At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical projects in game development and collaborate with top-tier clients.
- Company: Join d3t, a leading studio in videogame technology and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous holiday, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and team collaboration.
- Why this job: Make an impact on exciting AAA projects while enjoying a no-crunch policy.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in game development, expert in C++, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € 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 ROLE - TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
d3t are in a position to hire a key member of our engineering department to enable us to take on new projects and opportunities. We are looking for a permanent Technical Director to join our established Engineering Team. The role can be 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.
A Technical Director at d3t plays a key role in the engineering department, being the technical owner and point of contact both internally and externally with our clients on our outsourcing and co-development projects. They ensure excellent technical standards, leadership, and technical decision making, as well as being hands-on in the development and planning of the work from project kick-off to completion. Technical Directors at d3t have the opportunity to work with world-renowned clients from across the globe on a variety of projects, from full project development including new IP, ports, remasters and remakes, to platform ownership, feature ownership and code base consultations. Technical Directors at d3t may also get involved in technical response to RFPs, new technologies, plug-ins, systems and other internal initiatives.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Technical lead for co-dev, outsource, new IP, ports, remasters and/or remakes
- Project kick-off and infrastructure setup; establishing build pipelines, CI/CD, coding standards
- Project high-level technical planning, decisions, delegation and risk management
- Technical evaluation and decisions on appropriate software, tech stacks for current and potential projects
- Ensuring and encouraging high quality of engineering through leadership, establishing standards, reviews and sign-offs on TDDs and code submissions
- Technical communications with all disciplines, leadership teams and stakeholders
- Global collaboration with client developers
- Represent the studio's technical capabilities in potential and current client calls
- Code base consultation and evaluation, modern and archived
- Technical knowledge sharing and advice across departments
- Identification of new tools, software and their development
Requirements
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE + SKILLS
- Experience: 10+ years, released titles, all stages of the development life cycle
- Leadership: Experienced in project technical leadership, representation and decision making
- Engines: Proprietary experience essential
- Languages: Expert in C++
- Common Tools: Experience in setting up project infrastructure from project inception including source control, IDEs & build infrastructure
- Techniques: Expert in object-oriented and/or data-driven development
- Enthusiasm: Will take on any challenge from resurrecting old code bases to the key technical leader in new projects
- Teamwork: Excel in leading and working as part of a team. Able to advise on team requirements and structures
- Communication: Able to clearly discuss technical updates, risks and solutions 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
- Solution Focused: Examples of proactively raising risks and then driving and convincing others of the required solutions
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE + SKILLS
- Experience with Unreal or Unity
- Multiple programming languages
- Various project management frameworks
- Ports, Remasters, Remakes
- Low level console development
- Co-development or outsourcing experience
- Confidence in memory and performance optimizations
- Rendering experience
TEAMMATES
Hear from our Director of Technology (previously Technical Director) Lyndon Jones on his experiences at d3t and from our Technical Director Aram Rodriguez by clicking below:
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.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays + up to 5 days extra for length of service)
- Company Pension Scheme (+ Employer Contribution)
- 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
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- 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.
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.
Technical Director - d3t in Daresbury employer: Keywords Studios
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. With a strong anti-crunch ethos, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and diverse project opportunities, our team enjoys a healthy work-life balance while collaborating on exciting AAA titles. Located in the picturesque areas of Daresbury and Newcastle, we provide an engaging workplace with numerous benefits, including generous holiday allowances, private medical insurance, and regular team events.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director - d3t in Daresbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the gaming industry, especially those at d3t or similar studios. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about sliding into DMs on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that align with what d3t does. Whether it’s game development, coding, or tech leadership, make sure your experience shines through. A strong portfolio can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching d3t’s projects and values. Understand their anti-crunch mentality and how they support their teams. When you show that you’re not just interested in the role but also in the company culture, it’ll definitely impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the d3t family. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director - d3t in Daresbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for gaming and technology shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely excited about the projects we work on at d3t.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience that aligns with the Technical Director role. Focus on your leadership skills, technical expertise, and any notable projects you've worked on. We love seeing how your background fits with our needs!
Be Clear and Concise:In your written application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language to describe your experiences and achievements. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at d3t!
How to prepare for a job interview at Keywords Studios
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around C++ and the engines mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled challenges in game development.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Technical Director, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams, made critical decisions, and managed risks in previous roles. This will show that you're not just technically savvy but also a great leader.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You'll be interacting with various stakeholders, including non-technical clients, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Think about how you can convey your ideas clearly and concisely.
✨Be Ready for Collaboration
Highlight your experience working in collaborative environments. d3t values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked with different departments and clients in the past. Share specific examples of successful collaborations and what you learned from them.