Lead Game Programmer

Join to apply for the Lead Game Programmer (f/m/x) role at DECK 13 Interactive GmbH

At DECK 13 Interactive, we’re more than just a game development studio—we’re a diverse, passionate community dedicated to crafting unforgettable gaming experiences.

Since our founding in 2001 in Frankfurt, Germany, we’ve been pushing the boundaries of PC and console games as part of Pullu

P Entertainment group, with a team of ~100 professionals shaping the future of gaming.

We’re the minds behind titles like Lords of the Fallen, The Surge series, and Atlas Fallen, known for rich worlds and immersive gameplay.

To continue our success story, we are looking for a Lead Game Programmer (f/m/x) to join our team.

We're seeking a passionate and accomplished Lead Game Programmer to guide technical teams and ensure the excellence of our projects, custom development tools, and core gameplay systems.

In this role, you’ll balance hands‑on programming with leadership, setting engineering standards, driving technical architecture, leading code reviews, and collaborating with cross‑disciplinary teams to solve challenging problems.

• Lead and coordinate the design, implementation, and maintenance of key systems for our Unreal Engine 5 project, development tools, and gameplay/animation features, ensuring performance, scalability, and system stability.
• Mentor and support engineers of varying experience levels—sharing expertise, reviewing code, and fostering professional growth.
• Establish and enforce coding standards and development best practices for sustainable, high‑quality output.
• Collaborate with designers, artists, animators, and producers to align technical solutions with creative vision, workflow needs, and project goals.
• Champion innovation—evaluate emerging technologies and workflows for engine, art, audio, gameplay, and animation development.
• Debug and resolve complex technical issues across various disciplines.
• Promote teamwork and cross‑functional communication, facilitating knowledge‑sharing and alignment on project deliverables.

• Proven leadership experience managing game development teams or leading complex technical projects; strong mentorship and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced proficiency in C++ and solid mastery of core programming principles, system design, and large codebases.
• Extensive experience developing custom tools, editor extensions, and implementing scalable gameplay systems.
• Minimum 5+ years of professional programming experience in the game industry, with at least 3+ years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated success shipping console games, with deep knowledge in debugging, optimization, and system architecture.
• Excellent communication, technical documentation, and cross‑team collaboration abilities.
• In‑depth Unreal Engine architecture knowledge.
• Experience with multiple programming languages (e.g., C#, Python).
• Past contributions to open‑source, indie, or community game projects.
• Advanced expertise in AI or animation systems.
• Passion for mentoring, industry trends, and staying ahead in cutting‑edge engine tech.

• A modern, centrally located office in Frankfurt, Germany (near Messe).
• Free language courses to help you expand your skills.
• Monthly allowances for remote working and gym memberships.
• A monthly allowance for the Deutschlandticket to ease your commute.
• Tax‑free Probonio vouchers every month.
• Free access to an online mental health platform (Bloom).
• Opportunities for career growth with a yearly learning & development budget.
• 28 days of paid vacation, plus the 24th and 31st of December off.

DECK 13 Interactive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other characteristic that makes you unique.

We believe that diverse teams create the best games, and we’re dedicated to building a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Information Technology

Administrative and Support Services