David Espada
Unreal Engine Programmer · C++
Spain · Open to relocation & remote
|davidlespada@gmail.com
|linkedin.com/in/davidlespada
|dlespada.com
Profile
Unreal Engine C++ programmer with 5+ years shipping on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Led the full C++ architecture of The Occultist (Daedalic Entertainment) — GAS, 3Cs, CommonUI, tech animation, console porting. Currently Senior Gameplay Programmer at GRIP Studios.
Experience
Senior Gameplay Programmer
2025 – Present
GRIP Studios · Remote
- Unannounced AAA multiplayer title in full production; details under NDA.
- Unreal Engine C++ core gameplay systems and multiplayer replication architecture.
- Cross-team feature ownership alongside a seasoned AAA team.
Lead Programmer
Aug 2021 – 2025
Daloar Studios (formerly Pentakill) · The Occultist
Devcom 2023 Blockbuster Award · Best Indie — FreakCon Málaga 2022 · Gamescom 2024
- Lead engineer on a AA UE5 narrative horror — shipped April 8, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
- Published by Daedalic Entertainment; voiced by Doug Cockle (Geralt of Rivia).
- Designed and shipped full GAS (Gameplay Ability System) architecture for the entire game.
- Owned all 3Cs — Character, Camera, Controls — from blank project to ship.
- Integrated CommonUI; architected technical animation and locomotion systems.
- Ported the title to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S devkits; handled certification preparation.
- Hired and mentored junior developers; ran technical interviews.
VR Programmer
Oct 2020 – 2021
FrameOver
- VR experience and interactive prototype for Oculus Quest 2.
- Built the full VR interaction system from scratch: UI navigation, SDK integration.
- Android profiling to hit stable FPS targets on-device.
Selected Projects
The Yellow Robot
Sole programmer on the winning entry. Featured in Epic Games' official announcement.
Kibus
Solo jam game that hit #1 on itch.io and held the spot for several days.
C.I.E.V
Sole programmer — base systems, player programming, all UI.
Nodine
Personal project with published devlogs on itch.io.
Technical Skills
Software & Languages
Unreal Engine 5 / 4 · Unreal Engine C++ · Blueprints · Python · Perforce · Git
Gameplay
GAS · 3Cs · CommonUI · Slate UI · Behavior Trees · EQS · Anim Programming · Multiplayer
Platforms
PS5 devkit · Xbox Series X/S devkit · Quest 2 / VR · Android profiling
Leadership
Mentoring · Technical interviewing · Cross-discipline feature ownership
Education
Diploma in Game Development
2019 – 2020
PrimerFrame Game Development Programme — Programming, Animation, 3D Art
Languages
Native Spanish · Professional English
David Espada · Unreal Engine Programmer · C++
References available on request