Principal Backend Engineer (Game Development)

TL;DR

Principal Backend Engineer (Game Development): Architect and deliver backend services for multiplayer game projects with an accent on distributed systems, high concurrency, and cloud infrastructure. Focus on designing scalable backend architectures, mentoring engineers, and collaborating with clients and leadership to balance technical idealism with production pragmatism.

Location: Remote with requirement to be based in the United Kingdom

Company

hirify.global (MPG) creates world-class multiplayer experiences through co-development partnerships, supporting a diverse global team with a people-first culture.

What you will do

• Architect and develop backend systems for major game titles, ensuring high performance and scalability
• Act as key engineering contact between MPG and external clients, translating requirements into technical tasks
• Mentor and delegate work to backend engineers, fostering professional growth and technical leadership
• Design cost estimates for online services based on projected concurrent users
• Enforce engineering best practices including modular design, code quality, and testing
• Collaborate with leadership to communicate risks, benefits, and future roadmaps

Requirements

• Must be based in the United Kingdom
• Experience shipping multiple live games or similar products with high concurrent users
• Proven architecture experience with distributed applications and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Strong backend programming skills in Java, Golang, C#, C++, Kotlin; familiarity with Python, Node.js, React is desirable
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases, Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, and CI/CD pipelines
• Excellent communication skills to discuss technical strategy with non-technical stakeholders

Nice to have

• Expertise in DevOps, microservices, or cloud architecture
• Experience integrating backend services with game engines like Unreal or Unity
• Knowledge of using LLMs for processing structured and unstructured data

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible remote working with core hours supporting work-life balance
• Mental health support, private medical insurance, and wellbeing resources
• Strong pension plan and life insurance coverage
• Minimum 25 days holiday plus paid winter break and volunteering days
• Family-friendly parental leave policies
• Annual learning and development budget, expert talks, and mentoring opportunities