Associate Lead Programmer (Unreal Engine) in Middlesbrough

We’re looking for an Associate Lead Programmer to join our award winning team in Middlesbrough (UK), home to the beautiful North Yorkshire coastline and countryside. As an Associate Lead Programmer at Double Eleven you’ll be leading a skilled code team, developing robust systems, optimising performance and ensuring top-tier code quality, all while fostering a collaborative and motivated environment. You’ll work closely with designers, artists and other disciplines, collaborating to bring ideas to life. As a key technical point of contact, you’ll also engage directly with clients, presenting game changing solutions and managing expectations to keep the project on track.

As a global gaming company, we've enabled millions to conquer Minecraft Dungeons, battle in Rust Console Edition and create new adventures in Fallout 76. Recently, we collaborated with Rockstar Games to bring Red Dead Redemption to the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 as well as partnered with Obsidian Entertainment on Grounded: Fully Yoked Edition for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 and 5. Double Eleven is a place where our people come first. Our 400-person team proudly represents over 30 nationalities.

We strive to avoid crunch, we offer flexible working hours to allow you to truly enjoy work/life balance whilst making great games and any overtime is always planned, optional and paid. We can support UK relocation and have both a dedicated People and Operation teams on standby to assist you. On this occasion, we’re unable to sponsor a visa for this role.

What you’ll be doing:

• Design, develop, test, and implement high-quality systems and gameplay code
• Conduct code reviews to maintain technical standards and improve code quality across the team
• Collaborate with designers, artists, and publishing teams to deliver the highest possible quality titles
• Lead and mentor a small team of programmers, supporting their professional development and ensuring timely, high-standard deliverables
• Work closely with production to define the project roadmap and deliver milestones according to schedule
• Participate in regular client meetings, serving as a technical point of contact for the project

What we’re looking for:

• Excellent knowledge and practical expertise in C++ programming
• Proven experience as an Associate Lead or Senior Programmer, with readiness to step into a larger leadership role
• Hands-on experience working with Unreal Engine
• Strong background in code optimisation and performance improvement
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines
• Ability to mentor and coach a small team of programmers, fostering professional growth and maintaining high technical standards
• Skilled at breaking down complex projects into structured, achievable tasks to ensure deadlines are met efficiently

Qualifications:

All relevant qualifications considered.

What to expect:

• Start your day any time between 8:00am and 10:00am
• 35 working hours per week with a 1 hour lunch break (with the opportunity to flex down to 30 minutes or up to 2 hours)
• Opportunity to apply for hybrid working (up to 2 days working from home per week)
• 28 days annual leave (20 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday)
• 1 day leave for your birthday and 1 day leave if you’re moving house
• Up to 10 days discretionary annual leave during our end of year break
• Potential for annual performance bonus
• 5 additional days annual leave for 5 years service and a further 5 days annual leave for your 10 years service milestone
• A brand new, state-of-the-art studio facilities that includes a market hall serving nutritious, subsidised meals, round-the-clock gym access, an auditorium and more
• Free breakfast options, juice, hot drinks and fruit
• Employee referral bonus (up to £2000!)
• Electric Car Scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free game codes, game swag and merchandise
• Family-friendly leave available
• Christmas Saving Scheme
• Free parking
• Best-in-class tools and workflows so you can focus on creativity
• Professional development and wellbeing
• Vitality Private Healthcare, discounts and rewards for you, your spouse and children (upon the successful completion of your 6 month probationary period)
• Access to mental health and wellbeing support via Plumm (includes 4 free video therapy sessions per month for both the employee and up to 3 family members aged 18+), unlimited text therapy, courses, meditations
• A personalised development plan with dedicated support tailored to your growth and goals
• Access to an accredited Academy providing professional qualifications (and access to 500 UK discounts and offers via TOTUM when registered as a student)
• A dedicated Workplace Experience team responsible for work environments, workplace and quality of employee life services to help foster collaboration, creativity and innovation
• In-studio wellbeing programmes and People team support

Team life:

• Free activities via our Bus Tours programme (where on occasion, partners and children are welcome to join you)
• Many team events to celebrate team and game milestones
• Sponsored team activities including football, basketball, book club, movie club and more
• Opportunity to contribute to our internal Employee Diversity and Equality Network

Ways to reach us:

If you have a general query or if you need support with your application and/or an alternative way to apply, please do not hesitate to contact our Talent team at jobs@double11.com.