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- Tasks: Lead the technical vision and execution of HELIX, our multiplayer game creation framework.
- Company: Join Hypersonic Laboratories, a diverse team building the ultimate open-world multiplayer sandbox.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with 2 days in our Guildford studio and competitive perks.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team shaping the future of gaming with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in game programming, with 3 shipped Unreal Engine titles and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: This is a hands-on role where you'll actively code and mentor a talented engineering team.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
At Hypersonic Laboratories, we are looking for a Lead of Engineering to take technical ownership of HELIX, our in-house open-world multiplayer game creation framework. The role is hybrid, involving 2 days a week at our Guildford, UK studio.
Who are we? Hypersonic Laboratories is building HELIX, the ultimate open-world multiplayer sandbox. We are a diverse, experienced, international team and have raised $11M from top gaming VCs.
About the role: We’re seeking an experienced, product-focused technical leader to take charge of the technical vision and execution of HELIX. You’ll operate as a founding engineer or technical cofounder, helping scale our modular, multiplayer-first sandbox framework built on Unreal Engine 5. This is a hands-on leadership position: you’ll be actively coding while also working closely with production to manage a small core team of engineers and scripters, guiding the development process, and ensuring our systems meet the scale and ambition of our platform.
The ideal candidate would have:
- 10+ years of experience and at least 3 shipped Unreal Engine titles
- Deep Unreal expertise (including networking, plugins, and tools)
- A passion for building powerful and extensible systems
You’ll work directly with leadership to ensure HELIX ships on time, on spec, and with excellence.
What you will be doing:
- Acting as technical owner of HELIX, setting the direction and standards across all technical systems.
- Leading and mentoring the engineering team, providing code reviews, technical guidance, and architectural oversight.
- Contributing code daily—this is a hands-on leadership role.
- Overseeing and implementing systems across gameplay, networking, tooling, UI, online services, backend, and DevOps.
- Collaborating with other departments (gameplay, art, production) to ensure engine features meet evolving needs.
- Spearheading the adoption of AI/ML-driven workflows and tooling across the engineering org.
- Recruiting, onboarding, and mentoring technical team members.
- Maintaining a high level of responsiveness, adaptability, and technical excellence in a fast-paced environment.
- Championing engineering culture, team cohesion, and sustainable development practices.
- Supporting with hiring to grow the engineering team according to project needs and studio values.
What we will need from you:
- 10+ years of professional experience as a game/engine programmer, including technical leadership on shipped titles or platforms.
- At least 3 shipped titles built with Unreal Engine.
- Deep expertise in Unreal Engine—including networking, gameplay systems, Lyra framework, motion matching, custom plugins/tools, and engine extensions.
- Proven experience building and scaling engineering teams.
- Strong background in gameplay programming, multiplayer architecture, and online subsystem integrations (e.g. EOS, Steam, etc).
- Competence in backend systems, scalable services, and DevOps pipelines.
- Proficiency in CI/CD, debugging, and performance optimization.
- Familiarity with web technologies (HTML/CSS/JS) for platform or dashboard/launcher related features.
- Passion for empowering creators through extensibility, modularity, and clean systems architecture.
Nice to have:
- Experience with UGC platforms, modding frameworks, or live service ecosystems.
- Experience building or contributing to game development tools for teams or communities.
- Previous work in fast-moving startup or small team environments.
Value alignment: You thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments where efficiency, agility, and a strong team culture lead to significant and meaningful impact. You enjoy working closely with other disciplines, wearing multiple hats, and iterating quickly. You’re excited by ambitious creative tools and believe in enabling others through technology.
Ready to join our team as our new Engineering Lead? Then we would love to hear from you!
Lead Engineer employer: Hypersonic Laboratories
Contact Detail:
Hypersonic Laboratories Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to showcase your hands-on coding experience in Unreal Engine. Since this role requires active coding, be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've contributed code and led technical initiatives.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've mentored teams or guided projects. This position is about leading a small core team, so demonstrating your ability to inspire and manage others will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in AI/ML-driven workflows, as this is a key focus for the role. Being able to discuss how you can implement these technologies in game development will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with multiplayer architecture and online subsystem integrations. Given the nature of HELIX, showcasing your expertise in these areas will demonstrate your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your 10+ years of experience in game/engine programming, especially focusing on your technical leadership roles and the three shipped Unreal Engine titles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise in networking, gameplay systems, and other relevant areas.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for building powerful and extensible systems. Mention your experience with AI/ML-driven workflows and how you can contribute to the engineering culture at Hypersonic Laboratories. Be sure to align your values with their emphasis on collaboration and team cohesion.
Showcase Relevant Projects: If possible, include links to projects or portfolios that showcase your work with Unreal Engine, particularly any multiplayer architecture or online subsystem integrations. This will give them a clear view of your capabilities and past contributions.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your experience in leading and mentoring engineering teams. Discuss your approach to code reviews, technical guidance, and architectural oversight, as these are key aspects of the Lead Engineer role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hypersonic Laboratories
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Unreal Engine in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've implemented networking, gameplay systems, or custom plugins. This will demonstrate your deep understanding of the engine and its capabilities.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and leading a team, share examples of how you've successfully guided engineers in previous roles. Discuss your approach to code reviews and how you foster a collaborative environment.
✨Prepare for Hands-On Coding Challenges
Expect to engage in coding exercises during the interview. Brush up on your coding skills, particularly in areas relevant to multiplayer architecture and backend systems. Being hands-on is crucial for this position.
✨Align with Company Values
Research Hypersonic Laboratories' culture and values. Be ready to discuss how your work ethic and passion for empowering creators align with their mission. Showing that you fit into their team culture can set you apart from other candidates.
