Principal Server Engineer - NBA 2K (REMOTE)

Visual Concepts LLC

Job Overview

Location

California, USA

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• Are you a seasoned server-side engineering leader with a deep passion for building robust, scalable, and high-performance online experiences? Visual Concepts, a premier game development studio renowned for its critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles, is seeking a Principal Server Engineer to join the prestigious NBA 2K team. This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of critical backend systems that power one of the most popular sports franchises globally, contributing directly to the seamless online gameplay that millions of players enjoy.
• As a Principal Server Engineer, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of NBA 2K's online infrastructure. Your primary focus will be on the architecture, design, and implementation of backend services that are the backbone of our game's online features. This includes everything from player matchmaking and progression systems to in-game economies and live service operations. You will be at the forefront of ensuring our systems can handle massive player loads, maintain ultra-low latency, and provide unwavering stability, even during peak demand.
• Your responsibilities will span the entire lifecycle of server-side development. You will contribute significantly to the backend architecture, making key decisions that will impact scalability, reliability, and fault tolerance for years to come. This involves designing and optimizing distributed systems that can gracefully handle millions of concurrent players, a feat that requires meticulous planning and execution. You will also be responsible for building and maintaining large-scale computing solutions, ensuring they are not only performant but also cost-effective and maintainable.
• A critical aspect of this role involves developing and refining efficient database structures and queries. Given the high-volume, real-time nature of transactions in a game like NBA 2K, database performance is paramount. You will leverage your expertise to ensure data integrity, optimize read/write operations, and support complex data retrieval needs without compromising speed or responsiveness.
• The emphasis on high-performance backend services means a constant focus on low latency and stability. You will employ advanced techniques in multithreaded programming and system optimization to achieve these goals, ensuring that players experience smooth, uninterrupted online gameplay. This requires a proactive approach to identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks before they impact the player base.
• Collaboration is key to success at Visual Concepts. You will work closely with talented engineering teams, game designers, and other stakeholders to translate game features and player needs into robust, efficient server-side solutions. This partnership ensures that the technical capabilities of our backend directly enable and enhance the player's online experience, fostering a truly connected and engaging gameplay environment.
• Beyond individual contributions, as a Principal Engineer, you are expected to provide technical leadership. This includes mentoring junior and mid-level engineers, sharing your deep knowledge of best practices in system design, performance tuning, and scalability. You will help set the technical direction for the team, driving innovation and ensuring the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies.
• You will also be tasked with researching, evaluating, and integrating emerging technologies and trends. This forward-thinking approach is crucial for staying ahead in the competitive gaming landscape, enhancing our team's capabilities, improving platform performance, and driving product innovation. Your insights will help shape the technological roadmap for NBA 2K's online services.
• This role offers the chance to work on a globally recognized brand, impacting the experience of millions of players worldwide. You will be part of a studio that values creativity, technical excellence, and a shared passion for making great games. The fully remote nature of this position provides flexibility, allowing you to contribute from anywhere in the United States.

🎯 Requirements

• 12+ years of professional software development experience, with a strong focus on backend and server-side systems.
• Strong proficiency in C++ with a solid understanding of object-oriented programming principles.
• Deep understanding of distributed and scalable systems, with a proven track record of designing and delivering reliable, high-performance backend architectures.
• Proven experience with multithreaded programming, driving efficiency and stability across large-scale, real-time environments.
• Leadership experience in technical direction, mentoring engineers, and setting best practices for system design, performance, and scalability.
• BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience in large-scale software development.

🏖️ Benefits

• Fully remote role within the United States.
• Competitive salary range ($192,000 - $250,000 per year in CA/WA, $172,000 - $235,000 per year in NY/NJ, with potential for bonus and/or equity awards).
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, financial, and other benefits.
• Opportunity to work on a globally recognized and highly successful game franchise (NBA 2K).
• Professional growth and development opportunities within a leading game development studio.
• Collaborative and creative work environment with passionate industry professionals.

Skills & Technologies

Python

PHP

Ruby

MySQL

Backend

Senior

Remote

$192k-250k

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Visual Concepts LLC

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About Visual Concepts LLC

Visual Concepts is a leading video game developer renowned for creating critically acclaimed sports simulation titles. The company is best known for its flagship NBA 2K series, which has set the standard for basketball video games, offering realistic gameplay, deep career modes, and extensive online multiplayer features. Beyond basketball, Visual Concepts also develops other popular sports franchises, catering to a global audience of sports enthusiasts. Their commitment to innovation, graphical fidelity, and authentic sports experiences has solidified their position as a powerhouse in the interactive entertainment industry, consistently delivering high-quality products that resonate with both casual and hardcore gamers.

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