Turning Passion Into Careers That Create Memorable Experiences

Electronic Arts Romania: Turning Passion Into Careers That Create Memorable Experiences

On any given day, if you cross paths with a group of friends going to AFI, Bucharest's most popular mall, you’ll see someone proudly pointing up and saying "Did you know they make the EA SPORTS™ FIFA game here?"

Usually, someone else from the group will chip in to say that it's not just EA SPORTS™ FIFA but also Apex Legends™, Battlefield™, Madden or NHL. Odds are, that if you ever played an EA game, we worked on it.

For the past 16 years, Electronic Arts Romania has been a hotspot for game development not just in Romania, but also across the entire continent. For local video gamers, it’s an aspirational place where they can turn their passion into a lucrative career. But it’s a lot more than that; Electronic Arts Romania plays a key role in EA operations around the world.

With over 1,900 employees and collaborators, we're a company that develops and utilizes cutting-edge technology services and platforms, such as Frostbite, Security Operations, Gameplay Services, and more. 

While the pandemic might have changed the way we work together, the drive, diversity and unity of Electronic Arts Romania continues to deliver the best video games in the world. Anyone seeing the headquarters wants to take a peek inside, to see not just where, but how, the magic happens.

A look inside one of the largest video game developers and tech companies in Romania

It all started 16 years ago, in a time when Romanian video gamers had few opportunities to pursue their dream career in the video gaming industry. With over 100k software developers, Romania is one of the countries with the highest number of software developers in Central and Eastern Europe. This abundance of talent and drive initially attracted Electronic Arts to establish a presence in the region. 

Starting off with just 7 employees in 2005, it quickly became one of the most desired employers, as EA Romania is one of the EA studios where the much-loved EA SPORTS™ FIFA and NHL franchises are being developed.

Today, more than 1,900 employees and collaborators deliver world-class gaming experiences and IT services to a global market.  Game designers, software engineers, producers, graphic artists, cybersecurity analysts, project managers, technical animators, quality verification specialists and business analysts all work remotely now. But, if it weren’t for the pandemic, they’d make their way to the offices located in AFI Park, one of the most dynamic locations in Bucharest. 

As one of the early companies to recognize the potential of this region, Electronic Arts has opened the path into the tech industry for thousands of young Romanians. Electronic Arts became one of the most attractive tech employers in Eastern Europe with leading-edge compensation packages and a sustained focus on employee wellbeing.

Fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement

Of course, not everyone applying for a role at Electronic Arts Romania needs to be a video gamer or have previous experience in this industry. We have a wide range of roles from development to corporate services. Our teams include Development, Core Technology Organization, Development Technology & Services, Marketing Commercial Publishing, and corporate functions such as Finance, IT, People Experience and Workplace Experience.

We are looking for bright and enthusiastic producers, data analysts, software engineers and artists, as well as finance and human resources specialists, to name just a few of the roles available. 

We are a diverse, creative and collaborative group of people. Every employee shares the company's values and commitment to develop and use cutting-edge technology for the enjoyment of players worldwide. A common vision of excellence and our passion for bringing to life the best video games in the world unites us. We welcome candidates from across Romania and further afield, offering domestic and international relocation packages. Our current team includes colleagues from Australia, Egypt and Finland, to name a few.

Compensation packages that support, motivate, and empower 

In Romania, equitable compensation is a benefit rarely offered by tech companies, but this incentive fosters a culture of achieving and sharing success. For Electronic Arts Romania, it's an integral part of a benefits package designed to support employees at all times. 

To support our employees in their thinking and acting as an owner of the company fully invested in the quality of work produced, we offer Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of the compensation package. When the RSUs vest, they convert to actual shares in Electronic Arts that can be held or sold. Additionally, the employees who voluntarily enroll in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan can purchase EA shares at a 15% discount through payroll deduction. 

And yes, we offer the perks one expects when dreaming of joining a tech company. As well as our annual bonus, we have fitness subscriptions including gym or virtual memberships and home fitness equipment, free games, flex time, mental health and wellbeing support, plus frequent virtual events and workshops to connect in new ways.

We prioritize our employees’ lives and wellbeing and have a comprehensive package of maternity/ paternity leave, compassionate leave, and days off for getting married, as well as benefits for the birth of a child. There's even a complete shut down between Christmas and New Year, adding to the standard paid time off, so that everyone can have the time and space to spend with their family and engage in their community.

Our company attracts and retains talent by offering one of the most comprehensive medical packages in the market. With a large number of clinics included and diverse services portfolio, from consults, lab tests, and screening to treatments, physical therapy, and many more standard services. Coupled with access to a mental health platform, free coaching, basic life & accident insurance, and additional days off, we aim to provide benefits that actually take care of people when they need it most.

An environment that turns diverse groups into strong teams 

The best working environment is one that develops people as individuals and as teams. We nurture potential by offering access to platforms and mentors that help develop both soft and technical skills, and supporting constant learning and development. We’re proud of our internal conference programme featuring superstar developers and leading development platforms, as well as our frequent internal GameJams and attending external conferences like GamesCom GDC, Fireside Chats or AMA sessions.  

We believe that the energy of a group of creative people working together in a room is at the heart of our culture at Electronic Arts. But we have also learned a great deal while navigating the challenges of remote work, and we've seen an increased desire from our people for flexibility in how they work. Our goal with our new Flexible Work policy is to provide greater working flexibility for our teams in a way that balances the needs of our business, our players, and our colleagues. As we continue to make plans for what work looks like in the future, EA is open to remote working when and where it makes sense.

Teamwork, trust and respect through any challenge

With the new ways of working generated by the COVID-19 restrictions, EA also offers flexibility in schedule and meeting-free days to help employees focus on the task at hand. 

The EA fans walking outside may have less opportunities to run into them, but they know Electronic Arts Romania is working to deliver spectacular gaming experiences. Meanwhile, our Electronic Arts Romania teams are closer than ever. We connect in Zoom town halls, attend virtual events, and hold workshops. For us, working for this tech industry leader means belonging to a community where wellbeing is top priority, and everyone is focused on bringing the joy of play to millions of people. 

Ready to develop your career in a dynamic, rewarding workplace?  
Check out the open roles on getinthegame.ro and ea.com/careers.