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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor an engineering team while contributing hands-on to game development.
- Company: Join a leading indie studio known for innovative open-world multiplayer games.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with flexible on-site days and a vibrant studio culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of gaming in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in game programming with leadership experience and expertise in Unreal Engine.
- Other info: This role does not offer sponsorship, so applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Skillsearch are working with an indie studio to find an Engineering Lead to work on an open-world multiplayer sandbox developed in Unreal Engine 5. This is a hybrid role with 2 days on-site at the studio in Guilford. Sorry, the studio cannot offer sponsorship including transfers.
Responsibilities include:
- Project technical owner, setting direction and standards across all systems.
- Leading and mentoring the engineering team with hands-on code contributions and architectural oversight.
- Building systems across gameplay, networking, tools, UI, online services, backend, and DevOps.
- Hiring, onboarding, and growing a high-performing engineering team.
- Championing a strong, sustainable engineering culture in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements:
- 10+ years of professional experience as a game/engine programmer with technical leadership on shipped titles.
- Shipped titles using Unreal Engine with deep expertise in networking, gameplay systems, Lyra, motion matching, custom tools, and engine extensions.
- Proven track record in building and scaling engineering teams.
- Strong background in multiplayer architecture and online integrations (e.g., experience with backend systems, scalable services, DevOps, CI/CD, and performance optimization).
Skillsearch is a global market leader in Games recruitment.
Lead Engineer (Contract) employer: Skillsearch
Contact Detail:
Skillsearch Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer (Contract)
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to showcase your experience with Unreal Engine 5 prominently. Highlight any specific projects where you've contributed to multiplayer systems or gameplay mechanics, as this will resonate well with the studio's needs.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the gaming industry, especially those who have worked with indie studios or on similar projects. Attend relevant meetups or online forums to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the studio's culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully built and mentored engineering teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've fostered a strong engineering culture in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in multiplayer architecture and online integrations. Being able to discuss current best practices and innovations in these areas will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer (Contract)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your 10+ years of experience as a game/engine programmer. Emphasise your technical leadership roles and any shipped titles, particularly those developed using Unreal Engine.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, discuss your experience with multiplayer architecture and online integrations. Mention specific projects where you have built and scaled engineering teams, showcasing your leadership skills.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your expertise in networking, gameplay systems, and DevOps in your application. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate your hands-on contributions and architectural oversight.
Highlight Cultural Fit: Discuss your approach to fostering a strong engineering culture in fast-paced environments. Share examples of how you've mentored teams and contributed to a sustainable engineering culture in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Skillsearch
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Unreal Engine 5 in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've contributed to gameplay systems, networking, and tools. This is your chance to demonstrate your deep understanding of the technical aspects required for the role.
✨Emphasise Leadership Experience
Since this role involves leading and mentoring a team, share examples of how you've successfully built and scaled engineering teams in the past. Discuss your approach to fostering a strong engineering culture and how you handle challenges in a fast-paced environment.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face technical challenges during the interview. Prepare to walk through your thought process on how you would tackle issues related to multiplayer architecture, online integrations, and performance optimisation. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and technical leadership.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Demonstrate your interest in the studio by asking thoughtful questions about their current projects, team dynamics, and future goals. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the studio's culture aligns with your values.
