Lead C++ Software Engineer (Gameplay) in Edinburgh

Lead C++ Software Engineer (Gameplay) in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Playrix

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team in developing exciting gameplay features and optimising game performance.
  • Company: Join Playrix, a top mobile game developer with a global reach.
  • Benefits: Flexible work hours, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Enjoy a vibrant culture with regular events and a focus on innovation.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of gaming technology and shape the future of mobile games.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in C++ or Unity development and team management experience.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

Playrix is one of the most successful mobile game development companies in the world. We are among the top 3 in revenue for all mobile applications globally, and we are first in Europe. Our games have been installed 2.3 billion times (one-third of the world's population), with over 30 million people playing them daily!

We have ambitious plans for the development and growth of our projects, which is why we are looking for the strongest experts to join our development teams. Experience in C++ and/or game development is not mandatory; we have an excellent adaptation system for a comfortable transition for newcomers from Unity and other industries.

The development teams are the core of our company, enabling our games to grow and evolve for 21 years. The Lead Software Engineer is a driver of technical product development, leading and developing the team in terms of architecture, quality, culture, and engineering practices.

In each project, we focus on:

  • Feature Development: creating events and mini-games from scratch (from various competitions to mini-games like Merge);
  • Technical: optimisation, maintaining technical stability, SDK (reducing load times, memory consumption, etc.);
  • Match-3 and Meta: working with graphics and core game mechanics (adding new functionality, refactoring, and optimisation).

Tasks include:

  • People management: responsibility for development, hiring/firing, team evaluation;
  • Improving processes within teams (both at the team level and across the entire project development);
  • Producing: solving complex technical problems on projects, developing architectural solutions, and ensuring rapid implementation;
  • Monitoring stability and quality of the game's software;
  • Code review and design review;
  • Programming and refactoring game logic.

Our tech stack includes:

  • Languages: C++, with Lua and Python for specific tasks;
  • Graphics: OpenGL ES and Metal;
  • Our own engine, similar to Unity or Unreal, which we continuously develop;
  • Advanced CI/CD, automated testing, code review processes, and more;
  • AI assistants: we use Cursor for automation and speeding up development (from routine tasks to planning and decomposition).

We expect:

  • At least 3 years of experience in commercial project development using C++ and/or Unity;
  • Experience in developing projects released in production;
  • At least 1 year of experience managing a team of programmers (3+ people).

It would be a plus to have:

  • Proficient knowledge of modern C++ standards (C++ 14/17) and STL;
  • Experience with popular game engines (Unity, Unreal, Godot, Cocos2D, Defold, etc.);
  • Experience with AI assistants for development (Cursor, Copilot, etc.);
  • Experience in developing mobile casual games.

We offer a great work environment because we have:

  • Open communication and transparency in decision-making, sharing experiences within teams;
  • A focus on code quality and reliability;
  • A commitment to developing product vision for every specialist in the company. Our developers understand how a feature will work for users and play the games they develop;
  • The ability to change processes and approaches to more effective ones without lengthy approvals and bureaucracy;
  • Clear opportunities for career advancement to technical director, programming manager, or project manager.

We actively use Cursor and other AI tools in the development process — you will have the opportunity to work at the forefront of technology, share experiences, and shape best practices for their application.

We provide:

  • Flexibility in work: For most positions, we offer flexible hours and remote work. We focus on results rather than location or method of task execution.
  • Health and well-being support: We provide health insurance for employees and their children, reimburse online sessions with psychologists, maintain 100% salary during vacations or sick leave without unnecessary paperwork, and offer additional days off for special cases. We support a healthy lifestyle and reimburse the purchase of sports memberships and subscriptions to fitness apps.
  • Development and training: We cover participation in relevant conferences and courses, and conduct internal conferences. We reimburse language learning.
  • Events and merchandise: We regularly hold entertainment and work events offline: team meetings, large corporate parties, and lighter office parties. We also regularly conduct entertainment contests, quizzes, hackathons, and sports challenges online. We have our own merchandise store with internal currency, where unique gifts can be purchased. Currency is given for significant dates and can also be earned by participating in events and brand activities.

By applying for our vacancy, you agree that your personal data collected during interviews at Playrix will be processed in accordance with the terms outlined on our website. You can send requests regarding your personal data to job@playrix.com.

Lead C++ Software Engineer (Gameplay) in Edinburgh employer: Playrix

Playrix is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises open communication and transparency. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide clear pathways for advancement into roles such as technical director or project manager, alongside flexible working arrangements and comprehensive health benefits. Our commitment to innovation is reflected in our use of cutting-edge AI tools, ensuring that our team members are at the forefront of technology while enjoying a supportive and engaging work environment.

Playrix

Contact Details:

Playrix Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead C++ Software Engineer (Gameplay) in Edinburgh

Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Playrix or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Playrix.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Playrix.

Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

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We think you need these skills to ace Lead C++ Software Engineer (Gameplay) in Edinburgh

C++ Programming
Unity Development
Team Management
Architectural Design
Code Review
Game Logic Refactoring
OpenGL ES

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Playrix.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Playrix and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Playrix

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Playrix uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.