Senior Gear Engineer – Tools & Pipeline Development (Entry‑Level) – Panama – Join arenaflex’s Game Innovation Team

About arenaflex – Pioneering Play in the Digital Age

arenaflex is a globally recognized leader in interactive entertainment, delivering unforgettable gaming experiences to millions of players worldwide. With a portfolio that spans mobile, console, and emerging platforms, arenaflex blends cutting‑edge technology with creative storytelling to push the boundaries of what games can be. Our mission is simple: empower creators, delight players, and shape the future of play. As we expand our development studios across the globe, we are looking for passionate, forward‑thinking engineers to join our dynamic team in Panama.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Gear Engineer who thrives on building robust, scalable tools and pipelines that enable our multidisciplinary game development crews to work faster, smarter, and more creatively. Although the position is classified as entry‑level, you will be entrusted with high‑impact responsibilities typically reserved for senior engineers, giving you a fast‑track career trajectory within arenaflex.

In this role, you will partner with artists, designers, programmers, and production teams to identify workflow bottlenecks, design custom solutions, and maintain the suite of proprietary gear that powers our game engines. Your work will directly influence the quality, efficiency, and innovation of the games we ship.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and eliminate inefficiencies: Proactively analyze cross‑disciplinary workflows, uncover pain points, and propose data‑driven improvements.
• Design and implement custom pipelines: Build, maintain, and evolve asset pipelines that streamline the creation and integration of art, animation, audio, and code.
• Maintain core development tools: Preserve, extend, and support arenaflex’s existing set of engine‑specific and custom‑built tools.
• Develop proprietary libraries: Contribute to arenaflex’s internal libraries, SDKs, and utilities that enhance productivity across Unity, Unreal, and in‑house engines.
• Collaborate on solution adoption: Work closely with team leads to evaluate trade‑offs, implement selected solutions, and drive adoption through documentation and training.
• Support the full device lifecycle: From issue detection and root‑cause analysis to tool deployment and effectiveness measurement.
• Mentor and empower teammates: Share knowledge, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and help others achieve their best work.
• Stay ahead of industry trends: Research emerging technologies, evaluate their relevance, and propose strategic integrations that keep arenaflex at the forefront of game development.

Essential Qualifications

• Strong passion for empowering others and a collaborative mindset.
• Hands‑on experience with the full software development lifecycle, especially in the context of game tooling.
• Proficiency in C#, C++, and Python, with the ability to write clean, maintainable code.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously in a self‑directed environment while delivering high‑quality results on schedule.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, with a track record of diagnosing complex workflow issues and delivering effective solutions.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to articulate technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or extending custom game engines.
• Familiarity with industry‑standard engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Knowledge of web technologies, including JavaScript and networking fundamentals.
• Prior involvement in building asset pipelines for large‑scale game projects.
• Exposure to version control systems (e.g., Git, Perforce) and continuous integration workflows.
• A portfolio or resume that showcases relevant tooling projects, open‑source contributions, or internal tool development.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of programming paradigms, data structures, and performance optimization.
• Tool Development: Ability to design, prototype, and ship production‑ready tools that integrate seamlessly with existing pipelines.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Comfortable working with artists, designers, QA, and production leads to translate creative needs into technical solutions.
• Analytical Mindset: Strong data‑driven approach to measuring tool impact and iterating based on feedback.
• Adaptability: Thrive in a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment typical of the gaming industry.
• Leadership Potential: Even at an entry level, demonstrate the ability to influence, mentor, and guide peers.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in the professional development of its engineers. As a Gear Engineer, you will have access to:

• Mentorship from senior technical leads and industry veterans.
• Sponsored attendance at leading conferences such as GDC, SIGGRAPH, and Game Developers Conference Europe.
• Internal workshops on advanced topics like real‑time rendering, AI integration, and cloud‑based build systems.
• Opportunities to transition into senior technical roles, lead tool teams, or move into gameplay engineering, depending on your interests.
• Cross‑studio rotations that allow you to experience different project pipelines and broaden your skill set.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our Panama studio blends a relaxed, beach‑side vibe with a high‑performance work ethic. We believe that great games are built by happy, motivated teams, so we foster an environment that encourages:

• Creative Freedom: Engineers are given the autonomy to experiment and iterate on new ideas.
• Inclusive Collaboration: Diverse perspectives are celebrated, and every voice is heard.
• Work‑Life Balance: Flexible hours, remote‑work options, and generous vacation policies ensure you stay refreshed.
• Health & Wellness: On‑site fitness facilities, wellness programs, and regular team‑building activities.
• Community Engagement: arenaflex supports local tech meetups, game jams, and educational outreach in Panama.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

While exact figures will be discussed during the interview process, candidates can expect a competitive salary package aligned with industry standards, including:

• Performance‑based bonuses tied to project milestones.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Generous paid time off and parental leave.
• Professional development stipend for courses, certifications, and conferences.
• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Panama.
• State‑of‑the‑art development hardware, software licenses, and ergonomic workstations.

How to Apply

If you are excited about shaping the tools that power the next generation of games and want to grow your career within a vibrant, forward‑thinking studio, we want to hear from you. Submit your resume, a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience, and any portfolio or GitHub links that showcase your tooling work.

Ready to embark on this adventure with arenaflex? Apply Job!

Join arenaflex – Where Innovation Meets Play

At arenaflex, every line of code you write, every pipeline you streamline, and every tool you create directly contributes to the magic players experience worldwide. Become part of a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Your journey starts here—apply today and help us build the future of gaming.