At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of our backend game engine and shape technical direction.
- Company: Join tombola, a unique tech company focused on in-house game development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Embrace inclusivity and grow your career in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in gaming while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience with C#, SQL, AWS, and a passion for game engines.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Sunderland - Hybrid - Permanent
What this role looks like
We’re looking for a Lead Developer to join our Game Engine team here at tombola. This is one of those roles where you genuinely get the best of both worlds. You’ll be hands‑on leading the development of our backend game engine, shaping how we build, scale and evolve the systems that power our games. Our Game Engine sits right at the heart of what we do. It’s where performance, player experience and regulatory compliance all come together. So if you enjoy solving complex problems, working on real‑time systems and having a real say in technical direction, this one’s worth a look. You’ll be in the office 3 days a week, working closely with the team, with the flexibility to focus from home the rest of the time.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading the design and development of core game engine systems and APIs
- Owning architectural decisions to ensure performance, scalability and compliance
- Getting stuck into hands‑on coding alongside your team
- Supporting and mentoring developers, helping them grow and do their best work
- Running code reviews and driving high engineering standards
- Working closely with Product, QA, Infrastructure and Compliance to bring everything together
- Making sure our systems are robust, auditable and ready for regulatory certification
- Leading sprint planning, shaping priorities and managing technical risk
- Monitoring performance in production and driving improvements where needed
- Contributing to technical roadmaps and long‑term platform direction
What we’re looking for
- Strong experience with C#, SQL, AWS and Redis
- A background in real‑time or state‑driven systems (game engines, gambling platforms or similar)
- Solid understanding of system design and scalable architecture
- Experience working with REST APIs, Git and agile environments
- Knowledge of real‑money gaming (RNG, RTP, game state) would be a big plus
- Someone who can balance hands‑on coding with leading a team
It’d be great if you also have
- Experience integrating with front‑end games, wallets or external APIs
- Exposure to performance tuning, load testing or observability tools
- Familiarity with cloud‑native or containerised environments
The kind of person you are
- You enjoy leading but still love being close to the code
- You’re confident making decisions and owning technical direction
- You naturally support and develop others around you
- You’re collaborative and enjoy working across different teams
- You care about building quality products and strong teams
Why tombola?
We’re not your typical tech company. Everything we build is in‑house, giving you real ownership and the chance to make an impact. You’ll be part of a team that genuinely cares about:
- Doing things the right way
- Supporting each other
- Building products we’re proud of
Plus... we’ve got some great benefits too - take a look here to find out more. At tombola we know that our differences make us stronger and that thinking differently is key to long term success. We work hard to create a culture of inclusivity where everyone can celebrate our Free to be me value. We are committed to creating opportunities for everyone here at tombola, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage individuals to apply, even if you don’t meet every requirement.
Lead Developer (Backend) – Game Studio in Sunderland employer: 慨正橡扯
At tombola, we pride ourselves on being a unique tech company that fosters a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. As a Lead Developer in our Sunderland office, you'll enjoy the perfect blend of hands-on coding and leadership, with opportunities for personal growth and the chance to make a real impact on our game engine systems. With a commitment to supporting each other and building quality products, tombola offers a rewarding work environment alongside great benefits.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Developer (Backend) – Game Studio in Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the gaming industry, especially those at tombola. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you've got a portfolio or GitHub with projects related to game engines or backend systems, make sure to highlight them. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on coding experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your C#, SQL, and AWS knowledge. Be ready to discuss real-time systems and architectural decisions you've made in past projects. We love seeing how you think!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the tombola team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Developer (Backend) – Game Studio in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Developer role. Highlight your experience with C#, SQL, AWS, and any relevant projects you've worked on in real-time systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about game development and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of your leadership and coding experience to make it stand out.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, mention instances where you've tackled complex problems or improved system performance. We love seeing how you approach challenges, especially in a gaming context!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at 慨正橡扯
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your C#, SQL, AWS, and Redis skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in real-time systems or game engines. Prepare examples of past projects where you’ve made architectural decisions that improved performance or scalability.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, think about times when you've mentored others or driven high engineering standards. Be prepared to share specific instances where you supported your team through challenges or helped them grow their skills.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the gaming industry, especially real-money gaming concepts like RNG and RTP. This will help you connect your technical expertise with the business side of things during the interview, showing that you understand how your work impacts player experience and compliance.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
This role requires working closely with various teams, so think about your experiences collaborating with Product, QA, and Infrastructure teams. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully navigated cross-team dynamics and contributed to a cohesive project outcome.
