At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex programming projects and tackle exciting technical challenges in game development.
- Company: Join d3t, a top-rated studio known for its innovative game co-development.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, private medical care, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on work/life balance and no-crunch policy.
- Why this job: Make an impact on AAA games while collaborating with global clients and talented teams.
- Qualifications: 10+ years of programming experience, expertise in C++, and familiarity with game engines.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
d3t is at the forefront of videogame technology and creativity, delivering experienced co-development services to some of the biggest AAA clients in the world. Our studio, part of the global Keywords Studios Group, works on multiple exciting projects at any one time, offering plenty of variety and involvement.
Our studio projects have included EA SPORTS FC 26, Hogwarts Legacy, Exoborne, Mafia: The Old Country, Alan Wake Remastered, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Vampire The Masquerade - Blood Hunt, Mafia II: Definitive Edition, and Assetto Corsa Competizione. We also work in partnership with our global clients including Playground Games, EA and Archetype Entertainment.
The d3t studios are based near Daresbury (Cheshire), Newcastle (Tyne & Wear) and Madrid where we offer an amazingly professional and supportive working environment. We are passionate about what we do and pride ourselves on our anti-crunch mentality, mentoring ethos and have been awarded 'Best Places to Work' multiple times by gamesindustry.biz. In addition, we won 'Best Creative Service Provider' at Develop 2022 and were nominated in 2023 & 2024.
The Programming Team is expanding and this exciting opportunity for a Principal Programmer will be a 12 month fixed-term contract (with potential extension), based in either of our UK studio sites (Daresbury or Newcastle), on a hybrid working basis. The working pattern is 3 days per week in the studio: Wednesday, Thursday and another day of your choice.
Role – Principal Programmer
We are looking for a Principal Programmer to join our world class Engineering Team. At d3t we expect our programmers to be generalists, able to adapt to any technical challenge, but also play to their strengths and passions.
A Principal Programmer at d3t works alongside our Tech Directors and Leads to form the experienced core of the department. Our Principal Programmers can expect to take ownership on large, complex and interesting technological challenges for our high-profile clients around the globe on a variety of projects from AAA new IP and world renowned franchises to ports, remasters, remakes and embedded co-dev. At this time we are particularly looking for Principal Programmers with professional experience in at least two of the following engines: Proprietary, Unreal, Unity or Frostbite and experience/ ownership in any of the following: UI / Animation / Physics / Core Tech / Systems / Gameplay / 3Cs / Vehicle Physics.
Responsibilities
- Researching, owning, implementing and delivering large systems autonomously and as part of a team.
- Work on a variety of projects and low-level programming challenges, across PC and consoles.
- Take on the most complex programming tasks and bugs.
- Communicating and collaborating with multiple disciplines to deliver work on time, to spec and to a high standard.
- Work closely with local teams and global clients to gather requirements and update on progress.
- Support less experienced members of the engineering team through advice, code reviews and calls.
- Technical point of contact or lead on small projects or teams reporting to production and engineering leadership.
Essential Experience + Skills
- Experience: 10+ years
- Languages: Expertise in many including C++
- Engines: Experienced with commercial and bespoke game engines
- Knowledge: Developed large scale systems in any of (e.g. animation, gameplay, UI, physics, networking, memory, animation, core tech, graphics, profiling etc.)
- Technology: IDEs, source control, build infrastructure
- Confidence: Will take on any challenge or responsibility
- Dependability: Works autonomously, flexibly, proactively and to deadlines
- Growth: A desire to continually update knowledge and expertise
- Teamwork: Enjoy working as part of a team and supporting others as well as being the initial person working with clients on small teams.
- Communication: Able to clearly discuss technical detail, solutions and progress with multiple disciplines including non-technical developers and clients.
- Documentation: Able to write clear and detailed technical plans, schedules and usage documents to the highest standard.
Desirable Experience + Skills
- Knowledge of render tech
- Released games
- Low level console development
- Full development cycle
- Porting games
- Tools development
- Build and infrastructure
- Small team or sub team leadership
At d3t we work flexibly, but value in-person collaboration: this position is offered on a hybrid basis only at either of our UK sites (3 days per week in the studio: Wednesday, Thursday and another day of your choice). We value work/life balance and have a discretionary flexible hours system and operate a no-crunch policy as a studio.
d3t Studio Benefits & Perks
- 22 days holiday (+ bank holidays + 3 days festive studio closure)
- Company Pension Scheme (+ Employer Contribution)
- Flexible Working Hours
- Private Medical (including dental) - BUPA
- Anti-crunch ethos - a professional, fun and supportive working environment!
