Senior Gameplay Engineer

About Nexon

Nexon America is a branch of Nexon Co., Ltd., a global video game publisher and leading developer of online virtual worlds for PCs, consoles, and mobile devices. Nexon proudly offers celebrated franchises like MapleStory and Mabinogi that have been enjoyed by millions of players for over two decades. When we founded our Nexon America branch in 2006, we made it our goal to bring those unique games to western players using a player-first approach. We achieve that goal by applying our team’s outstanding free-to-play expertise and live game support to every decision, every day.

But we’re committed to more than our games! Here at Nexon America, we’re all about open communication, diversity, mutual respect, and collaboration, so we can bring out the best in each other. Nexies find support, friendship, and career growth all in one place! And because we know a healthy work-life balance is the key to happiness, Nexies also enjoy flexible hours, a hybrid work model, and extra perks like food trucks, happy hours, and team events. It’s why we’ve earned the Great Place to Work certification for 5 years running!

We’re looking to expand our team with passionate individuals who want to learn, play, and grow with us. Ready for a new challenge?

Summary of Position

Nexon America’s Western Dev team is looking to expand our team with gameplay engineers for a new exciting project. Ready for a new challenge? Join our team to learn, play, and grow with us!

We announced our plan for the 'MapleStory Western Project' at GDC 2024 – a brief overview of the information posted for MapleStory players can be found on the official website: https://www.nexon.com/maplestory/news/general/17104/inkwell-s-note-greetings

You will join the MapleStory Development Team as a Senior Gameplay Engineer, playing a key role in designing, developing, and implementing game features that enhance the MapleStory experience. While your primary focus will be on gameplay systems, you will also contribute to server-side performance optimization and stability to ensure a smooth launch. You’ll collaborate closely with game designers, artists, and fellow engineers to create engaging gameplay and uphold technical excellence. In addition, you will mentor junior engineers and report directly to the Lead Gameplay Engineer.

We are currently working in the office 2-3x a week in a hybrid work model.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable game systems using C++
• Collaborate with designers, artists, and other engineers to develop gameplay features
• Optimize client-server architecture for performance and stability in large-scale multiplayer environments
• Work closely with backend service engineers to ensure seamless integration of game services
• Mentor junior developers and participate in code reviews
• Debug and resolve complex technical issues
• Other duties as assigned

Work Experience

• Experienced 7+ years as a software engineer in the online game development, or a related field
• 4+ years of experience in C++ backend/server development
• Experienced in mentoring other engineers
• Shipped new game title(s) or experienced live game service in many years

Education, Professional Training, Technical Training or Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or equivalent experience
• Award-winning history in public programming competitions (huge plus)

Knowledge/Skills

Required:

• Proficient in C++ language
• Strong understanding of the online game development process, game mechanics, user experience in online games, and related skillsets
• Experience in server and backend skills such as MultiThreading, Networking, and Databases
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to quickly understand complex systems and codebases
• Ability to mentor and support junior/mid-level engineers
• Proactive mindset with a willingness to take initiative and solve problems independently

Preferred:·

• Passionate about MapleStory, with deep familiarity with its gameplay, history, and community
• Prior experience working on live online games with large user bases
• Experience using client-server architecture
• Experience with scripting languages such as Lua or Python
• Proficient in Korean

Nexon’s Benefits and Perks

We offer medical, dental and vision plans for you, your spouse or domestic partner and your children. Employees who enroll in the high deductible health plan receive an annual employer contribution to a health savings account and company paid hospital indemnity benefits. We also provide company paid life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability benefits as well as access to voluntary life and AD&D for yourself and your dependents, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) savings plan with a company match, and pet insurance. Nexies are encouraged to take advantage of our monthly wellness credit, participate in lunchtime yoga, and enroll in language classes. We host bi-monthly catered lunches, monthly happy hours, and maintain a well-stocked snack bar. To help you maintain a good work life balance, we offer paid time off, sick days, company holidays, and a year-end break.

Nexon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Compensation Description for Pay Transparency (annually)

The base salary range for this position in El Segundo, CA is $145,000 - $170,000 annually.

Our salary ranges are determined by market data based on position and level. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum salaries for that position. An individual’s pay is determined by factors including, but not limited to, a candidate’s qualifications, skills, experiences, relevant education or training, and location.

Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work. This role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, however the salary range listed in this job posting reflects the base salary only.

Beware of Recruitment Scams

We have been made aware of fraudulent recruitment activities by individuals falsely claiming to represent Nexon America. Our recruiters will only contact you from official company email addresses ending in @nexon.com and will follow a formal interview process. We will never request for payment or personal financial information such as photos of government-issued identification during the recruitment process or offer a job without a formal interview process. If you receive suspicious email, we advise you to mark the email as junk or spam, so your email provider will block future messages from the sender.