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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 at least 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 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
At Hypersonic Laboratories, we're 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'd love to hear from you!
Locations
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
Familiarise yourself with the HELIX framework and its current capabilities. Understanding the technical vision and challenges of the project will allow you to speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully led engineering teams in the past. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your guidance made a significant impact on project outcomes.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Hypersonic Laboratories, if possible. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with Unreal Engine in detail, particularly focusing on multiplayer architecture and any innovative solutions you've implemented. This will demonstrate your deep expertise and passion for the technology they use.
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 leadership roles and the three shipped Unreal Engine titles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your deep expertise in Unreal Engine and relevant technologies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for building powerful systems and your excitement about the HELIX project. Mention how your experience aligns with the role's requirements, particularly in leading teams and contributing to multiplayer architecture.
Showcase Relevant Projects: If possible, include links to your previous projects or portfolios that showcase your work with Unreal Engine and any relevant gameplay programming. This will give the hiring team a tangible sense of your capabilities and style.
Highlight Team Collaboration: Emphasise your experience in collaborating with cross-functional teams. Discuss how you've worked closely with production, art, and other departments to meet project goals, as this is crucial for the Lead Engineer role at Hypersonic Laboratories.
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 leading a team, share examples of how you've successfully mentored engineers or managed technical projects. Discuss your approach to code reviews and architectural oversight to show your leadership style.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Talk about your experience working with cross-functional teams, such as art and production. Provide examples of how you’ve collaborated to meet project goals and how you adapt to evolving needs within a team environment.
✨Express Your Passion for Innovation
Convey your enthusiasm for building extensible systems and adopting new technologies like AI/ML. Share any relevant experiences where you've implemented innovative solutions or improved workflows, showcasing your forward-thinking mindset.
