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- Tasks: Build and scale backend services for an exciting MMORPG with real-time multiplayer gameplay.
- Company: Join Soulbound, a cutting-edge indie game studio in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible remote work, and the chance to shape a groundbreaking game.
- Why this job: Dive into thrilling challenges and make a real impact on a unique gaming experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with backend systems, Kubernetes, and a passion for MMO gaming.
- Other info: Be part of a close-knit team and help create a captivating virtual world.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Soulbound, a cutting-edge indie game studio based in London, is building a cross-platform MMORPG with pixel art aesthetics and browser-based access. We’ve built infrastructure for a single-shard game world that spins up localised regional clusters for instanced combat, delivering low-latency action RPG gameplay with the flexibility for players to play with anyone, from anywhere in the world, at any time. The game features real-time player-shared worlds, co-op dungeons, 10-player raids, player housing, questing, online and offline background crafting, auction houses, and live chat – all of it running simultaneously, all of it real-time.
The Role
We need backend engineers who can help us scale this infrastructure for launch and beyond. You’ll work directly with our CTO on the systems that keep thousands of players connected, fighting, trading, and exploring in the same world simultaneously. Our backend is 60+ microservices running on Google Kubernetes Engine. Stateful game servers, event-driven architecture with Kafka, MongoDB and PostgreSQL databases, WebSocket real-time communication, and multi-cluster orchestration. The system works at current scale; your job is making it work at 10x that. This role is perfect for a passionate individual contributor eager to tackle some of the most thrilling, challenging, and distinctive problems in contemporary software development. The real-time demands of an online MMO present a one-of-a-kind opportunity, and we’re searching for the brilliant mind ready to dive into these intricate, interconnected systems.
What You’ll Do
- Build, optimise, and scale backend services powering real-time multiplayer gameplay
- Work with GKE, Helm, and Kubernetes to manage deployments and autoscaling for stateful game servers
- Improve observability: monitoring dashboards, alerting (Prometheus/Grafana or GCP Cloud Monitoring), and incident response
- Scale distributed databases (MongoDB, PostgreSQL) under high concurrent load
- Optimise Kafka event streaming for player actions, game state, and inter-service communication
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks before they become player-facing problems
- Improve resilience and prevent cascading failures across services
- Collaborate on architectural decisions with a small, senior engineering team
Requirements
- Hands-on experience with Kubernetes (ideally GKE) in production
- Real experience scaling distributed systems under load
- Worked with at least some of: MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Kafka, Redis, pub/sub systems
- Comfortable with monitoring stacks (Prometheus, Grafana, Alertmanager, or equivalent)
- Infrastructure-as-code experience (Terraform, Helm)
- Self-directed Github / LinkedIn portfolio
What Sets You Apart
- Experience with game backends or real-time multiplayer systems
- Passion for MMO gaming experiences and understanding of MMO products in the market
- Worked with stateful server architectures (dedicated game servers)
- Experience with custom game server orchestration on Kubernetes
- Familiarity with Istio service mesh
- Previous work at a game studio, especially on live service/MMO titles
- A passion for the unique problems presented when operating a large scale MMO like this
100% remote, must overlap significantly with UK (GMT/BST) hours. Contract role, 4-8 weeks initially with extension likely post-launch. Full-time preferred, flexible for exceptional candidates. Competitive salary / monthly rate. Become a valued member of our close-knit, passionate indie team of 25. Play a key role in creating a groundbreaking virtual world that will captivate and welcome millions of players.
Backend Server Engineer (MMORPG) - GCP employer: Soulbound
Contact Detail:
Soulbound Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Server Engineer (MMORPG) - GCP
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the gaming industry, especially those who work at indie studios or have experience with MMOs. Attend gaming 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 backend projects, especially any related to gaming or real-time systems. If you’ve worked with Kubernetes, MongoDB, or Kafka, make sure to showcase that experience. A strong portfolio can really set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of distributed systems and microservices. Practice coding challenges that focus on scalability and performance. We want to see how you think through problems, so be ready to explain your thought process during interviews!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t forget to tailor your application to highlight your passion for MMOs and your relevant experience!
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Server Engineer (MMORPG) - GCP
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gaming: When writing your application, let your love for MMO gaming shine through! Share any personal projects or experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for real-time multiplayer systems. We want to see that you’re not just a tech whiz, but also someone who genuinely cares about creating amazing gaming experiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the role of Backend Server Engineer. Highlight your experience with technologies like Kubernetes, MongoDB, and Kafka, and explain how you've tackled challenges in scaling distributed systems. This will show us that you understand what we’re looking for and that you’re ready to jump in!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our indie game studio family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Soulbound
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Kubernetes, MongoDB, and Kafka. Brush up on your experience with these tools and be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve used them.
✨Show Your Passion for Gaming
Since this role is with a game studio, it’s crucial to express your enthusiasm for MMORPGs and gaming in general. Share your experiences with MMOs, what you love about them, and how that passion drives your work as a backend engineer.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to tackle some technical challenges during the interview. Practice explaining how you would approach scaling systems or resolving bottlenecks. Use real-world examples from your past work to illustrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team, the game, or the technology stack. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.