Head of Engineering Services

Head of Engineering Services

Full-Time 90000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale engineering services for a top gaming company, driving innovation and growth.
  • Company: Join Virtuos, a pioneer in immersive gaming experiences since 2004.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional development.
  • Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of gaming.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of gaming by building a cutting-edge engineering services unit.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in senior roles within the gaming industry, with expertise in engineering services.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.

To be a part of Virtuos means to be a creator. At Virtuos, we harness the latest technologies to make games better and more immersive than ever before. That is why we pride ourselves in constantly pushing the boundaries of possibility since our founding in 2004. Virtuosi is a team of experts – people who have come together to share their mutual passion for making and playing games. People with the same enthusiasm for exploring new ideas and the constant drive to excel in their field. People who believe in earning success through dedication. At Virtuos, we are at the forefront of gaming, creating exciting new experiences daily. Join us to Play, Grow and Win – together.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Head of Engineering Services is a senior executive leader responsible for creating, structuring, and scaling Virtuos’ Engineering Solutions as a standalone business unit, reporting directly to the COO. This role owns the end-to-end development of a client-facing engineering services business, defining its strategy, building its capabilities, and driving its commercial performance. The Head of Engineering Services is accountable for building the Engineering Solutions from the ground up, leveraging existing internal talent while driving significant external hiring and/or acquisitions to establish the required scale and capabilities aligned with market demand. The role requires defining the right mix of internal leverage and external growth to create a scalable, competitive, and sustainable engineering services organization. This leader plays a critical role in expanding Virtuos’ service portfolio and strengthening its position as a global partner beyond traditional co-development models.

Responsibilities

  • Service Strategy & Business Ownership: Define and execute the vision, structure, and strategic roadmap for the Engineering Services. Establish clear objectives, performance targets, and growth ambitions aligned with Virtuos’ global strategy.
  • Market Positioning & Value Proposition: Identify market opportunities and client demand to define a differentiated engineering services positioning.
  • Offer Development & Commercial Models: Build and continuously refine the service catalog, engagement models, and pricing strategies. Ensure offers are competitive, scalable, and tailored to different client segments.
  • Service Build-Up & Talent Strategy: Define and execute a comprehensive talent strategy combining internal identification, external hiring, and potential acquisitions. Structure the service with clear capability clusters, leadership, and scalable staffing models to support growth.
  • Growth Planning & Global Deployment: Develop and execute a scalable growth plan across regions and studios. Align capability expansion with market demand and ensure effective resource allocation across the global footprint.
  • Business Development & Client Portfolio: Partner closely with Business Development teams to position and promote the Engineering Services. Support key client engagements, contribute to strategic pitches, and build a strong and diversified client portfolio.
  • Operational Excellence & Delivery Governance: Define delivery models, governance frameworks, and performance metrics to ensure consistent, high-quality execution across all engineering engagements. Drive scalability, utilization, and profitability.

Division Positioning & Boundaries

  • Engineering Services = engineering as a productized service business
  • Game Division = engineering embedded in co-development or full development engagement.
  • Technology leadership = technical vision and standards across production.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience (15+ years) in senior leadership roles within the video game industry, with strong exposure to engineering services, outsourcing, or scalable development models.
  • Demonstrated success in building or scaling a business unit, service line, or division.
  • Strong background in game engineering, technical production, or large-scale development environments.
  • Deep understanding of client needs, commercial models, and market dynamics in the game development industry.
  • Experience structuring and managing distributed, multi-studio teams across regions.
  • Proven ability to define value propositions, build service offerings, and support revenue growth.
  • Strong operational leadership with experience implementing scalable delivery and governance frameworks.
  • Strategic thinker with a strong business and financial mindset (growth, utilization, profitability).
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including executive and client-facing interactions.
  • Ability to operate in ambiguity and lead transformation from early-stage definition to global scale.

Head of Engineering Services employer: Virtuos

At Virtuos, we are not just creators; we are a passionate team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of gaming. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and growth, offering employees opportunities for ongoing learning and development while working alongside world-class talent. With competitive benefits, flexible work arrangements, and a commitment to employee well-being, Virtuos is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the gaming industry.

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Contact Details:

Virtuos Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering Services

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 Virtuos 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 Virtuos.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

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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 Virtuos 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 Head of Engineering Services

Strategic Planning
Business Development
Client Engagement
Market Analysis
Service Development
Talent Acquisition
Operational Excellence

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 Virtuos.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Virtuos 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 Virtuos

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 Virtuos 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.