Server Engineering Lead

United States Digital Space LLC; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Cycle to Work scheme

Private family healthcare

Subsidised catering at in‑house cante(

Free bike servicing

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Server Engineering Lead to join the Elite Dangerous team and help deliver exceptional online experiences. You will work with Linux‑based distributed systems on AWS, contribute hands‑on code (PHP), and mentor a team of server developers.

You will lead critical features, ensure reliability, and drive cost efficiency, while collaborating with cross‑functional teams to realise the project vision.

Qualifications

• Extensive OO programming experience in PHP, Python or TypeScript.
• Proven track record building high‑performance, high‑availability server systems.
• Experience with distributed systems and open source components.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of major game server features and systems.
• Mentor and manage server developers; provide technical direction.
• Ensure performance, reliability and cost‑efficiency of online services.
• Collaborate with leadership to define deliverables and milestones.

Skills

PHP

Python

TypeScript

Linux administration

AWS

Distributed systems

Leadership

Tools

Linux

AWS

Open source components

Job description

the company is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, the company captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at the company are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap. This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

We’relooking for a Server EngineeringLeadto jointhe Elite Dangerousteam and help deliver exceptional online experiences to our players.You’llbring strong technicalexpertise, leadership ability, and a passion forhigh‑qualitygame development.In this role,you’llwork withLinux‑baseddistributed systems on AWS, contributehands‑oncode (primarily PHP), and collaborate closely withourin‑houseCobra engine andcross‑platformgame code.You’lllead and mentor a team of server developers, guiding their growth whileprovidingtechnical direction across major features and systems.You’llalso share responsibility for the performance, reliability, andcost‑efficiencyof our online services, working with other discipline leads to ensure we deliver smooth, scalable, and engaging experiences for our players.This is a fantastic opportunity to join the team behind ourmulti‑million‑selling,cross‑platformtitles, help shape the next generation of server engineers, and contribute directly to the future of our games.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Leading the development of major game featuresand systems
• Contributingtechnically through hands‑on programming, systems administration, and wider technical responsibilities
• Managing and mentoring developers, providingfeedbackand guiding them with their documentation
• Designing and implementing systems using clean, maintainable, andwell‑documentedcode
• Collaborating with project leadership and production to define the contents for key deliverables and milestones, and working with stakeholders to deliver the technical and creative vision for the project
• Maintainingsecure andreliable online services across cloud andon‑premenvironments
• Developingand supportingtools that enable non‑technical teams to create content and manage the game’s online services effectively
• Contributingto operational incident response during core hours, withadditionalparticipation in evening and weekendon‑callsupport asrequired.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Extensive experience of object-orientedprogrammingin a dynamically typed script-based language, such as PHP, Python or Typescript
• A genuine passion for video games.
• A track recordin the development of quality high performance, high availability server systems
• Safely and confidently navigate a mature codebase, bringing clarity, structure, and engineering judgement to complex systems
• Extensive experience in developing distributed systems withopen sourcecomponents such as databases, caches, firewalls, loadbalancersand networks.
• Experience of Linux systems administration
• Expertisein people management and leadership skills with a passion for developing individuals and teams.
• A history of handling the non-coding technical aspects of development, such as branch management, TRC analysis, bug/crash triaging, and so forth.
• A proactive approach to collaborative learning and knowledge sharing with colleagues.

BONUS IF YOU HAVE

• Experience working with a game engine, preferably having shipped a cross-platform game title that included Consoles
• Experience designing, configuringandmaintainingnetworking and security systems (TCP/UDP, Routing, NAT, Firewalls, etc)
• Experience programming in compiled languages suchasC++, C#,Goor Rust
• Experience scaling, performance & reliability optimisation of distributed systems
• Distributed database architectures (Relational, Document, Key/Value, Graph, etc)

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.

Wellbeing is a big focus at the company, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.

We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.

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