Lead Software Engineer - Automation

Who We Are

2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.

Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of 2K’s portfolio currently includes several AAA, sports and entertainment brands, including global powerhouse NBA®️ 2K, renowned BioShock®️, Borderlands®️, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization®️ and XCOM®️ brands; popular WWE®️ 2K and WWE®️ SuperCard franchises, TopSpin 2K25, as well as the critically and commercially acclaimed PGA TOUR®️ 2K

At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!

What We Need

As a “Lead Software Engineer - Automation” within Shared Development Services’ Automation team, you will play a critical role in accelerating game delivery across 2K’s Game studios. You will focus on the design, build, and execution of automation frameworks to enhance game quality and streamline development workflows.

By building and integrating automation software, you will be helping game developers deliver some of the most ambitious titles in the industry. You will work at crossroads of game technology and engineering excellence. You will partner with studio technologists to drive adoption of intelligent automation.

This role balances significant hands-on technical contributions with the responsibility to mentor peers in automation technology. If you are passionate about the technical challenges of AAA game production and want to build the infrastructure that empowers thousands of creators, this role offers the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the future of 2K. Extra points for developers who are eager to explore how LLMs can improve the science of software delivery.

What You’ll Do

• Automation Architecture - Design, build, integrate, and evolve novel automated gameplay testing frameworks that support multiple high-profile game projects.

• Workflow Acceleration - Identify developer friction points and proactively integrate automation to streamline automation and testing lifecycles.

• Cross-Studio Collaboration - Partner with leaders in Engineering. QA. and Production at world-class development studios to integrate shared Automation services into their unique game development environments.

• Pipeline Optimization - Manage and optimize high-concurrency CI/CD pipelines to ensure rapid iteration and stable build delivery for global teams.

Tools R&D - Research and apply LLM-based tooling to accelerate development and automation workflows and improve testing efficiency.

What Will Make You A Great Fit

• Software Engineering - 6+ years of experience in software engineering. Proven track record of delivering automation or tools solutions.

• Game Development - 2+ years working with modern game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Godot, Unity) or large-scale proprietary internal engines. Experience through multiple stages of the game development lifecycle preferred

• Language Proficiency - Expertise in at least one compiled language (e.g., C#, C++, Go, Rust, Java, etc) and one scripting language (e.g., Python, Bash, etc).

• CI/CD Integration - Deep experience managing and scaling CI/CD systems (e.g., TeamCity, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or similar pipeline orchestration tools).

• Test Automation - Demonstrated craft in writing and maintaining automated tests at each layer of the test pyramid, including unit, functional, integration, load, and end-to-end tests.

• Communication Skills - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse stakeholders.

• LLM Application - A strong curiosity and demonstrated experience in using Large Language Models to assist in code generation, review, or documentation.

Beneficial Qualifications

• Cross-Team Enablement - A history of developing self-service tools from within a central technical team, serving as a technical integration partner for multiple internal teams.

• In-Engine Feature Development - Core game-dev experience, (e.g, Gameplay, Systems, Graphics, Physics, etc) is useful in understanding game-team needs and technical requirements

• Cloud Infrastructure - Familiarity with cloud-based services (e.g., AWS) and their application in distributed build or automated testing environments.

• Unreal Engine - Experience with Unreal Engine and the Unreal ecosystem (e.g., Blueprints, Horde, Gauntlet, UBA, etc.)

• Performance Automation - Exposure to performance profiling tools and the automation of performance regression detection in large-scale software.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $133,900 and $198,160 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.If hired, employee will be in an ~at-will position~ and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.