We are seeking a Lead Engineer who will be the engineering player-coach on a live client engagement: still hands-on in C++ and Unreal, but setting the approach, mentoring the engineers on the project, and partnering directly with the client and producer when technical decisions need a clear voice.
Key Responsibilities:
Hands-On Engineering (~35%)
• Write, review, and own C++ code on the engagement - Lead Engineer is not a title that means you stop coding
• Build and maintain core gameplay, engine, or systems components as required by the engagement
• Unblock engineers on the team when they are stuck - architecture calls, engine deep-dives, debugging
• Performance profiling and optimization across target platforms (console, PC, or mobile as required)
Team Leadership (~20%)
• Lead and mentor engineers on the project team - grow their craft, review their work, catch drift early
• Run engineering rituals: sprint planning, technical reviews, code reviews
• Escalate resourcing or capability gaps to production before they affect delivery
• Provide honest engineering assessments to support hiring and team growth
Client & Production Partnership (~15%)
• Be the technical voice in client conversations - represent engineering with clarity, not jargon
• Partner with the Senior Game Producer to keep technical scope in sync with the schedule
• Surface trade-off decisions early: 'here is the risk, here are the options, here is my recommendation'
• Maintain the client's confidence that Devoted's engineering bar is where it needs to be
Requirements
• 7+ years of software engineering experience with at least 4 years in AAA or mid-tier game development
• 2+ years as a Lead Engineer, Principal Engineer, or equivalent - with real ownership of technical direction, not just senior IC with a bigger title
• At least 2 shipped commercial titles as a lead or senior contributor - on PC, console, or both
• Deep Unreal Engine 5 expertise: C++ at an architectural level, not just usage; Blueprint proficiency; engine subsystem familiarity (rendering, physics, gameplay framework, GAS a strong plus)
• Strong C++ fundamentals - systems design, memory management, performance reasoning
• Experience leading small engineering teams and growing engineers' craft
• Comfort in client-facing environments - can hold a technical conversation with a client engineering lead without translation
• Remote-first discipline: async communication, documentation habits, strong written English
Preferred
• Experience in a co-development or external development studio environment
• Multi-platform development experience: console certification, platform compliance (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo)
• Online multiplayer systems, dedicated server architecture, or live-service game experience
Benefits
This would he a full-time employment role with standard industry benefits in Canada
