Lead Developer, XR

Lead Developer, XR

Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
X

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of innovative software for our cutting-edge AR headset.
  • Company: Join XYZ Reality, a pioneer in transforming construction with Augmented Reality.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on construction projects using advanced AR technology.
  • Qualifications: 7+ years in software engineering with leadership experience in real-time systems.
  • Other info: Collaborate with experts and shape the future of construction technology.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

XYZ Reality is transforming construction through Augmented Reality. Our flagship product, the ATOM headset, enables precise holographic visualization of BIM models on site, reducing rework and improving delivery certainty. By combining advances in spatial computing, real-time rendering, and cloud integration, we’re redefining how complex construction projects are built.

As Lead Developer, you will lead the design, development, and delivery of the embedded and XR software stack powering XYZ Reality’s ATOM headset. You will be a hands-on technical leader, responsible for real-time rendering, tracking integration, system middleware, and device–cloud connectivity, while guiding a small, high-performing software team. This role is focused on execution, quality, and on-device user experience, translating advanced capabilities from R&D, hardware, and cloud teams into reliable tools used daily on live construction sites.

Key Responsibilities
  • Technical Leadership
    • Lead development of the on-device software stack for the ATOM headset, including the XR runtime, system services, tracking integration, user interfaces, and networking layers.
    • Design and implement scalable, modular, and high-performance software for real-time AR on constrained, battery-powered hardware.
    • Make day-to-day technical decisions and provide hands-on contribution to critical areas of the codebase.
  • Team Leadership
    • Lead, mentor, and support a team of XR, graphics, embedded, and systems software engineers.
    • Set clear technical direction, review code, and support engineers’ technical growth.
    • Promote best practices in performance-aware, reliable, and testable software development.
  • User Experience & Workflow Ownership
    • Own the end-to-end on-device user experience, including spatial interaction models, alignment feedback, tolerances, error states, and operator guidance in real construction environments.
    • Work closely with Product Management to translate field requirements into robust, real-time workflows that run locally on the device.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
    • Collaborate closely with Hardware, Mobile, Cloud, and R&D teams to integrate navigation, perception, and data services into the on-device experience.
    • Define and maintain clear integration boundaries, APIs, and performance expectations across teams.
  • Delivery & Quality Assurance
    • Take ownership of shipping production software to deployed devices.
    • Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines, simulation tools, and automated testing to ensure reliable releases.
    • Ensure software is production-ready for challenging environments, including low connectivity and variable site conditions.
  • Security & Supportability
    • Apply secure software development practices and support data protection requirements.
    • Implement diagnostics, logging, and telemetry to support field operations, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
Success Metrics
  • Stable, low-latency AR performance in live site deployments.
  • Predictable delivery of features and improvements.
  • Low defect rates in production releases.
  • Strong collaboration with Hardware, R&D, Cloud, and Mobile teams.
  • Maintainable, scalable software ready for future ATOM hardware generations.
Qualifications
  • Required
    • 7+ years of software engineering experience, including 3+ years in a team lead or technical leadership role.
    • Strong experience in real-time systems, embedded development, or XR/graphics software (C++, C#, OpenGL, Vulkan).
    • Demonstrated experience shipping and supporting production software on devices, including release ownership, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing.
    • Operational quality in the field.
    • Experience leading small to mid-sized engineering teams through hands-on technical leadership.
    • Deep understanding of performance optimization on constrained, battery-powered hardware.
    • Strong communication skills and experience working across engineering and product teams.
  • Preferred
    • Experience with AR or VR headsets, tracking systems, or spatial computing platforms.
    • Familiarity with OpenXR and OpenVR.
    • Exposure to Unity or Unreal internals, or real-time rendering pipelines.
    • Experience working with distributed or remote teams.
Why Join XYZ Reality?
  • Build cutting-edge AR technology used on some of the world’s most complex construction projects.
  • Take ownership of a critical, real-world product with visible customer impact.
  • Work alongside experts in spatial computing, AI, and hardware.
  • Help shape the next generation of construction technology through hands-on engineering leadership.

Lead Developer, XR employer: XYZ Reality

At XYZ Reality, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer at the forefront of Augmented Reality technology in construction. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and technical excellence, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact real-world projects, and be part of a team that is shaping the future of construction technology.
X

Contact Detail:

XYZ Reality Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Developer, XR

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry meetups, conferences, or even online webinars related to XR and AR. You never know who you might bump into – it could be your future boss or a colleague who can put in a good word for you!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those involving real-time systems or embedded development. A well-presented portfolio can speak volumes about your capabilities and make you stand out.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a role that excites you, reach out to current employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences at XYZ Reality and express your enthusiasm for the Lead Developer position. It shows initiative and genuine interest!

✨Tip Number 4

Keep it real during interviews! Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with software development and team leadership. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in past projects, especially in high-pressure environments like construction sites.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Developer, XR

Real-time Systems
Embedded Development
XR/Graphics Software
C++
C#
OpenGL
Vulkan
CI/CD Pipelines
Automated Testing
Performance Optimization
Technical Leadership
Team Mentoring
Cross-Functional Collaboration
User Experience Design
Secure Software Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Developer role. Highlight your experience in real-time systems and embedded development, as well as any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Showcase Your Projects: Include specific projects that demonstrate your expertise in XR or graphics software. If you've worked on AR/VR headsets or similar technologies, let us know! This helps us understand your hands-on experience and technical capabilities.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about AR technology and how you can contribute to our team. Share your vision for the future of construction tech and how your leadership style can help drive our projects forward.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at XYZ Reality

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in real-time systems, embedded development, and XR/graphics software. Brush up on your C++, C#, OpenGL, and Vulkan skills, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare to discuss your experience leading teams and making technical decisions. Think of specific examples where you mentored engineers or drove a project to success, as this role is all about guiding a high-performing team.

✨Understand User Experience

Since the role involves owning the on-device user experience, be ready to talk about how you would approach spatial interaction models and error states. Consider how you can translate complex requirements into user-friendly solutions.

✨Collaborate Like a Pro

Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve integrated different technologies and maintained clear communication across engineering and product teams to ensure successful project delivery.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

X
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>