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- Tasks: Lead the development of our backend game engine and shape technical direction.
- Company: Join tombola, a unique tech company focused on in-house innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on gaming technology while mentoring others.
- Qualifications: Strong C#, SQL, AWS skills; experience with real-time systems preferred.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Sunderland – Hybrid – Permanent
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 in Sunderland employer: Tombola
Contact Detail:
Tombola Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Developer (Backend) – Game Studio in Sunderland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the game development scene, especially those at tombola. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects related to backend systems or game engines, make sure to highlight them. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on coding experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of C#, SQL, and AWS. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled complex problems in real-time systems before – they’ll want to see your thought process!
✨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 tombola team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Developer (Backend) – Game Studio in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Developer role. Highlight your experience with C#, SQL, and AWS, and don’t forget to mention any work with real-time systems or game engines!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to show us your personality! Share why you’re passionate about game development and how your leadership style aligns with our team culture at tombola.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on relevant projects, whether personal or professional, make sure to include them. We love seeing hands-on coding examples and how you’ve tackled complex problems in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our Game Engine team!
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 be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar challenges in the past. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the tools but can also apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you’ve led teams or mentored developers before. Talk about your experience in running code reviews and driving engineering standards. This is crucial for a Lead Developer role, so make sure you highlight your ability to balance hands-on coding with leadership.
✨Understand the Game Engine Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the specifics of game engines and the gaming industry, especially around regulatory compliance and performance tuning. Being able to discuss these topics will demonstrate your passion and understanding of the field, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to face technical questions that require you to think on your feet. Prepare for scenarios where you might need to design a system or troubleshoot an issue. Practising these types of questions will help you feel more confident and showcase your problem-solving skills during the interview.