Remote Lead Game Programmer

Placements24; O Mente; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first

Equity options

Performance bonuses

Health insurance

Home office budget

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Lead Game Programmer to join a fully remote studio. You will lead a team of programmers, architect core game systems in C++, and shape the technical direction for next-generation titles.

You will collaborate with designers and artists to translate concepts into features, optimize AI, physics, and networking, enforce coding standards, and mentor engineers in a remote, performance-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional game programming experience, with lead or senior roles.
• Expert in C++ and OO design principles.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Strong software architecture and design pattern knowledge.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Remote work capability and self-management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of game programmers and guide technical contributions.
• Design and optimize core game systems, including AI, physics, and networking.
• Architect and maintain scalable codebases in C++.
• Collaborate with designers, artists, and producers to implement features.
• Identify performance bottlenecks and optimize for multiple platforms.
• Enforce coding standards and conduct code reviews.
• Research new tech and tools to improve development efficiency.
• Troubleshoot complex programming issues and bugs.
• Contribute to technical planning and task estimations.
• Shape the studio's overall technical vision and strategy.

Skills

C++ proficiency

Leadership

Unreal/Unity

Software architecture

Profiling tools

Remote work

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS/Game Dev

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Visual Studio

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an acclaimed independent game studio recognized for its innovative gameplay mechanics and compelling narratives, is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Lead Game Programmer to join their fully remote team. This pivotal role will involve leading a team of talented programmers, architecting robust game systems, and contributing directly to the core programming of their next generation of titles. You will play a crucial part in defining technical direction, ensuring code quality, and fostering a collaborative and productive programming environment. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned programmer to make a significant impact on exciting new projects while enjoying the flexibility of a remote-first workplace.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of game programmers, overseeing their technical development and project contributions.
• Design, implement, and optimize core game systems, including gameplay mechanics, AI, physics, and networking.
• Architect and maintain clean, efficient, and scalable codebases using C++ and other relevant programming languages.
• Collaborate closely with designers, artists, and producers to translate game design concepts into functional features.
• Identify and address performance bottlenecks, ensuring optimal game performance across target platforms.
• Establish and enforce coding standards, best practices, and code review processes.
• Research and integrate new technologies and tools to enhance development efficiency and game quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex programming issues and bugs.
• Participate in technical planning and provide accurate estimations for development tasks.
• Contribute to the overall technical vision and strategy of the studio.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Game Development, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 10+ years of professional experience in game programming, with a significant portion in a lead or senior role.
• Expert proficiency in C++ and object-oriented programming principles.
• Experience with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Proven experience designing and implementing complex game systems (e.g., AI, physics, gameplay mechanics, networking).
• Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and algorithm design.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with debugging and performance profiling tools.
• Ability to work independently and manage tasks effectively in a remote team environment.
• Passion for creating high-quality video games and staying current with industry advancements.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary of R per annum , commensurate with experience, plus performance-based bonuses and equity options.
• Our client provides comprehensive health insurance coverage, a flexible paid time off policy, and a dedicated budget for professional development and home office equipment.