At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop immersive gameplay features and collaborate with a talented team of programmers.
- Company: Frontier, an independent video game developer in the vibrant tech hub of Cambridge.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, private healthcare, flexible hours, and relocation support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on wellbeing and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and shape the future of gaming experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in C++ programming and a passion for video games.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.
This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.
WHAT'S THE ROLE?
We are looking for a Senior Gameplay Programmer to join our team and play an important role in delivering quality experiences to our players. Joining an established and diverse team, you will bring experience, expertise, curiosity and energy to the development of our games. You will program primarily in C++ working with our in-house Cobra engine and cross-platform game code.
As part of our development team, you will have a fantastic opportunity to apply, expand and share your expertise in modern game development techniques, and help push the boundaries of the current generation of gaming platforms. You will be collaborating with a talented team of programmers working on game features alongside specialists in other disciplines. You will also collaborate with game designers and QA testers on tuning the player experience.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the team behind our multi‑million‑selling, cross‑platform titles and help us continue delivering great gaming experiences to our players.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Architecting and developing project level features and systems.
- Collaborating effectively with team members and discipline leads.
- Designing and implementing gameplay systems using structured, efficient, maintainable, and well‑documented code.
- Considering the impact of systems on other disciplines and projects, ensuring usability, scalability, and support for long-term maintenance.
- Guiding more junior programmers and providing feedback on their code, documentation and approach to game development.
- Creating and maintaining project wide documentation for more complex systems, features and workflows.
- Participating in, contributing to, and occasionally leading aspects of project reviews and meetings, as required.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING
- A track record in the development of complex gameplay features in released titles.
- Excellent problem solving and programming skills using modern C++.
- Experience working in a large codebase with the ability to adapt to established methods.
- Proficient profiling and optimisation skills for CPU performance and memory usage.
- Experience of cross-discipline collaboration with game designers and content creators.
- A genuine passion for video games.
- A desire to be part of a world class team and contribute to its continued success.
- A proactive approach to collaborative learning and knowledge sharing with colleagues.
- A drive to expand your existing expertise in game development, and a passion for continued learning and self-improvement.
BONUS IF YOU HAVE
- Experience working with a proprietary game engine.
- Familiarity leading and directing teams for the development of core systems, game features or workstreams.
- Experience managing or mentoring other programmers to support their growth.
- Cross-platform development experience on shipped titles, including consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.).
- Working knowledge of an entity component system.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.
Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.
We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.
For queries, please email: recruitment@frontier.co.uk
Senior Programmer in Cambridge employer: Frontier Developments
Frontier Developments is an exceptional employer that values innovation and creativity, providing a dynamic work environment in the heart of Cambridge. With a strong emphasis on work/life balance, employees enjoy comprehensive benefits and ample opportunities for professional growth, including mentorship roles for those looking to advance their careers. The collaborative culture fosters teamwork and encourages a user-focused approach to tool design, making it a rewarding place for passionate programmers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programmer in Cambridge
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Frontier Developments or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Frontier Developments.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Frontier Developments.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Frontier Developments that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programmer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Frontier Developments.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Frontier Developments and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Frontier Developments
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Frontier Developments uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.