Lead Programmer d3t

d3t is at the forefront of videogame technology and creativity, delivering experienced co‑development services to some of the biggest AAA clients in the world. Our studio, part of the global Keywords Studios Group, works on multiple exciting projects at any one time, offering plenty of variety and involvement.

Our studio projects have included EA SPORTS FC™ 26, Hogwarts Legacy, Exoborne, Mafia:
The Old Country, Alan Wake Remastered, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, LEGO Star Wars:
The Skywalker Saga, The Witcher 3:
Wild Hunt, Vampire The Masquerade - Blood Hunt, Mafia II:
Definitive Edition, and Assetto Corsa Competizione. We also work in partnership with our global clients including Playground Games, EA and Archetype Entertainment.

The d3t studios are based near Daresbury (Cheshire), Newcastle (Tyne & Wear) and Madrid where we offer an amazingly professional and supportive working environment. We are passionate about what we do and pride ourselves on our anti‑crunch mentality, mentoring ethos and have been awarded ‘Best Places to Work’ multiple times by  In addition, we won ‘Best Creative Service Provider’ at Develop 2022 and were nominated in 2023 & 2024.

A Lead Programmer at d3t plays a key role in the engineering department, being the programming lead and point of contact both internally and externally with our clients on each of our outsourcing development projects. They help to foster high coding standards, processes and career development within our engineering team, as well as being hands‑on in the development and planning of the work we deliver on AAA titles with our high‑profile, global clients.

The position is a 12‑month fixed‑term contract, based in either of our UK studio sites (Daresbury or Newcastle), on a hybrid working basis with a working pattern of three days per week in the studio (Wednesday, Thursday and another day of your choice).

• Lead your engineering team to meet their goals, with motivation, positivity, enthusiasm, leading by example and active listening.
• Line‑manage engineers to foster career progression and enable them to reach their full potential.
• Set high standards of communication, collaboration and coding skills and standards from your team and your direct reports.
• Collaborate with international clients often as our main engineering point of contact for projects.
• Be part of mixed‑discipline teams working together to deliver features on time.
• Engage in technical planning and delegating.
• Work across a variety of projects and programming specialisms, including gameplay, core tech, porting, low‑level architecture on multiple platforms.
• Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices.

• Experience:
  
  7+ years.
• Languages:
  
  C++ expertise.
• Leadership:
  Has led and managed engineers.
• Dependability:
  Can work autonomously, flexibly, proactively and positively.
• Knowledge:
  Low‑level systems (e.g. physics, networking, memory, animation, etc.).
• Technology:
  Experienced with game engines, IDEs, source control, build infrastructure.
• Growth:
  Continually expands knowledge base and skill set.
• Communication:
  Able to clearly discuss road maps, updates, risks and solutions with multiple disciplines including non‑technical developers and clients.

• Proficiency with multiple programming languages and engines.
• Released games.
• Porting games.
• Tools development.
• Rendering experience.
• Build and infrastructure knowledge.
• Low‑level console development.

• 22 days holiday + 3 festive studio closures + bank holidays.
• Company pension scheme (enhanced contribution).
• Flexible working hours.
• Private medical insurance scheme – BUPA.
• Anti‑crunch ethos – a professional, fun and supportive working environment.
• Free parking.
• Company socials, monthly lunches + annual d3t events.
• Breakout areas – games, BBQ area, complimentary snacks to suit all dietary preferences.

Interviews will be held by video call.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace and culture. If this opportunity excites you but your current skills or past experience don’t align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to still apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles within our team.