Technical Director - Game Development

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health & wellness benefits

Performance-based bonuses

Stock option plan

Job summary

Placements24 is supporting a Polokwane-based game studio seeking a Technical Director to guide engineering teams in building cutting-edge gaming experiences. The role focuses on architecture, engine development, and core systems, aligning technical vision with creative goals.

The ideal candidate has extensive leadership in game development, strong C++ and engine experience, and a solid understanding of graphics, AI, networking, and optimization.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience in game development.
• Strong programming expertise in C++ and engine tech.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity and engine architecture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the game development engineering team, setting technical direction and ensuring project milestones are met.
• Design, implement, and maintain the core game engine and associated systems.
• Collaborate with designers, artists, and producers to translate concepts into feasible features.
• Define and enforce coding standards, best practices, and performance optimization strategies.
• Identify and resolve complex technical challenges throughout the development cycle.
• Evaluate and integrate third-party technologies and middleware solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering their growth.
• Oversee technical aspects of game builds, testing, and deployment processes.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and methodologies, recommending improvements.
• Manage technical documentation and knowledge sharing within the team.
• Ensure the scalability, stability, and performance of the engine and infrastructure.

Skills

Leadership

C++

Unreal Engine

Unity

Game architecture

Performance optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

Profiling tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected and innovative game development studio based in Polokwane, is seeking a talented and experienced Technical Director to guide their engineering teams in creating cutting-edge gaming experiences. This crucial role involves overseeing the technical architecture, engine development, and implementation of core game systems. The ideal candidate will possess a strong blend of programming expertise, a deep understanding of game development pipelines, and exceptional leadership abilities. You will be responsible for ensuring the technical vision aligns with the creative goals, driving the development of robust, efficient, and scalable game technology. Join our Polokwane team and help shape the future of interactive entertainment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the game development engineering team, setting technical direction and ensuring project milestones are met.
• Design, implement, and maintain the core game engine and associated systems.
• Collaborate closely with designers, artists, and producers to translate creative concepts into technically feasible features.
• Define and enforce coding standards, best practices, and performance optimization strategies.
• Identify and resolve complex technical challenges throughout the development cycle.
• Evaluate and integrate third-party technologies and middleware solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering their technical growth and development.
• Oversee the technical aspects of game builds, testing, and deployment processes.
• Stay abreast of emerging game development technologies and methodologies, recommending and implementing improvements.
• Manage technical documentation and knowledge sharing within the engineering team.
• Ensure the scalability, stability, and performance of the game engine and supporting infrastructure.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in game development, with a significant portion in a leadership role such as Technical Director, Lead Programmer, or Senior Engine Programmer.
• Proven track record of successfully shipping multiple titles on PC, console, or mobile platforms.
• Expertise in C++ and experience with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, performance optimization, and debugging techniques.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including artists and designers.
• Deep knowledge of graphics, physics, AI, networking, and other core game systems.
• Experience with profiling tools and performance analysis.
• A passion for creating high-quality, innovative gaming experiences.
• Familiarity with the Polokwane tech and gaming community is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, performance-based bonuses, and a generous stock option plan.
• You will have the opportunity to work on ambitious and exciting game projects, utilize cutting-edge technology, and collaborate with a talented and passionate team.
• This role provides significant scope for career advancement and the chance to make a substantial impact on the gaming industry from our Polokwane studio.