Independent Contractor - Technical Gameplay Programmer at Dandylion Games Ltd, Remote, £Contract Rate

Overview

Are you looking for an opportunity to contribute to a new UK-based indie start-up?

This is a royalty-upon-release independent contractor opportunity, ideal for individuals looking to expand their portfolio by contributing to an in-development title.

We are looking for a programmer who can help build, connect, test, and improve gameplay systems for our Unreal Engine project. The role is focused on C++ gameplay programming, reusable components, and making sure core systems work together cleanly in-engine.

Role type

Independent contractor, not employment and not an internship.

Remote.

Work is delivered on a milestone / agreed deliverables basis. You manage your own time to meet agreed milestones and attend essential check-in meetings.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for someone who is comfortable working as an independent contractor, delivering agreed services to the project on a milestone / deliverables basis.

The ideal contributor will be:

• A technically minded programmer with experience in game development
• Comfortable working in Unreal Engine
• Able to write and maintain C++ gameplay code
• Able to build reusable gameplay components and systems
• Able to connect multiple systems together cleanly
• Comfortable working with Blueprints where needed
• Able to turn design documentation, written briefs, and verbal direction into working in-engine gameplay
• Able to test, debug, and iterate on gameplay systems
• Able to identify technical issues and suggest practical solutions
• Comfortable working remotely using Google Workspace
• A strong communicator who can collaborate with a diverse remote team and deliver agreed outcomes to industry standards

Experience with combat systems is a strong plus.

A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Game Development, Game Design, Technical Design, or a related field is preferred but not essential. All experience will be considered, provided you have an appropriate portfolio, GitHub, project examples, or other evidence of work available.

Useful experience

We are particularly interested in applicants with experience in any of the following:

• Unreal Engine C++
• Gameplay Ability-style systems or custom gameplay systems
• Health, damage, status effect, inventory, interaction, save/load, or combat systems
• Reusable actor components
• Player character systems
• Enemy behaviour and combat logic
• Boss encounter systems
• Animation notifies, sockets, hit detection, collision, traces, and gameplay events
• Blueprint and C++ integration
• Debugging gameplay systems
• Working from GDDs, TDDs, task briefs, and milestone-based documentation
• Building systems that other team members can use reliably

What you’ll do: example deliverables

You may be asked to deliver agreed, scoped tasks such as, but not limited to:

• Building C++ gameplay components
• Creating reusable systems for player, enemy, and world interactions
• Implementing health, damage, combat, inventory, interaction, save/load, or related gameplay systems
• Connecting systems so they work together cleanly
• Supporting Blueprint-accessible functionality where needed
• Creating base classes for player, enemies, bosses, interactables, or gameplay objects
• Debugging gameplay issues and fixing bugs
• Testing systems in-engine
• Improving existing gameplay code
• Helping turn design documentation into working gameplay features
• Supporting encounter and level gameplay implementation where programming support is needed

You may be asked to complete deliverables outside of your main speciality if you have the necessary skills and experience.

Specific deliverables will be agreed in writing before work begins.

Important information: royalty-only

Please note this is an independent contractor role. There will be no upfront payment, salary, or hourly wage.

Remuneration will be through a royalty / revenue share, payable only upon release, subject to the terms and conditions of a written agreement.

Royalties are conditional on commercial release and revenue. Payment is not guaranteed. The agreement will define royalty calculations, reporting methods, and other terms of payment.

Contractors are responsible for their own tax arrangements and will be engaged under a written contractor agreement, including any required status / IR35 considerations where applicable.

We operate a strict no generative-AI-content policy for project deliverables. Applicants should be comfortable producing handcrafted work.

Hiring process

This is an open posting and may close early once enough applications have been received.

How to apply

Please send your details, including a CV and relevant portfolio links, to:

hello@dandyliongames.co.uk

Helpful links may include:

• GitHub
• Unreal Engine project examples
• Gameplay programming portfolio
• Combat system examples
• Technical breakdowns
• Showreel or video demonstrations
• Released or in-development projects you have contributed to

Data protection

All applications will be processed in accordance with UK GDPR. Unsuccessful applicant details may be retained for up to 6 months unless you ask us to delete them sooner.

Equal opportunities

Dandylion Games Ltd is an equal opportunities engager and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Job Types: Part-time, Freelance, Graduate

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience in game development?
• Do you have experience with technical level design, level blockouts, encounter setup, or in-engine implementation? (Evidence recommended)
• Do you have experience with Blueprint scripting, visual scripting, or gameplay programming?

Work Location: Remote