Senior Online Engineer

Lighthouse Games; Royal Leamington Spa; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 Days Holiday

Birthday Day Off

Studio Shutdown (Christmas)

Discretionary Bonus

Private Pension

Private Healthcare

Health & Well-Being Benefits

Dental Care

Optical Treatments

Mental Health Support

Job summary

Lighthouse Games in Leamington Spa is seeking a Senior Online Engineer to shape and maintain our online multiplayer systems. You will drive design, implementation, and reliability of services, working with cross‑functional teams to deliver robust player experiences.

You will mentor junior engineers, stay ahead of industry trends, and champion quality in online features while architecting scalable cloud and on‑prem solutions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Online Engineer on AAA titles with online gameplay systems.
• Expertise in networking, client-server architectures, matchmaking and player data management.
• Strong C++ skills and experience in game engines (Unreal Engine 4 or 5).
• Familiarity with cloud solutions (AWS/Azure) and scalable online architectures.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities; strong teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimise online services and tools for multiplayer experiences.
• Collaborate with game designers to integrate engaging online features.
• Champion quality and innovation in online features and player experience.
• Identify and resolve technical challenges in the online services stack.
• Mentor junior engineers and stay current with industry trends.

Skills

Networking

Client-Server

Matchmaking

Data Management

C++

Unreal Engine 4/5

Cloud (AWS/Azure)

Analytical Thinking

Problem Solving

Communication

Teamwork

Passion for Gaming

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

PlayFab

Job description

Lighthouse Games is a new AAA studio in Leamington Spa. We are defined by our pedigree of talent, and serious ambition to build a new best-in-class game. When you join us at Lighthouse, you will be able to create the best work of your career, in an environment that feels truly collaborative. You will learn from the best, and work alongside the future greats of the gaming industry.

As a Senior Online Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design, implementation, and maintenance of our online gameplay systems. Your expertise will be critical to ensuring that we deliver a high-quality multiplayer experience for our players. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, driving innovations in online features while maintaining a player‑centric focus. Your role will involve both technical leadership and mentoring of junior engineers, fostering a strong and collaborative culture within the online team.

Key Duties Include:

• Design, implement, and optimise online services and tools to enhance multiplayer experiences
• Collaborate with game designers to integrate engaging online features into our games
• Champion quality and innovation in online features, ensuring a robust player experience
• Proactively identify and resolve technical challenges within the online services architecture
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to inform project directions

Requirements

• Proven experience as an Online Engineer on AAA titles, with the ability to demonstrate the online gameplay systems and features you've created
• Expertise in networking technologies and protocols, including client‑server architectures, matchmaking, and player data management
• Strong programming skills in C++, with experience in game engine development (preferably Unreal Engine 4 or 5)
• Familiarity with cloud‑based solutions, such as AWS or Azure, and their application in game development
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a drive for continuous improvement
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, with a high level of motivation and initiative
• Passion for online and multiplayer gaming, with an understanding of player behaviour and preferences

Desirable

• Experience with microservices architecture and containerisation (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Knowledge of APIs and web services, with familiarity with PlayFab or similar platforms
• Experience in DevOps processes and methodologies

Benefits

• 25 Days Holiday, plus 1 day for your birthday
• Studio Shutdown between Christmas and New Year
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme
• Private Pension Scheme
• Private Healthcare
• Health and Well-Being Benefits
• Dental Care
• Optical treatments
• Mental Health Support