Lead Engineer - Performance Engineering
Lead Engineer - Performance Engineering

Lead Engineer - Performance Engineering

Guildford Full-Time 54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the technical vision and execution of HELIX, our multiplayer game creation framework.
  • Company: Join Hypersonic Laboratories, creators of the ultimate open-world multiplayer sandbox.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with 2 days in our Guildford studio and flexible perks.
  • Why this job: Be a founding engineer shaping innovative gaming technology and mentoring a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in game programming with 3 shipped Unreal Engine titles and strong leadership skills.
  • Other info: Embrace a collaborative culture focused on creativity, efficiency, and impactful development.

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.

Hypersonic Laboratories is building HELIX, the ultimate open-world multiplayer sandbox. 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. Responsibilities include:

  • Leading and mentoring the engineering team, providing code reviews, technical guidance, and architectural oversight
  • Overseeing and implementing systems across gameplay, networking, tooling, UI, online services, backend, and DevOps
  • Spearheading the adoption of AI/ML-driven workflows and tooling across the engineering organisation
  • Championing engineering culture, team cohesion, and sustainable development practices
  • Supporting with hiring to grow the engineering team according to project needs and studio values

Additional qualifications include:

  • Strong background in gameplay programming, multiplayer architecture, and online subsystem integrations
  • 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
  • Experience building or contributing to game development tools for teams or communities

You thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments where efficiency, agility, and a strong team culture lead to significant and meaningful impact. You’re excited by ambitious creative tools and believe in enabling others through technology.

Ready to join our team as our new Engineering Lead?

Lead Engineer - Performance Engineering employer: Hypersonic Laboratories

At Hypersonic Laboratories, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration in our Guildford studio. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and mentorship, ensuring that our team members thrive while working on groundbreaking projects like HELIX. Our hybrid work model promotes a healthy work-life balance, allowing you to contribute to the future of gaming while enjoying the unique advantages of living in one of the UK's most vibrant tech hubs.
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Contact Detail:

Hypersonic Laboratories Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer - Performance Engineering

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest developments in Unreal Engine 5, especially focusing on multiplayer architecture and performance optimisation. This will not only enhance your technical knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the field.

✨Tip Number 2

Engage with the gaming community by participating in forums or attending industry events. Networking with other professionals can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals, which can significantly boost your chances of landing the job.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Highlighting your experience in mentoring and guiding engineers will resonate well with the hiring team at Hypersonic Laboratories.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your vision for the HELIX framework during interviews. Think about innovative ideas you could bring to the table, particularly around AI/ML-driven workflows, as this aligns with their goals and shows your proactive approach to the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer - Performance Engineering

Unreal Engine Expertise
Gameplay Programming
Multiplayer Architecture
Networking Systems
Technical Leadership
Team Management
Code Review
Architectural Oversight
AI/ML Workflows
DevOps Practices
CI/CD Proficiency
Performance Optimisation
Backend Systems Integration
Game Development Tools Creation
Web Technologies (HTML/CSS/JS)
Agile Methodologies
Collaboration Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Unreal Engine and any shipped titles. Emphasise your technical leadership roles and specific achievements in gameplay programming and multiplayer architecture.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for game development and how your experience aligns with the vision of HELIX. Mention your familiarity with AI/ML-driven workflows and your approach to building cohesive engineering teams.

Showcase Relevant Projects: Include links or descriptions of projects that demonstrate your expertise in Unreal Engine, especially those that involved networking, gameplay systems, or custom tools. This will give the hiring team insight into your hands-on experience.

Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to your experience with Unreal Engine and multiplayer systems. Be ready to discuss your problem-solving approaches and how you've implemented performance optimisation in past projects.

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 managed and mentored engineers in the past. Discuss your approach to fostering a collaborative environment and how you handle code reviews and technical guidance.

✨Discuss Your Vision for HELIX

Think about the future of the HELIX framework and be ready to share your ideas on how to enhance its capabilities. This shows that you're not just focused on the present but are also invested in the long-term success of the project.

✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. Be ready to walk through your thought process on how you would tackle issues related to performance optimisation, multiplayer architecture, or DevOps pipelines. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and technical acumen.

Lead Engineer - Performance Engineering
Hypersonic Laboratories
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