Danie Grobbelaar

Unreal Engine Engineer

Unreal Engine Generalist

Unreal Engine Developer

Electrical Engineer

Danie Grobbelaar

Unreal Engine Engineer

Unreal Engine Generalist

Unreal Engine Developer

Electrical Engineer

About Me

Hi, I'm Danie Grobbelaar - a passionate Unreal Engine C++/Blueprint Engineer and Generalist. based in South Africa. With a background in Electrical Engineering and over a decade of working with Unreal Engine, I’ve contributed to everything from multiplayer titles and AI systems to architectural visualizations and custom tool development.

 

With excellent problem solving, analytical, leadership and motivational skills. Responsible, organized, reliable, flexible, hardworking, and motivated. Team player and independent worker. Fast learner. Work well under pressure, positive person who is always willing to learn more and to take on new responsibilities.

 

Throughout my career, I've worked with teams and studios such as Wolf’s Den, Molotov, and Limitless Studio, building gameplay mechanics, optimizing systems, leading dev pipelines, and mentoring junior developers. I’m highly proficient in Blueprints, C++, Animation Blueprinting, AI behavior, UI, Replication and optimization. With extra skills in 3D modeling, digital painting, and composing music.

  • Age: 35
  • Gender: Male
  • Nationality: South Africa

Fun Facts

2 Game Jams
5 Published Mobile Games
25+ Completed Projects
7 Countries Visited

Skills

Overall
  • Game Development
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Software and Web
  • Visual Art
  • Auditory Art
  • Gaming
Languages
  • Afrikaans
  • English
Tool Stack
  • Unreal Engine
    100%
  • Visual Studio
    95%
  • Blender
    70%
  • Photoshop
    75%
  • ChatGPT
    90%
  • Unity
    50%
Unreal Engine
  • Blueprints
  • C++
  • Multiplayer
  • Gameplay Systems
  • AI
  • Tools Create
  • Mathematics
  • UI
  • Animation Programming
Electrical Engineering
  • Embedded C
  • Arduino C
  • Assembly
  • PLC Programming
  • Research and Development
  • Circuit Design
  • PCB Development
  • Distribution Board Building
  • Mathematics
Software and Web Development
  • HTML + PHP
  • Javascript
  • C#
  • SQL Database
  • Java
ART
  • Digital Painting
  • 3D Modeling
  • Guitar
  • Drums
  • Piano

Resume

Experience
Unreal Engine Lead Engineer/Generalist
2023 - Present
Unreal Engine Lead Engineer/Generalist
Wolf's Den
  • Developing A Multiplayer FPS Horror Extraction game.
  • Creating/adding Weaponry, Inventory, Crafting, Vaulting, Climbing, Player Stats, Gameplay, Animations, Movement, AI and more Systems.
    Optimize Game.
  • Planning and Managing to-do lists.
  • Teaching Team members.
Unreal Engine Engineer/Generalist
2022 - Present
Unreal Engine Engineer/Generalist
Molotov Cocktail

Created Client Based projects:

