Unity Logo

Unity

Senior Netcode Engineer

Reposted 18 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Hybrid
San Francisco, CA
136K-204K Annually
Senior level
Hybrid
San Francisco, CA
136K-204K Annually
Senior level
Design and implement high-performance networking systems for real-time 3D applications, optimizing bandwidth and latency, while diagnosing synchronization issues across multiple game engines.
The summary above was generated by AI

The opportunity
The team that brought Unity to visionOS and enabled real-time interaction via Play-to-Device is growing in preparation for something even more ambitious: adapting PolySpatial to stream Unity content into other game engines and 3D environments—in-process, cross-process, and over the network.

We're looking for engineers eager to help us invent how different real-time 3D runtimes communicate and render under real-world constraints. You’ll work at the intersection of core engine tech, high-performance networking, distributed systems, and graphics. This is your opportunity to build the fundamental infrastructure for the next generation of interconnected game and 3D ecosystems.

You'll architect and implement a networking stack to synchronize game state between distinct engines. This goes beyond standard multiplayer replication: it requires new authority models, replication strategies, and rollback/prediction schemes that work when client and server run on different engines. If you thrive on architecting multiplayer systems from first principles, then optimizing every byte and packet to make it performant, this role offers the scope and complexity you're looking for.

What you'll be doing

  • Design and build networking systems to stream Unity simulation state to external hosts while balancing bandwidth, latency, convergence, and visual consistency.
  • Invent new synchronization models from first principles designed to mitigate latency, including engine-agnostic interpolation/prediction/rollback, and distributed authority models.
  • Optimize bandwidth through bit-level serialization, delta-compression, and message dispatch schemes
  • Diagnose and fix end-to-end desyncs, race conditions, and jitter when two engines disagree about reality under real-world network conditions

What we're looking for

  • Networking Mastery: Transport layers, reliability, topology design, serialization, and realtime synchronization (generalized prediction, rollback, and interpolation) for high-performance games.
  • Engine-Level Netcode: Track record shipping scalable multiplayer systems for latency-sensitive games (FPS, action, MMO, or similar). You haven't just used a networking library—you've written or heavily extended one
  • Distributed systems experience: Large-scale systems (MMORPGs, cloud gaming, simulations) where synchronization and determinism matter
  • Low-Level Fluency: Strong C++ and C# skills. Comfortable capturing raw packets to diagnose timing issues or optimize at the bit level

You might also have

  • Fluency with diverse networking models (authoritative server, deterministic lockstep, peer-to-peer)
  • Background with cloud game servers, containerization, and orchestration (GCP, AWS, Azure).
  • Experience in network security, encryption, or cheat prevention.
  • Exposure to Unity DOTS or similar high-performance, data-oriented frameworks

Additional information

  • Relocation support is not available for this position
  • Work visa/immigration sponsorship is not available for this position

Benefits
At Unity, we want our team members to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support well-being and work-life balance.

Please note: Benefits eligibility, specific offerings, and coverage vary based on the country and employment status.

While specific benefits vary, here are some of the ways we strive to take care of our eligible team members globally: Comprehensive health, life, and disability insurance | Commute subsidy | Employee stock ownership | Competitive retirement/pension plans | Generous vacation and personal days | Support for new parents through leave and family-care programs | Office food snacks | Mental Health and Wellbeing programs and support | Employee Resource Groups | Global Employee Assistance Program | Training and development programs | Volunteering and donation matching program

Life at Unity

Unity [NYSE: U] is the world’s leading game engine, powering play for more than 3 billion consumers each month. The top mobile games in the world, the most played PC indie titles, the most innovative console games, and virtually all of the top XR and Web Games are developed, deployed, and grown in Unity. Unity also enables teams across industries like automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare to design, simulate, and collaborate in 3D — closing the gap between ideas and reality. For more information, please visit www.unity.com.

Unity is a proud equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment and celebrate our employees across age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Our differences are strengths that enable us to support the growing and evolving needs of our customers, partners, and collaborators. If you have a disability that means there are preparations or accommodations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please fill out this form to let us know.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

This position requires the incumbent to have a sufficient knowledge of English to have professional verbal and written exchanges in this language since the performance of the duties related to this position requires frequent and regular communication with colleagues and partners located worldwide and whose common language is English.

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this Web site or directly to managers. Unity does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency resumes. Unity will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with Unity.

Your privacy is important to us. Please take a moment to review our Prospect and Applicant Privacy Policies. Should you have any concerns about your privacy, please contact us at [email protected].

#SEN #LI-LM1

*Note: Certain locations require a good faith disclosure of the base salary range for the role. The actual salary for the successful candidate may differ based on location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Gross pay salary
$135,800$203,600 USD

Top Skills

AWS
Azure
C#
C++
GCP
Unity

Unity San Francisco, California, USA Office

Work at Unity includes a ton of flexibility, depending on your role, the needs of your team and ultimately the way you and your team work best together.

Similar Jobs

17 Minutes Ago
In-Office
Oakland, CA, USA
120K-150K Annually
Mid level
120K-150K Annually
Mid level
Biotech
As a Software Engineer, you will develop software for clinical BCI applications, engage in code reviews, and collaborate with scientists and engineers while traveling between offices.
Top Skills: C/C++JavaScriptLinuxmacOSPythonRustTypescript
3 Hours Ago
Remote or Hybrid
United States
156K-210K Annually
Senior level
156K-210K Annually
Senior level
Cloud • Fintech • Software • Business Intelligence • Consulting • Financial Services
The Director of Quality Assurance leads a QA organization to ensure technology systems deliver flawless, secure experiences, establishing standards and strategies for testing and quality culture across the firm.
Top Skills: AppiumAWSAzureCircleCICypressGCPGitlab CiJenkinsSelenium
3 Hours Ago
Remote or Hybrid
United States
107K-160K Annually
Mid level
107K-160K Annually
Mid level
Cloud • Fintech • Software • Business Intelligence • Consulting • Financial Services
The Manager will lead advisory services for skilled nursing clients, focusing on financial reporting, budgeting, and operational improvements while mentoring staff.
Top Skills: Bill.ComIntaactMicrosoft Office SuiteNetSuiteQuickbooks Online

What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene

San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.

Key Facts About San Francisco Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
  • Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
  • Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account