At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead programming projects, mentor junior coders, and write high-quality code.
- Company: Join Secret Mode, a dynamic studio with a focus on innovative gaming.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, health benefits, and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the gaming industry while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in game development and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Secret Mode is looking to recruit a Lead Programmer to lead projects and manage programmers. From assigning tasks to writing code, and from mentoring junior coders to checking on the wellbeing of your team to meeting with clients, a Lead Programmer will have the opportunity to look after code and people as they work with a range of highly regarded IPs and external partners on many different platforms.
This is a lead level role, with a strong expectation of many years of experience within the games industry specifically. In addition to managing your team and project, and writing code, you will be expected to be hands-on with mentoring, setting technical direction, aiding your team in finding solutions to problems, and working with clients and other departments on a day-to-day basis.
Experience of leading teams is essential, as you will need to be versed in shepherding multiple projects to completion by working with a producer while you keep track of your team's progress. You will be relied upon to be pro-active in looking for technical and managerial solutions to potential problems with code and people before they cause lasting issues. You will need to be self-motivated and capable of working without direct supervision, but you will be expected to feedback periodically to the Technical Director.
Role Overview - key responsibilities
- Write high quality code that can be delivered on time
- Work on a wide variety of projects and tasks in various engines and languages
- Mentor and develop more junior members of the team
- Lead a programming team by planning and directing your own work and the work of your team
- Liaise with other disciplines and teams within the studio and external partners to facilitate development
- Ensure that build pipelines are in place to deliver regular, testable builds
- Interview candidates for programming roles within the studio
- Report to the Technical Director and assist in drawing up policy and best practices
- Adhere to and enforce programming best practices and standards
Skills and experience you need
- Has successfully led on the technical direction of games projects
- Experience of leading and mentoring teams of programmers
- Multiple years of experience working in games in a senior capacity, working with colleagues and stakeholders across departments
- Excellent knowledge of C++ and C#
- Experience shipping games using both Unity and Unreal Engine, as well as bespoke C++ engines
- Industry experience of working with other languages like Java and Objective-C, or scripting languages like Lua or Python
- A working understanding of different consoles and/or game streaming platforms, in addition to PC development
- Expert in Perforce and Git/GitHub, including defining branch and release strategies
- Solid understanding of CI/CD pipelines using TeamCity or similar
- Experience of writing technical documentation, to document investigations, approaches, and features
Skills and experience it would be great to have
- An understanding of working with the command line
- Be able to demonstrate a history of working with clients directly to ascertain their needs
- Experience of implementing automation for building projects and code
- Shipped titles on mobile
- Experience with web technologies for tooling, including Node.JS, React, MongoDB, and Grafana
Travel Requirements
This role requires you to be in our Leamington Spa studio for two days a week and may involve occasional travel to events.
Please note that this role is only open to applicants who have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship or consider applications from outside the UK.
• Flexitime working hours
• Pension Scheme
• Benefits platform with company funded allowance which includes:
-- Income Protection and Life cover
-- Private Healthcare coverage
-- Critical Illness
-- Online GP
Senior Lead Programmer – Flexible Hours & Health Benefits in Royal Leamington Spa employer: Breath HR
At Secret Mode, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our flexible working hours and comprehensive health benefits, including private healthcare and income protection, ensure that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally. With ample opportunities for mentorship and growth within the dynamic games industry, you'll be empowered to lead innovative projects while enjoying a supportive environment in our Leamington Spa studio.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lead Programmer – Flexible Hours & Health Benefits in Royal Leamington Spa
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the gaming industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, especially those that highlight your leadership and coding prowess. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions and scenarios specific to game development. Practice explaining your thought process when solving problems, as this will demonstrate your expertise and leadership style.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are passionate about joining our team. Plus, it shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lead Programmer – Flexible Hours & Health Benefits in Royal Leamington Spa
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your years of experience in the games industry. We want to see how you've led teams and projects, so don’t hold back on those juicy details!
Be Specific About Your Skills:Mention your expertise in C++, C#, Unity, and Unreal Engine. We love specifics, so if you've worked with other languages or tools, throw those in too! It helps us see how you fit into our team.
Tailor Your Application:Make your application personal! Use the job description as a guide and align your skills and experiences with what we’re looking for. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you get all the updates. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Breath HR
✨Know Your Code Inside Out
As a Senior Lead Programmer, you'll need to showcase your coding skills, especially in C++ and C#. Brush up on your knowledge of Unity and Unreal Engine, and be ready to discuss your past projects. Prepare to explain your thought process behind coding decisions and how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities, so be prepared to discuss your experience in managing teams. Think of specific examples where you've mentored junior programmers or led a project to success. Highlight your approach to team dynamics and how you ensure everyone is on track and motivated.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
You’ll be liaising with various departments and clients, so it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of cross-functional collaboration. Be ready to talk about how you’ve worked with other teams in the past and how you’ve ensured that technical solutions align with client needs and project goals.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect in-depth technical questions related to programming best practices, CI/CD pipelines, and version control systems like Git. Brush up on your knowledge of automation and documentation processes, as these are key aspects of the role. Practise explaining complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.
