Studio Technical Director: Lead Engineering & AI Strategy

Sumo Digital; Royal Leamington Spa; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits

Salary sacrifice pension

Employee referral scheme

Job summary

Sumo Digital's Lab42 team is seeking a Senior Technical Director to shape engineering strategy across multiple games and engines. You will set coding standards, mentor Lead Programmers, and drive AI adoption while delivering high quality software across projects.

You'll collaborate with Studio Directors and external partners to define scope, approach and costing, and lead recruitment to attract top engineering talent, ensuring delivery aligns with studio goals.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of C++ and C#, and comprehensive experience working in Unreal, Unity and bespoke game engine solutions.
• Proven commercial leadership experience in the gaming industry either as a Technical Director, or a Senior/Lead on a major published game title.
• Proven ability to communicate engineering vision, status and risk at a senior level, in both internal and external client facing contexts.
• Experience working on games for console, PC and mobile.
• A consultative approach, working across the whole studio to influence and deliver a variety of projects.
• Exceptional people leadership and communication skills, with proven experience managing Lead Programmers.
• Comprehensive understanding of software development practices, including awareness of both client and server technology solutions and a forward view of emerging technologies and hardware.

Responsibilities

• Shape the studio strategy and development practices, influencing decisions at senior level.
• Set coding standards, engineering best practice and development methodologies across the studio and projects.
• Collaborate with Technical Directors to align technical practice across studios and AI adoption strategies.
• Work with directors and external partners on pitches, scope, approach and costing.
• Delegate high-level requirements and guide scheduling and technical implementation.
• Drive engineering quality and efficiency across multiple projects, including hands-on work.
• Serve as senior technical escalation point and assess risk in proposals.
• Provide hands-on technical support when appropriate.
• Set team goals and provide feedback to improve performance and engagement.
• Lead the adoption of AI technologies across the Studio.
• Coach and mentor programmers across levels and support career development.
• Define recruitment strategy from the code team perspective and work with People team to hire top talent.

Skills

C++

C#

Unreal

Unity

Bespoke game engine

Job description

Sumo Digital's Lab42 team is seeking a Senior Technical Director to shape engineering strategy across multiple games and engines. You will set coding standards, mentor Lead Programmers, and drive AI adoption while delivering high quality software across projects.

You'll collaborate with Studio Directors and external partners to define scope, approach and costing, and lead recruitment to attract top engineering talent, ensuring delivery aligns with studio goals.