speed, reduce friction, and enhance overall efficiency.

• Data-Informed: Decisions are often informed by performance data, profiling results, and user feedback, leading to a pragmatic and results-oriented approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Team culture and values are extrapolated from NBCUniversal's stated corporate values and the specific demands of a senior technical role in a fast-paced game development environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Mobile Device Fragmentation: Supporting a wide range of devices with varying hardware capabilities, screen sizes, and OS versions presents a constant optimization challenge.

• Performance Constraints: Working within strict CPU, GPU, memory, and power budgets requires innovative solutions and meticulous optimization.

• Rapid Iteration Cycles: Balancing the need for deep technical work with the fast-paced demands of game development and live-ops.

• Debugging Complex Systems: Resolving intricate bugs that span multiple systems (engine, rendering, tools, UI) and platform-specific behaviors.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Continuously learning and adapting to new Unreal Engine versions, mobile hardware advancements, and evolving platform APIs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Unreal Engine Expertise: Deepen knowledge of Unreal Engine's advanced features, internal workings, and best practices for mobile.

• Cross-Specialization Learning: Gain exposure and potentially contribute to other areas of the mobile development pipeline (e.g., learning more about rendering if specializing in engine, or tools if in rendering).

• Mobile Platform Deep Dive: Become an expert in the intricacies of iOS and Android development, performance profiling, and platform-specific optimizations.

• Technical Leadership Training: Opportunities to develop leadership and mentoring skills through formal programs or on-the-job experience.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Access to events and training sessions focused on game development, Unreal Engine, and mobile technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the core responsibilities and the inherent difficulties of mobile game development. Growth opportunities are framed around career progression and skill enhancement within the specified domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex engine system you designed or significantly improved for a mobile title. What were the key challenges, and how did you address them?" (Focus on C++, Unreal Engine, mobile constraints, problem-solving).

• "Walk me through your process for profiling and optimizing a rendering feature on a low-end mobile device. What tools would you use, and what metrics would you prioritize?" (Focus on rendering specialization, performance analysis, mobile GPU).

• "Imagine you need to build a new tool to automate asset validation for mobile builds. What technologies would you consider, and what would be your design approach?" (Focus on tools specialization, scripting, workflow efficiency).

• "How would you approach designing a highly responsive and performant UI for a mobile game that needs to adapt to various screen resolutions and aspect ratios?" (Focus on UI specialization, UMG/Slate, user experience). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working at NBCUniversal and contributing to our mobile gaming initiatives?" (Show enthusiasm for the company and the specific role).

• "How do you approach mentoring junior engineers to ensure code quality and technical growth?" (Demonstrate leadership and collaborative skills).

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with artists or designers on a technically challenging feature. How did you ensure alignment and a successful outcome?" (Highlight cross-functional communication and problem-solving). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Presentation: Begin with an overview of your role and contributions, then dive into 1-3 key projects. For each project, clearly state the objective, your specific technical responsibilities, the challenges, your solutions (with code snippets or diagrams if appropriate), and the results (especially performance metrics).

• Quantify Your Impact: Use data to showcase your achievements. "Reduced load times by 15%" or "Optimized GPU usage by 20%" is more impactful than descriptive statements.

• Explain Your "Why": Be ready to explain the technical rationale behind your design choices and optimizations, demonstrating a deep understanding of the trade-offs involved.

• Tailor to Specialization: Emphasize projects and skills most relevant to the specialization you are applying for (Engine, Rendering, Tools, or UI).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your code, technical decisions, and problem-solving approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is structured to cover strategic, cultural, and practical aspects, with specific question examples and presentation tips tailored to a Senior Programmer role in game development, emphasizing the required technical depth.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Programmer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating your C++ and Unreal Engine expertise, with a clear focus on mobile development and optimization. Highlight contributions aligned with the specialization you are targeting (Engine, Rendering, Tools, or UI).

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as "Unreal Engine," "C++," "iOS," "Android," "Performance Optimization," and specific specialization terms. Quantify achievements and highlight shipped titles.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio projects, focusing on clearly articulating your technical contributions, the challenges you overcame, and the measurable impact of your work, especially regarding mobile performance.

• Research NBCUniversal: Familiarize yourself with NBCUniversal's gaming initiatives, recent mobile game releases, and company values to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

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

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