Engine Programmer - Core Tech

Location: Cambridge, UK – This position offers flexible working options, including predominantly remote work. Applicants should be based (or willing to relocate) within a comfortable commuting distance of our office to attend onsite as required.

Want to work on the core technologies that power the RuneScape franchise and help shape the future of Jagex’s platform capabilities?

The Game Engine team is responsible for enhancing and optimising RuneTek, our cross-platform game engine with a heavy focus on rendering technologies that help drive development of the game engine.

As a member of the Game Engine Team you will be responsible for the successful delivery of complex technical solutions, working with our production and game development teams to help realise Jagex’s vision for its games.

What you’ll be doing:

• Enhance and maintain engine technology and shared libraries across core subsystems.
• Deliver maintainable, production-ready C++ code aligned to team standards and best practices.
• Own features of moderate scope and complexity from design through completion.
• Contribute to scalable, robust, high-availability systems that support live games.
• Identify and implement performance and workflow improvements across engine tech.
• Work effectively in an agile team, collaborating to deliver business and player value.
• Support evaluation of third-party and in-house solutions to find the best fit.
• Research and apply new technologies, turning ideas into shippable engine improvements.

What we’re looking for: 

• Professional experience building systems in modern C++; exposure to GLSL and scripting (e.g. Python) to support tooling and workflows.
• Proven ability to profile and optimise across CPU, GPU and memory, and confidently act on performance data.
• Practical experience with OpenGL and/or Vulkan and building/debugging shader code in GLSL.
• Proficient in working with C++ build pipelines; experience with CMake will be considered an asset.
• Proven experience with test-driven development.
• Java experience is beneficial, but not required.

What we offer:

• When you join Jagex you can look forward to a generous Perks & Benefits package including:
• Private Healthcare, including Dental Plan.
• Discretionary annual performance bonus.
• Minimum 6% Pension contributions.
• Life Insurance.
• Enhanced family leave policies from day 1.
• Flexible working hours.
• 25 days annual leave + Bank holidays & the option to buy/sell holidays + so much more!

About Jagex

We are Jagex: The RuneScape Company. Home to one of gaming’s most enduring success stories. We create deep, community-powered games with worlds that evolve, inspire, and endure. Our flagship MMORPG franchise, RuneScape, has welcomed over 300 million player accounts, inspiring generations of players across PC and mobile for 25 years.

As we begin our 26th year, we are accelerating our strategy to expand RuneScape into a broader ecosystem of forever games and connected experiences, grounded in a renewed commitment to integrity and fair play. This includes the reduction of monetisation mechanics, as well as the launch of RuneScape: DragonWilds into Steam Early Access in 2025, representing a major step in building a multi-genre future for the RuneScape universe. We remain focused on building enduring worlds, empowering player-led innovation, and laying the foundations for the boldest era in RuneScape’s history. For more information, visit www.jagex.com.

Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, we are home to passionate creators, storytellers, engineers, and even a few dreamers, all united by a single mission to shape the future of online worlds and empower players to make them their own. We’re looking for people to join us who share our ambitions and values. We foster an inclusive workplace built on trust, autonomy, and a shared passion for creating experiences that inspire our communities.

Our values guide everything we do: We Embrace Fellowship by collaborating and sharing openly. We Hone our Craft by always learning and improving; We Honour our Vows by being honest and transparent; We are our Customers’ Heroes by striving to understand our team & player needs, and We Seize The Day by making the most of every opportunity.

Join us. The next era of RuneScape and the next chapter of Jagex: The RuneScape Company starts now.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, and we recruit, develop, and promote based on merit and ability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please let us know when you’re invited to interview.