Senior Programmer d3t - 6 Month Contract in Daresbury

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 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.

This opportunity will be a 6‑month Fixed Term Contract (possible extension) based in either of our UK studio sites (Daresbury or Newcastle), on a hybrid working basis. Working pattern – 3 days per week in the studio: Wednesday, Thursday and another day of your choice.

We are looking for a Senior 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. We are particularly looking for a Senior Programmer with professional experience in at least two of the following engines: Proprietary, Unreal, Unity or Frostbite and experience/ownership in any of: UI / Animation / Physics / Core Tech / Systems / Gameplay / 3Cs / Vehicle Physics.

A Senior Programmer at d3t is a key role in our balanced engineering and mixed discipline teams. Through collaborating with teams internally and with high‑profile external clients across the world they own and deliver systems and tech on a variety of games, platforms and engines. Our seniors are role models on the teams and have the opportunity to work on a vast range of tasks and projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Being open to working on a variety of programming disciplines (e.g. gameplay, core tech, low level, UI, tools) on proprietary or commercial engines and targeting a variety of platforms.
• Writing code to a high and performant standard by following expected coding standards, profiling and optimizing and collaborating with embedded QA.
• Collaborating with internal and global teams to plan, implement, review, and test code and systems.
• Gathering requirements from multiple disciplines and writing technical documentation to ensure features and systems are completed to a high standard and on time.
• Ownership of work and updating tech leads, production and designers on progress.
• Working in sub teams together with other programmers, other disciplines.
• Lead small sub or feature teams as the need arises.
• Taking part in team support and knowledge sharing through code reviews, calls and documentation.
• Continually updating own knowledge and skill sets.

Essential Skills + Experience:

• Languages: Multiple including C++ expertise.
• Engines: Professional experienced in at least two of the following Unreal, Unity, Frostbite, Proprietary.
• Knowledge: Owned the development of systems or features in any of (e.g. gameplay, UI, physics, networking, memory, animation, core tech, graphics etc.).
• Technology: Experienced with IDEs, source control.
• Enthusiasm: Will take on any challenge or responsibility.
• Growth: Driven to learn and improve.
• Role Model: Confident supporting junior teammates.
• Teamwork: Enjoy working as part of a team and supporting others.
• Communication: Clear, enthusiastic and able to discuss technical solutions and updates with multiple disciplines.
• Experience: 6+ years.

Desirable Skills + Experience:

• Released games.
• Console and/or Mobile development.
• Full development cycle.
• Porting games.
• Remasters, Remakes.
• Tools development.
• Build and infrastructure.
• Sub team leadership.
• Profiling.

We work flexibly, but value in‑person collaboration: this position is offered on a hybrid basis only (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:

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays + up to 5 days extra for length of service)
• Company Pension Scheme
• Flexible working hours
• Private Medical Insurance Scheme (including dental) - BUPA
• Eye Care Scheme
• Anti‑crunch ethos – a professional, fun and supportive working environment!
• Income Protection
• Discretionary Annual Bonus
• Free Parking
• Tech, Bike + Console Scheme
• 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.

First interviews will be held by video call, followed by second interviews on-site. 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.