  • Architectural Visualization
  • Multiplayer Avatar Chat
  • Pixel Streaming
  • Sequencer and Rendering for Advertisements
  • Building Plugins and Custom Tools. 
  • Teaching Team Members
Unreal Engine C++ Engineer
2022 - 2022
Unreal Engine C++ Engineer
Limitless Studio
  • Converted most Blueprints to C++.
  • Planned out the folder structure for the C++ Modules and for the project.
  • Created a Flexible Replicated Health Component.
  • Implemented Mass AI for Crowds.
  • Imported Vehicles (Wheeled and Hover).
  • Created controls for a Hover Vehicle.
  • Created a Game Launcher in C# where players can download, install, and update the game.
2021 - 2022
Unreal Engine Engineer
Clueless Bunch
  • Developing an FPS game in Unreal Engine 5.
  • Planning out programming to-do list.
  • Converted Base Project to C++.
  • Implemented Networking/Replication.
  • Adding abilities to Character.
AI Programmer
2021
AI Programmer
Data7
  • Developing an FPS game in Unity.
  • Doing courses about AI at Unity Learn (A*, Finite State Machines, Crowd Simulation, GOAP, Behavior Trees).
  • For the game, we used the Pluggable AI method to control AI.
Electrical Manager
2020 - 2021
Electrical Manager
Zero Plus Trading
  • Contracted work to renovate a hostel.
  • 3D modeled the bedroom’s layout, kitchens etc. and show cased on Unreal Engine.
  • Managed a team to rewire each room to meet the requirements.
  • Rewire old distribution boards to be up to standard.
  • Build new sub distribution boards for new added appliances (stoves, ovens, geysers, and more plugs).
  • Installed card system which turns on power when card is inserted, also added locks that opens the door with same card.
Software Engineer
2019 - 2020
Software Engineer
Megadrive
  • Created a software in C# which had to control the flow of renting and selling items in a store. The software has a SQL database to upload and update items. Research had been done to implement a Fingerprint reader, Barcode printer and generator, Barcode scanner and a RFID reader.
  • Wiring on PLC and other circuits needed for production.
  • Site work, upgrading current circuits and software on a plant.
  • Programming PLC’s.
Unreal Engine Developer
2015 - 2018
Unreal Engine Developer
Self Employed/Freelance/Hobby
  • Learning to use Unreal Engine and Unity 3D, creating 3D assets in Blender, creating 2D assets in Photoshop.
  • Developed and released a few games on mobile.
  • Participated in Unreal Engine Summer Game Jam 2018.
  • Participated in the GMTK Game Jam 2022.
Embedded Engineer
2013 - 2014
Embedded Engineer
F'SATI
  • Research and developing on a product called the CanSat. Arduino C was used for the hardware and C# for the software to develop the CanSat. Also researched on the components used (Temperature, Humidity, Accelerometer, Current and GPS sensors as well as camera usage and communicating through Wi-Fi and RF).
  • Research on building a quadcopter for the institute. Required to work with a Raspberry Pi (Linux OS) and program in C++, as well as Android programmed in Java and XML.
Technician
2011
Technician
WC Automation
  • Experience working as a technician and fixing devices.
  • The job intended for us to drive to the customer and fix the technical as well as some mechanical problems they had.
  • These technical problems included computer systems controlling grape rollers and crushers.
  • Design and build circuits.
Education
2009 - Present
Online Courses
Udemy, Packt, Unreal Learning, Unity
  • UDK Game Programming with UnrealScript
  • Unreal Engine Kickstart for Developers
  • Learn C++ for Game Development
  • Converting Blueprint to C++
  • Unreal Engine 4: Mastery Create Multiplayer Games with C++
  • Unreal Engine 5: Gameplay Ability System
  • Unity 3D: Artificial Intelligence for Beginners
  • Learn 2D Game Special Effect Animation in Photoshop
  • Learn 3D Modelling - The Complete Blender Creator Course
  • Learn Professional 2D Game Asset Graphic Design in Photoshop
  • The Ultimate Digital Painting Course
2011 - 2015
BTech: Electrical Engineering
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • Engineering Mathematics
  • Micro System Design
  • System Simulation
  • Computer Network
  • Control Systems
  • Signal Processing
  • Microcontroller Systems
Certificate
2008
Grade 12
Montana High School
  • English
  • Afrikaans
  • Biology
  • Physical Science
  • Life Orientations
  • Visual arts
  • Mathematics

Projects

Hunters: Uprising
Blender, Game, PC, Unreal Engine
ArchNAV
PC, Unreal Engine
Skinz
Game, Unreal Engine
Allied Advert Project
Blender, Unreal Engine
9 Yards
PC, Unreal Engine
Nirvana Holding
PC, Unreal Engine
Whats on Dubai
PC, Unreal Engine
Jeep
Unreal Engine
Netborn
Game, PC, Unreal Engine
Unity Studies
PC, Unity
Building Rewire
Blender, Electrical Engineering, Unreal Engine
Megadrive Projects
Electrical Engineering
Tool Hire Solutions
Electrical Engineering, Software
11 Steps
Game, PC, Unreal Engine
Adventure School
Game, Mobile, PC, Unreal Engine
VR Warp Run
Game, Mobile, Unity
Happy Jellies
Game, Mobile, Unreal Engine
VR Duck Shooter: DMSP
Game, Mobile, Unreal Engine
VR Xtreme Runner
Game, Mobile, Unreal Engine
After-Party Props
Blender, Unreal Engine
Afri CanSat
Electrical Engineering, Software, Unreal Engine
3D POV Display
Electrical Engineering, Mobile
Line Following Vehicle
Electrical Engineering

Get in Touch

  • Address: Cape Town, South Africa
  • Email: daniefgrobbelaar2@gmail.com
  • Discord mrkewer