At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical performance efforts and mentor a talented team in game development.
- Company: Join Cast Iron Games, a young studio with a focus on quality and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a calm work environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-quality games while supporting your team's development.
- Qualifications: Extensive Unreal experience, strong C++ skills, and a passion for mentoring others.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
At Cast Iron Games, we build technically ambitious games in a calm, focused environment, where every team member has a voice. Based in Tileyard North, we collaborate with high-quality partners on high-quality projects, guided by clarity, consistency, and mutual respect. We’re a young and growing studio, but our team is made up of experienced developers who’ve worked across AAA and independent titles. Together, we’re building a supportive, balanced environment where great work happens without crunch.
As Lead Unreal Programmer, you’ll work across codebases to identify performance issues, resolve low-level technical challenges, and lead the team in shipping games that meet platform standards and run smoothly on real hardware. You’ll collaborate with production, QA, design, and other engineers to profile builds, tackle bottlenecks, and ensure we meet platform compliance requirements. You’ll also provide technical leadership, mentoring others, setting quality standards, and ensuring robust code makes it into builds across all platforms.
This is an ideal role for someone who loves getting into the weeds of real-time performance, threading, memory constraints, and platform quirks, but who also enjoys helping others learn, grow, and deliver their best work.
Responsibilities
- Lead technical performance efforts across projects.
- CPU/GPU profiling, optimisation, and memory tuning.
- Collaborate with QA and other engineers to debug and fix runtime issues (performance, crashes, hitches, etc.).
- Guide the team in preparing and shipping builds for multiple platforms (console and PC).
- Work closely with production to ensure compliance, certification, and platform-specific requirements are met.
- Own technical planning for platform deliverables.
- Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, supporting skill growth and autonomy.
- Review code and provide constructive feedback to ensure quality, performance, and maintainability.
- Collaborate with design and art teams to assess performance impact of content and tools.
- Help shape our engineering practices and tech culture with humility and clarity.
What We’re Looking For
- Extensive experience working in Unreal 4 or 5 on shipped or late-stage games.
- Proficiency in C++, Blueprints, and Unreal’s component-based architecture.
- Strong experience with profiling tools (e.g., Unreal Insights, RenderDoc, PIX, platform SDK tools).
- Working knowledge of threading, memory management, and system bottlenecks.
- Hands-on experience debugging and optimising across multiple hardware platforms.
- Familiar with console and PC platform APIs, submission requirements, and compliance challenges.
- Comfortable using Perforce or similar source control, and task/bug tracking tools such as Jira.
Lead (Unreal) Programmer employer: Cast Iron Games
At Cast Iron Games, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture where every voice is valued. Located in the vibrant Tileyard North, our studio offers a unique opportunity for growth and development, allowing you to work alongside seasoned professionals on ambitious projects without the stress of crunch time. As a Lead (Unreal) Programmer, you'll not only lead technical initiatives but also mentor emerging talent, ensuring a fulfilling and rewarding career path in the gaming industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead (Unreal) Programmer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at gaming events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially any projects related to Unreal Engine. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical questions and problem-solving scenarios. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail—this is where we can really show our stuff!
✨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 joining our team at Cast Iron Games.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead (Unreal) Programmer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Performance:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for performance optimisation and technical problem-solving. Share specific examples of how you've tackled performance issues in past projects, especially in Unreal Engine.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Lead Programmer, we want to know how you’ve mentored others and fostered team growth. Include anecdotes that showcase your ability to guide junior engineers and promote a collaborative environment.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity in communication. Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements and keep your language straightforward to convey your experience effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cast Iron Games
✨Know Your Unreal Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Unreal Engine 4 and 5. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, focusing on performance optimisation and technical challenges you've tackled. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the engine, but that you can also apply your skills effectively.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've identified and resolved performance issues in past projects. Discuss the tools you used, like Unreal Insights or RenderDoc, and how your solutions improved the overall game experience. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical leadership capabilities.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with production, QA, and design teams, be ready to talk about your experience collaborating with different departments. Share instances where your input helped shape a project or where you mentored others, highlighting your ability to foster a supportive environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during the interview. Brush up on topics like threading, memory management, and platform compliance. Being able to articulate your understanding of these concepts will show that you’re well-prepared for the challenges of the role.
