Lead Software Engineer, Online - Diablo | Irvine, CA or Albany, NY

Lead Software Engineer, Online - Diablo | Irvine, CA or Albany, NY

Team Name: Diablo

We are seeking a Lead Software Engineer, Online to assist in the creation of new ARPG experiences within one of Blizzard’s most iconic worlds, Diablo. In this role, you will define and evolve the online architecture that underpins our connected gameplay and build systems and services that must be resilient and scalable. You’ll work closely with designers, client engineers, and stakeholders to turn ambitious gameplay visions into seamless online experiences.

This role offers a flexible hybrid work week with a mix of remote and on‑site days. Hybrid is the standard arrangement, but you are welcome to work on‑site full‑time. Primary studio locations are in Albany, NY, and Irvine, CA.

• Help shape and drive the online technical strategy, defining architectures and services that support scalable, resilient, and secure connected gameplay.
• Provide technical direction, mentorship, and code‑level guidance to a team of engineers that elevate engineering quality and craft.
• Build and maintain backend systems that deliver reliable, performant online features, from foundational services to gameplay‑driven networked interactions.
• Partner closely with design, client engineering, and cross‑team leadership to bring social, multiplayer, and service‑driven features from concept to shipped implementation.
• Collaborate with central technology and platform teams to integrate shared services, align requirements, and deliver cohesive online experiences across Blizzard ecosystems.
• Work with production and project leadership to prioritize work, understand dependencies, and ensure smooth execution across teams.
• Champion engineering excellence, promoting sound architecture, maintainability, testing practices, and efficient workflows that scale with the project.

• 10+ years of professional experience developing online or systems‑level features, ideally including work on a shipped game or large‑scale interactive product.
• Deep expertise in C++ and strong software engineering fundamentals, with the ability to drive architectural decisions and uphold code quality across a team.
• Hands‑on experience with distributed systems or client/server architectures, and an understanding of how to build scalable, resilient online services.
• Familiarity with backend and data technologies such as Redis, Cassandra, Pulsar, or comparable platforms used in large online ecosystems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work closely with cross‑disciplinary partners and guide technical discussions.
• A track record of thriving in dynamic, iterative development environments, balancing long‑term technical vision with day‑to‑day delivery.

• Experience shipping and supporting a live, globally‑scaled online game or service.
• Expertise with Windows and Linux server environments, including performance profiling and operational considerations.
• Hands‑on experience with cloud, containerization, or virtualization technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, or equivalent platforms.
• Strong networking fundamentals, including practical experience with TCP, UDP, and higher‑level protocols used in real‑time multiplayer systems.
• Familiarity with large‑scale backend and data technologies (e.g., SQL, Cassandra, Pulsar) and how they apply to modern game services.
• Understanding security best practices for online systems, including encryption, threat mitigation, and denial‑of‑service considerations.

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre‑defining games over the last 30 years, including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and Star Craft®. Blizzard operates across PC, consoles, and mobile platforms and engages tens of millions of players worldwide.

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world’s largest interactive entertainment companies, offering franchises such as Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™, and Bubble Witch™. The company provides a suite of benefits…