At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create AI-driven interactive systems and write production code.
- Company: Join an innovative company at the forefront of AI and gaming.
- Benefits: High ownership, direct impact, and collaboration in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Work in a London-based team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of interactive entertainment with cutting-edge technology.
- 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: AI-Driven Interactive Systems employer: Kindredventures
At Iconic, we are at the forefront of revolutionising interactive media, offering a unique opportunity for passionate individuals to lead and innovate in AI-driven character development. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and high ownership, allowing you to make a direct impact while tackling technically challenging problems. With a focus on employee growth and a commitment to shaping the future of gaming, joining our London-based team means being part of a transformative journey in a vibrant and dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tech Lead: AI-Driven Interactive Systems
✨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 technical questions and coding challenges. Practice makes perfect, so consider mock interviews with friends or use platforms that offer coding challenges to sharpen your skills.
✨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: AI-Driven Interactive Systems
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI and Games:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI-driven systems and interactive media shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about how games can evolve and the role technology plays in that.
Be Hands-On in Your Approach:Since this role is all about being hands-on, make sure to highlight your coding experience and any projects you've worked on. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to building systems or features, as we love seeing practical experience in action!
Tailor Your Application to Us:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to our mission and values. Mention how your skills align with what we’re doing at Iconic, especially around creating digital actors and interactive experiences.
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 it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen on 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 in AI and interactive systems. 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 engaging player experiences, demonstrate your genuine interest in games and interactive media. Share examples of how you’ve engaged with games, what excites you about their evolution, and how you envision the future of digital actors.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face some technical questions or even a coding challenge during the interview. Practice common algorithms and system design problems, and be ready to explain your thought process clearly. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and technical acumen.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership and Collaboration
Highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams and working in cross-functional environments. Be prepared to discuss how you mentor engineers, foster a high-performance culture, and collaborate effectively with product teams to deliver impactful features.
