At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to build innovative AI-driven digital actors for interactive media.
- Company: Join a pioneering company at the forefront of AI and gaming.
- Benefits: High ownership, direct impact, and collaboration in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Work in a fast-paced, London-based team with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of gaming with cutting-edge technology and creative storytelling.
- Qualifications: Experience leading teams and a strong interest in games and interactive systems.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Iconic
We’re building digital actors: AI-driven characters that don’t just talk, but act; shaping the world, responding to the player, and driving stories that evolve through both words and actions.
The Mission
We believe games and interactive media are on the verge of a fundamental shift. Today’s experiences are largely scripted, characters follow predefined paths, and player choice is limited. We’re building systems that change that: digital actors that can think, communicate, and take action in real time. Our goal is to create worlds that are truly alive. Worlds where stories emerge from interaction, and every player experience is unique. Recent advances in AI make this possible for the first time. The challenge now is turning that potential into real, scalable systems that people can play.
The Role
We’re looking for an Engineering Manager to lead a small, high‑calibre team while remaining highly hands‑on. This is a hybrid role: part leadership, but primarily hands‑on individual contributor. You’ll be responsible for driving execution, shaping technical direction, and personally building core systems alongside your team; playing a central role in turning a new category of interactive systems into reality. You should expect to spend a significant portion of your time writing code and working directly in the systems you’re helping to design. This is not just an implementation role. You’ll be working at the frontier of a new medium, helping define what digital actors are, how they behave, and how players interact with them. This requires strong product intuition and a genuine interest in games and interactive systems. A background in games is not required, but a strong interest in games, and a curiosity about how they could evolve is essential.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and mentor a small team of engineers, setting a high technical bar
- Remain deeply hands‑on owning and building core systems, writing production code, and contributing directly to key features
- Take ownership of critical systems
- Own project delivery: planning, prioritisation, and execution
- Bring strong engineering practices and help create a high‑performance culture
- Work closely with product to shape features and make pragmatic trade‑offs
- Contribute across the stack, choosing the right tools and languages for each problem
- Help define and evolve our technical architecture as we scale
What We’re Looking For
- Experience leading high-performing engineering teams
- Recent experience spending a meaningful portion of time coding, not just managing
- Strong hands‑on engineering background. You are actively building production systems today and comfortable owning them end-to-end
- Experience delivering software from concept through to production
- Comfortable working in cross‑functional environments, including collaboration with researchers
- Tech‑agnostic mindset: willing to work across languages, tools, and systems
- Strong understanding of engineering best practices (testing, CI/CD, system design, code quality)
- Product-minded: able to balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints
- Strong interest in games, simulation, or interactive experiences
Nice to Have
- Experience in startups or small, fast‑moving teams
- Exposure to game development, real-time systems, or simulation
- Experience with AI/ML systems or data‑driven products
Why Join Us
- Build at the frontier of AI and interactive entertainment
- High ownership and direct impact in a small team
- Work on technically challenging, meaningful problems
- Help shape both the product and engineering culture from an early stage
- London-based team with in‑person collaboration
Tech Lead employer: Kindredventures
At Iconic, we are at the forefront of revolutionising interactive media, offering a unique opportunity for Tech Leads to engage in hands-on development while leading a talented team. Our London-based environment fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing you to tackle technically challenging problems that have a direct impact on the future of gaming. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and a culture that values creativity and ownership, Iconic is an excellent employer for those passionate about shaping the next generation of digital experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tech Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI or interactive systems. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do beyond just a CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding the latest trends in AI and gaming. Practice common technical questions and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to building digital actors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Tech Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Games:When you're writing your application, let your love for games and interactive media shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in how these experiences can evolve, so share any relevant projects or ideas that excite you!
Be Hands-On in Your Approach:Since this role is all about being hands-on, make sure to highlight your recent coding experience. Talk about the systems you've built and the technologies you've worked with. We’re looking for someone who’s not just a manager but also an active contributor.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with our mission of creating digital actors. Show us how your background fits into our vision.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kindredventures
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest technologies relevant to the role. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with production systems. They’ll want to see that you can not only lead but also dive into the code when needed.
✨Show Your Passion for Games
Since this role is all about creating interactive experiences, demonstrate your genuine interest in games and how they could evolve. Share examples of games you love and discuss what excites you about the future of interactive media. This will show them you’re not just a techie, but someone who understands the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Leadership Questions
As a Tech Lead, you’ll need to showcase your leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve mentored teams in the past, set technical standards, and driven project delivery. Think of specific examples where you’ve made a significant impact on your team’s performance.
✨Understand Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with Iconic's mission to create digital actors and how they plan to revolutionise gaming. Prepare thoughtful questions about their current projects and challenges. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to their vision and success.