- Free Parking
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Company Socials, Monthly Lunches + Annual d3t Events
- Breakout Areas – filled with perks such as games, BBQ area, complimentary snacks to suit all dietary preferences etc.
Interviews will be held by video call. Don't meet every single requirement? Not a problem - please apply. At d3t we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace and culture. If this opportunity excites you but your current skills or past experience don't align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to still apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles within our team.
Principal Programmer d3t - 12 Month Contract in London employer: Keywords Studios Plc.
At d3t, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the gaming industry, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Our commitment to work-life balance, anti-crunch culture, and professional development opportunities ensures that our employees thrive both personally and professionally. With exciting projects and a collaborative atmosphere at our studios in Daresbury and Newcastle, we provide a unique opportunity for Principal Programmers to make a significant impact while enjoying a range of benefits including flexible working hours, private medical care, and engaging company events.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Programmer d3t - 12 Month Contract in London
✨Get Involved in Open-Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects is a brilliant way to showcase your skills and connect with other developers in the community. Not only will you beef up your GitHub profile but you might also catch the eye of someone at Keywords Studios Plc. who values hands-on experience over just theory.
✨Attend Local Tech Meetups
Tech meetups are gold mines for networking and discovering job opportunities, especially in the fast-paced world of software engineering. Check out local listings for events in your area and don’t shy away from introducing yourself. This could lead directly to a temporary position at Keywords Studios Plc.!
✨Showcase Your Work Online
With temporary roles, it’s all about standing out in a short space of time. Create a portfolio website where you highlight your projects and skills. Talk about your code, and provide links to your GitHub repositories. This will not only demonstrate your abilities but will also make it easier for recruiters at Keywords Studios Plc. to see what you bring to the table.
✨Leverage Temporary Job Boards
Don’t forget to check specialised job boards for temporary software development roles. Websites like We Work Remotely or Remote OK often list short-term gigs that can be a perfect fit. Apply directly through our website as well, making sure your application is sharp—temporary roles can move fast!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Programmer d3t - 12 Month Contract in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Skills:Make sure your CV highlights your tech stack and any programming languages you’re proficient in. Include specifics about any frameworks or technologies you’ve worked with; they can make you stand out in the sea of applicants. It’s all about showing that you have the chops we need at Keywords Studios Plc.!
Portfolio 2.0:Since you’re applying for a temporary gig, it’s super important to showcase a portfolio that highlights your best projects. Include links to GitHub or any personal projects that demonstrate what you can do in a real-world environment. This gives us a taste of your style and your problem-solving approach!
Keep It Brief and Relevant:With a temporary position, we want to see your ability to hit the ground running. Be concise in your CV and cover letter; stick to experiences that directly relate to the role. Highlight any previous temporary roles or freelance gigs that show your adaptability and quick learning!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic cover letter. Personalise it for Principal Programmer d3t - 12 Month Contract at Keywords Studios Plc.! Mention why this temporary role excites you and how you see yourself contributing in the short run. Show us what you've got and why you're the one for this quick turn-around!
How to prepare for a job interview at Keywords Studios Plc.
✨Nail the Technical Skills
For a software engineering role, you'll likely face technical questions or coding tasks during your interview. Brush up on the relevant programming languages and frameworks that Keywords Studios Plc. uses, and don’t forget to practice some coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Showing your coding prowess can really make you stand out!
✨Prepare for System Design Questions
Even for a temporary role, having a grasp of system design principles can be crucial. Be ready to discuss how you would architect a software solution, including discussing trade-offs, scalability, and performance considerations. Having examples from previous projects can really show off your analytical thinking.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to emphasise your ability to hit the ground running. Highlight experiences where you quickly adapted to new technologies or teams. Let’s make it clear to the interviewers at Keywords Studios Plc. that you can learn on the job and deliver results in a short timeframe!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure to have a portfolio or GitHub ready showcasing your projects. Having tangible evidence of what you've done—be it personal projects, contributions to open-source, or previous work—can convey how capable you are. Tailor this for what might interest Keywords Studios Plc., so it's relevant and sparks conversation during your interview.
