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 supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with top industry partners.
- 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
- 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
- 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
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.
Benefits- 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 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 ensure that our team members can maintain a healthy work-life balance while pursuing their passion for game development. With ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship, particularly for those in senior roles, we are committed to nurturing talent and driving innovation within the gaming industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Lead Programmer – Flexible Hours & Health Benefits
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the gaming industry, attend events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, especially those that highlight your leadership and technical abilities. Make sure to include any games you've shipped and the technologies you've used – this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common programming challenges and team management scenarios. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and solved problems in past projects. Practice makes perfect, so consider mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Tailor your application to highlight your experience in leading teams and working with various engines. Show us why you're the perfect fit for the Senior Lead Programmer role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Lead Programmer – Flexible Hours & Health Benefits
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Programmer role. Highlight your experience in leading teams and working with various game engines, as this will show us you’re the right fit for the job.
Show Off Your Code Skills:Include examples of high-quality code you've written or projects you've led. We want to see your technical prowess, so don’t be shy about showcasing your C++ and C# expertise!
Mentorship Matters:Since mentoring is a key part of this role, share specific instances where you've guided junior programmers. This will help us understand your leadership style and how you support your team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Breath HR
✨Know Your Code Inside Out
As a Senior Lead Programmer, you’ll need to demonstrate your coding prowess. Brush up on C++, C#, and any other languages mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your past projects and the specific challenges you faced, as well as how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities, so prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you mentored junior programmers or resolved conflicts within your team. Highlight your approach to managing multiple projects and keeping everyone on track.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Company’s Projects
Research Secret Mode and their portfolio of games. Understanding their IPs and the platforms they work on will show your genuine interest in the company. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their projects and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills and knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, version control systems like Git, and build automation. Practise explaining complex concepts clearly, as you may need to communicate these ideas to non-technical stakeholders.
