Principal Programmer

Principal Programmer

Royal Leamington Spa Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead programming teams to innovate and enhance player experiences in game development.
  • Company: Join Third Kind Games, a top UK indie studio known for creativity and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible work-life balance, remote options, and a supportive team culture.
  • Why this job: Be part of exciting projects with industry giants while fostering your creative freedom.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in the industry with strong C++ or C# skills; experience with game engines required.
  • Other info: Recognised for workplace wellbeing, we value mental health and team diversity.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

As a Principal Programmer you will have a desire to focus and specialise your technical skills further, working with our teams to innovate and drive programming expertise. Third Kind Games is one of the largest independently owned game development studios in the UK, based in Royal Leamington Spa. We also have remote studios in Poland and Spain. Our three studios have been built on the same original spirit and values since our beginning. Founded in 2016 by nine leaders in the industry, with extensive experience in the development of critically acclaimed titles such as Guitar Hero Live and DiRT, we’ve been growing ever since. Today we work with some of the biggest names in the games industry such as Blizzard, Amazon, Microsoft and Mythical Games. Alongside several new high-profile, unannounced projects, our team is also working on our own IP, so TKG is an incredibly exciting place to be right now. We are also setting new benchmarks for creativity in the games industry, driving technical expertise in programming alongside creative innovation. What is it like to be a Third Kinder? We are a diverse team of people. We are collaborative, open-minded creatives who embrace ideas and knowledge from everyone in our team, with the aim of developing and inspiring ourselves, our projects and our games. Work life balance and flexibility are very important to us and our team. At TKG we offer a place where our team can be their most creative, imaginative and confident selves. We want all of our team to feel valued, appreciated, and free to be who they are at work. TKG recently received a GOLD Award in Mind Charity’s Workplace Wellbeing Index, recognising our dedication to our team’s mental health and wellbeing. Role Overview Understanding our customer needs and ensuring the programming team contributes to player satisfaction and enjoyment, making our games more fun to play. Advising and supporting the Lead Programmers by prioritising the daily workflows to ensure a balanced approach to workload and production management. Leading by example and using your knowledge to support the development, mentoring and performance of fellow programmers. Working with a highly experienced team on all areas of the game, both client and server. Fully owning complex systems through design and development, working closely with the Programmers and other disciplines to realise their visions. Helping to drive our creative planning sessions, scrums, and retrospectives and other engineering processes around programming. Proactively contributes improvements and rolls them out to the wider org. What we are looking for from a Third Kinder You would: Be capable of working autonomously, gathering your own requirements and creating your own solutions. Be capable of learning a new language or technology without guidance. Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry movements. Enjoy working with a lot of different technologies, and have a keen desire to learn new ones. Prefer a creative, open-thinking environment over one driven by specs and detailed requirements. Be adept at communicating with colleagues and customers to work well as a team. Be motivated by creative freedom, ground-breaking initiatives and unknown territory. Be able to work alone and also as part of a team, whilst knowing when to ask for advice from your colleagues. 10+ years\’ industry experience. 5+ years\’ C++ or C# experience. Experience with engines such as Unity, Lumberyard and Unreal. Skills it would be great to have Experience with: Cloud services such as PlayFab and GameSparks. If you think this is the role for you please send us your CV and an introductory email, which helps us to get to know you better. We aim to respond to your application within 2 working days. Usually we will conduct a telephone interview, prior to any face to face or virtual interviews. If you experience an error submitting your application, please email us at recruitment@thirdkindgames.com. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Principal Programmer employer: Third Kind Games Ltd

Third Kind Games is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises creativity, collaboration, and employee wellbeing. Located in the heart of Royal Leamington Spa, our studio not only boasts a strong commitment to mental health, as evidenced by our GOLD Award from Mind Charity, but also provides ample opportunities for professional growth and innovation within the gaming industry. Join us to be part of a diverse team that values your unique contributions and encourages you to thrive both personally and professionally.
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Contact Detail:

Third Kind Games Ltd Recruiting Team

recruitment@thirdkindgames.com

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Programmer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in game development and programming languages, especially C++ and C#. This will not only help you during interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role and the industry.

✨Tip Number 2

Engage with the gaming community by participating in forums or attending industry events. Networking can provide valuable insights and connections that may lead to opportunities at Third Kind Games.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your previous projects in detail, particularly those that showcase your ability to work autonomously and lead teams. Highlighting your experience with complex systems will resonate well with the expectations of a Principal Programmer.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your passion for creativity and innovation in your conversations. Third Kind Games values a creative environment, so demonstrating your enthusiasm for pushing boundaries in game development will set you apart.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Programmer

C++ Programming
C# Programming
Game Development
Unity Engine
Unreal Engine
Lumberyard Engine
Cloud Services (e.g., PlayFab, GameSparks)
Autonomous Problem Solving
Technical Mentoring
Agile Methodologies
Creative Thinking
Team Collaboration
Communication Skills
Adaptability to New Technologies
Performance Optimisation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience, especially your 10+ years in the industry and 5+ years with C++ or C#. Emphasise any work you've done with game engines like Unity, Lumberyard, or Unreal.

Craft an Engaging Introductory Email: In your introductory email, share a bit about yourself, your passion for game development, and why you want to join Third Kind Games. This is your chance to showcase your personality and enthusiasm.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Be specific about your technical skills in your application. Mention any experience with cloud services like PlayFab and GameSparks, as well as your ability to learn new technologies independently.

Demonstrate Team Collaboration: Highlight examples from your past work where you successfully collaborated with teams or mentored others. This aligns with their emphasis on teamwork and supporting fellow programmers.

How to prepare for a job interview at Third Kind Games Ltd

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Principal Programmer, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of programming languages like C++ or C#. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've used these skills, and how they contributed to the success of the game.

✨Emphasise Collaboration and Leadership

Highlight your experience in mentoring and leading teams. Share examples of how you've supported fellow programmers and contributed to a collaborative environment, as this aligns with Third Kind Games' values.

✨Demonstrate Your Creative Problem-Solving Skills

Be ready to discuss how you've approached complex programming challenges creatively. This role values innovative thinking, so share instances where you've developed unique solutions or improved existing systems.

✨Stay Updated on Industry Trends

Show your passion for the gaming industry by discussing emerging technologies and trends. Mention any new languages or tools you're learning, as this reflects your commitment to continuous improvement and adaptability.

Principal Programmer
Third Kind Games Ltd
Location: Royal Leamington Spa
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