Principal Backend Programmer – Dead By Daylight | Programmeur·euse Backend Principal·e – Dead B[...]

Behaviour Interactive; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading video game development company in Toronto is seeking a Principal Backend Programmer to design and enhance backend systems for online gaming. The ideal candidate should have over 15 years of backend development experience, strong expertise in Typescript and Node.js, and a solid grasp of scalable system design. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a creative environment and make a significant impact in the gaming industry.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of backend development experience.
• Deep understanding of scalable system design.
• Proven track record building high-speed server applications.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new server features.
• Write detailed technical specifications before implementation.
• Troubleshoot issues to elevate backend performance.

Skills

Backend development experience

Typescript

Node.js

REST and WebSocket protocols

DynamoDB

MongoDB

MySQL

Load testing

Data modeling

Profiling and optimizing systems

Job description

Are you ready to dive into the world of cutting-edge video game development? Headquartered in Montreal, Behaviour Interactive is at the forefront of the gaming industry, crafting unforgettable experiences across PC, console, and mobile platforms. We’re a dynamic, independent studio of over 1200 passionate employees, with studios in Toronto (Behaviour Toronto), Rotterdam (Behaviour Rotterdam) and in the UK (Behaviour UK–North & South). Our day to day revolves around two core business focuses: Services and Original Games.

Our Services team collaborates with gaming and entertainment giants like Disney, Sony, Activision, and Nintendo, delivering exceptional work-for-hire development and pioneering immersive location-based entertainment (LBE). Meanwhile, our Original Games unit pushes our creative limits, with our signature IPs, including the iconic Dead by Daylight. Join us and be a part of the future of interactive entertainment!

At Behaviour Interactive, we believe in giving everyone a fair shot. We embrace a diverse and creative environment where everyone is celebrated. We value folks of all ages, sex, ethnicity, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, civil status, disability, or any other protected characteristics as per applicable law.

Dead by Daylight’s team is seeking a Principal Backend Programmer to push the boundaries of online gaming. If you’re ready to reinvent backend systems for a title with millions of active players, we want you on our team.

As a core member of the development team, you’ll play a pivotal role in crafting the backbone of our online infrastructure. From concept to deployment, you’ll architect, optimize, and maintain backend systems that fuel new and legacy features—delivering seamless gameplay at global scale.

In this role you will:

• Design and develop new server features, while enhancing the existing codebase;
• Write detailed technical specifications before implementation;
• Troubleshoot issues to elevate the robustness and performance of backend services;
• Collaborate closely with other programmers to deliver gameplay-compliant server services;
• Create and execute functional and load testing strategies;
• Continuously optimize code for a live, high-availability multiplayer experience.

What we're looking for:

• 15+ years of backend development experience, with a deep understanding of scalable system design;
• Proven track record building high-speed server applications using Typescript and Node.js;
• Advanced expertise with REST and WebSocket communication protocols
• Hands-on experience with relational and NoSQL databases like DynamoDB, MongoDB, MySQL
• Strong grasp of performance-oriented data modeling and backend maintainability
• Skilled in load testing with distributed load generators
• Profiling and optimizing backend systems across network, CPU, memory, and I/O layers
• Bonus points: Front-end exposure using React and/or Angular,
• Bonus points: Experience in client/server architecture with a focus on security and traffic management

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.