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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of our backend game engine and shape technical direction.
- Company: Join tombola, a unique tech company focused on in-house game development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting projects while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Strong experience with C#, SQL, AWS, and a background in real-time systems.
- Other info: Embrace inclusivity and growth opportunities in a dynamic work environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sunderland – Hybrid – Permanent
What this role looks like 🎯
We’re looking for a Lead Developer to join our Game Engine team here at tombola. This is one of those roles where you genuinely get the best of both worlds. You’ll be hands‑on leading the development of our backend game engine, shaping how we build, scale and evolve the systems that power our games. Our Game Engine sits right at the heart of what we do. It’s where performance, player experience and regulatory compliance all come together. So if you enjoy solving complex problems, working on real‑time systems and having a real say in technical direction, this one’s worth a look. You’ll be in the office 3 days a week, working closely with the team, with the flexibility to focus from home the rest of the time.
What you’ll be doing 🧠
- Leading the design and development of core game engine systems and APIs
- Owning architectural decisions to ensure performance, scalability and compliance
- Getting stuck into hands‑on coding alongside your team
- Supporting and mentoring developers, helping them grow and do their best work
- Running code reviews and driving high engineering standards
- Working closely with Product, QA, Infrastructure and Compliance to bring everything together
- Making sure our systems are robust, auditable and ready for regulatory certification
- Leading sprint planning, shaping priorities and managing technical risk
- Monitoring performance in production and driving improvements where needed
- Contributing to technical roadmaps and long‑term platform direction
What we’re looking for 👀
- Strong experience with C#, SQL, AWS and Redis
- A background in real‑time or state‑driven systems (game engines, gambling platforms or similar)
- Solid understanding of system design and scalable architecture
- Experience working with REST APIs, Git and agile environments
- Knowledge of real‑money gaming (RNG, RTP, game state) would be a big plus
- Someone who can balance hands‑on coding with leading a team
It’d be great if you also have 💡
- Experience integrating with front‑end games, wallets or external APIs
- Exposure to performance tuning, load testing or observability tools
- Familiarity with cloud‑native or containerised environments
The kind of person you are 🌟
- You enjoy leading but still love being close to the code
- You’re confident making decisions and owning technical direction
- You naturally support and develop others around you
- You’re collaborative and enjoy working across different teams
- You care about building quality products and strong teams
Why tombola? ❤️
We’re not your typical tech company. Everything we build is in‑house, giving you real ownership and the chance to make an impact. You’ll be part of a team that genuinely cares about:
- Doing things the right way
- Supporting each other
- Building products we’re proud of
Plus… we’ve got some great benefits too - take a look here to find out more. 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.
Lead Developer (Backend) – Game Studio · Sunderland, UK · employer: Tombola
Contact Detail:
Tombola Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Developer (Backend) – Game Studio · Sunderland, UK ·
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at tombola. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects related to game engines or backend systems, make sure to highlight them. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise beyond just a CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss how you’d tackle real-time system challenges and architectural decisions.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Developer (Backend) – Game Studio · Sunderland, UK ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gaming: When you're writing your application, let your love for gaming shine through! Talk about your experiences with game development and how they relate to the role. We want to see that you’re not just a coder, but someone who genuinely cares about creating amazing player experiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your experience with C#, SQL, and AWS, and mention any relevant projects you've worked on. We appreciate when applicants take the time to connect their skills to what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We love a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff without unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at tombola!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tombola
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in C#, SQL, AWS, and Redis. Brush up on your knowledge of real-time systems and scalable architecture, as these are crucial for the role. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or mentored developers in previous roles. Highlight your experience with code reviews and driving engineering standards. This will demonstrate your ability to balance hands-on coding with leadership.
✨Understand the Game Engine Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the specifics of game engines, especially in relation to performance, player experience, and regulatory compliance. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach architectural decisions and ensure robust systems.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions about REST APIs, agile environments, and possibly even performance tuning or load testing. Think through scenarios where you’ve had to solve complex problems and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.