At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain game engines for our bingo products and adapt them for B2B use.
- Company: Join tombola, a revolutionary games studio focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on creativity and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make an impact in game development while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of C#, backend systems, and a passion for game development.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
hackajob is collaborating with Tombola to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. Join the Exciting Journey at tombola! We are seeking a Backend Game Developer for our backend development team to actively contribute to the design, development and delivery of the game engines that power our bingo products - and to adapting them for our B2B platform. In this team, you'll be building the core game logic behind our bingo experiences as well as extending and integrating those engines so they can be delivered to external partners through our B2B APIs. Alongside the engines themselves, you'll also work on supporting systems such as chat and game certification, ensuring everything runs smoothly, securely and reliably at scale. The role involves learning the business use case around our solutions, contributing to the development of new services, and showcasing your technical expertise in delivering backend systems that support both player-facing games and external integrations. You will be actively involved in team discussions, decision making and contributing to the development processes.
At tombola, we're not just another player in the game; we're the creators of the game. Our approach is revolutionary – we craft every element of our software in-house, from concept to execution. For our team, this means building the actual game engines — the bingo logic at the heart of our products — as well as the systems that let other companies integrate with and run those games. It's about creating robust, scalable engines and services that power those experiences behind the scenes.
A typical day might look like this:
- Building new game engines, products and tools from conception to release.
- Adapting game engines for B2B delivery by integrating with our partner-facing APIs.
- Contributing to product design by giving methodical input into game mechanics.
- Calculating game RTP (Return to Player) par sheets and event probabilities.
- Working on supporting systems such as chat and game certification.
- Working with the QA team to fix bugs and improve code quality.
- Reviewing pull requests and giving constructive feedback to your team.
- Actively supporting the implementation of continuous integration to ensure a solid deployment process.
- Collaborating closely with colleagues across game, product, platform, infrastructure and QA teams to deliver cohesive solutions.
What does "good" look like for us?
- Strong knowledge of C# (or comparable languages such as Java/Python).
- .NET experience.
- Experience building backend systems, client/server applications and RESTful APIs.
- Understanding of game development and basic game mathematics.
- Understanding of databases (SQL / NoSQL), including T-SQL and source control.
- Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. AWS).
- Good problem-solving skills and a logical, organised approach to building systems.
- Comfortable working on systems that integrate with external platforms.
- Willingness to learn and adapt within a growing B2B environment.
Nice-to-haves (bonus points!):
- Knowledge of SOLID software design principles.
- Experience with CI/CD and cloud computing.
- Proficiency with Git and JIRA.
This role is based at our Sunderland HQ, with a hybrid approach of 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home. That means plenty of time collaborating with the team, alongside space to focus and get stuck into the detail.
Why tombola? We're a business built on innovation, collaboration and doing things differently. We're always looking to improve how we work and we genuinely welcome new ideas and perspectives. If you're looking for a role where you can make an impact, grow your career and be part of a team that backs each other, we'd love to hear from you. At tombola we know that our differences make us stronger and that thinking differently is key to long term success. We work hard to create a culture of inclusivity where everyone can celebrate our Free to be me value. We are committed to creating opportunities for everyone here at tombola, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage individuals to apply, even if you don’t meet every requirement.
Backend Game Developer - Games Studio in Sunderland employer: Tombola
At tombola, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of our colleagues. As an Employee Relations Advisor in Sunderland, you'll benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and development, while also having the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on employee experiences. With a strong commitment to fairness and compliance, we ensure that our team members are equipped with the resources and guidance they need to thrive in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Game Developer - Games Studio in Sunderland
✨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 Tombola 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 Tombola.
✨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 Tombola.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Tombola that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Game Developer - Games Studio in Sunderland
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 Tombola.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Tombola 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 Tombola
✨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 Tombola 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.
