Lead Engineer

8Bit - Games Industry Recruitment; Województwo mazowieckie; Hybrid; PLN 180,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

8Bit - Games Industry Recruitment is seeking an experienced Lead Engineer in Poland to join a growing AAA game studio. The role blends hands-on C++/Unreal Engine development with mentoring a team of engineers and driving technical execution.

You will oversee architecture, code quality, and collaboration with production to deliver high-quality titles, while balancing technical leadership with hands-on coding. Hybrid Warsaw or remote options available.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership experience managing a 5+ person team in game development.
• Proven skills in C++ programming and Unreal Engine architecture.
• Experience shipping PC/console titles, AAA preferred.
• Ability to balance management with hands-on coding.
• Experience coordinating with production and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 5+ engineers with regular feedback.
• Oversee technical implementation, ensuring performance and quality.
• Stay hands-on with coding, reviews, debugging, and problem solving.
• Plan tasks with production, estimate workloads, meet milestones.
• Make architectural and engineering decisions, mitigate risks.
• Participate in recruitment and onboarding of engineers.

Skills

C++

Unreal Engine

Team leadership

Code quality

Architecture design

Gameplay programming

Job description

Our client is looking for an experienced Lead Engineer to join their growing studio in Poland. This is a hands‑on technical leadership role combining C++ and Unreal Engine development with managing and mentoring a team of engineers. You’ll be responsible for driving technical execution, ensuring code quality, and working closely with production to deliver high-quality AAA projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 5+ engineers, providing technical guidance, regular feedback, and supporting their professional growth.
• Oversee the technical implementation of game features and systems, ensuring high code quality, performance, and maintainability.
• Stay hands‑on with development, including coding, code reviews, debugging, and solving complex technical challenges.
• Work closely with production and other disciplines to plan tasks, estimate workloads, and meet project milestones.
• Make technical decisions regarding architecture, implementation, and engineering best practices.
• Identify and resolve technical risks, bottlenecks, and development challenges.
• Participate in recruitment, technical interviews, and onboarding of new engineers.

Requirements

• Strong professional experience in game development, including experience in a technical leadership role.
• Proven experience managing a team of at least 5 engineers.
• Strong C++ programming skills and solid understanding of game engine architecture.
• Professional experience with Unreal Engine.
• Background in generalist, engine, or rendering programming.
• Experience shipping at least one PC/console title, preferably AAA.
• Ability to balance people management and technical leadership with hands‑on coding.
• Experience working with production teams on project planning, estimations, and delivery.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and team management skills.
• Comfortable working with distributed and cross‑functional teams.

Nice to Have

• Experience working on co‑development projects with external partners.
• Experience with proprietary or in‐house game engines.
• Experience growing engineering teams and improving development workflows.

What They Offer

• One of the key roles in a growing Polish studio.
• A combination of hands‑on technical work and people leadership.
• Opportunity to work on substantial, high‑quality AAA projects.
• Competitive compensation package.
• B2B contract.
• Hybrid work from the office in Warsaw or fully remote.

The company is one of the world’s largest independent video game developers with 80+ shipped titles. They partner with the top companies in the gaming industry to co‑develop and support AAA game creation at the highest level.