Principal Backend Engineer (Gamedev)

TL;DR

Principal Backend Engineer (Gamedev): Architecting and deploying high-load backend services for industry-leading multiplayer game titles with an accent on distributed systems and cloud infrastructure. Focus on defining technical strategy, managing client relationships, and mentoring engineering teams to deliver scalable multiplayer experiences.

Location: Must be based in the UK or EU

Company

A specialist studio dedicated to creating world-class multiplayer experiences through collaborative co-development and full-development partnerships.

What you will do

• Architect and design robust backend systems for major game titles.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact for external co-development clients.
• Collaborate with leadership to translate client requirements into actionable technical tasks.
• Mentor engineering team members and foster professional development.
• Create accurate infrastructure cost estimations for online game services.
• Define and enforce engineering best practices, including modular design and CI/CD workflows.

Requirements

• Location: Must be based in the UK or EU.
• Proven experience architecting distributed applications with high concurrent user counts.
• Production experience with Java, Golang, C#, C++, or Kotlin.
• Strong expertise in SQL and NoSQL database management.
• In-depth experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and container orchestration using Kubernetes and Docker.
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform.
• Ability to manage confidential information and communicate strategy to non-technical stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Professional-level AWS Certification.
• Experience with game engines such as Unreal or Unity.
• Expertise in DevOps or microservices architecture.
• Knowledge of using LLMs for processing structured and unstructured data.

Culture & Benefits

• Fully remote-friendly work environment with core hours.
• Private medical insurance and mental health support via Myndup.
• Strong pension plan and life insurance coverage.
• Minimum 25 days of annual holiday plus a paid winter break.
• Annual learning and development budget with access to mentoring and game jams.
• Three paid volunteering days per year to support local causes.