Lead Engineer

At Blind Squirrel Games, making great games is only the beginning. Blind Squirrel Games is a proud, independent studio that joins forces with developers and publishers seeking an innovative partner in creating quality games. At BSG, our people are our purpose, so we prioritize an inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative work environment for all our Squirrels.

Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) is a proud, independent studio that joins forces with developers and publishers seeking an innovative partner in creating quality games. At BSG, people are our purpose, so we prioritize an inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative work environment for all our squirrels. We currently have studio locations in Irvine, California; Austin, Texas, Auckland, New Zealand, & an upcoming new studio in Manizales, Colombia!  

Skills and experience are highly valued at BSG, but we recognize that talent is a product of hard-work, resilience, and a growth-mindset. We champion individuals who have demonstrated they have the grit necessary to overcome challenges and subscribe to the notion that inclusion breeds synergy and innovation. To us, diversity isn't a metric—it's a must!    

This is a full-time position based in Austin, Texas, with an onsite requirement of 3 days weekly at the studio.  

Lead Engineering Generalists: 

You are considered a master of your craft and have the leadership qualities necessary to pass that knowledge down while completing your own independent work. You're already a seasoned lead or you've spent multiple years as a senior, indirectly mentoring your peers and gradually becoming the "go- to" person for input on and solutions to both internal and external matters. You have experience leading development teams across various AAA titles and have solid cross-discipline exposure.         

 
 Responsibilities 

• Manage a team of engineers, providing them with technical mentorship and guidance  

• Work with production staff and other leads to establish engineering tasks and manage schedule requirements  

• Define and teach good programming practices and coding standards, ensuring they are enforced within the engineering team through regular peer code reviews  

• Create high-performance, robust, maintainable code in a cross-platform environment  

• Deploy, evaluate performance, optimize and test software on PC and console platforms  

• Continually review the game and development processes to identify potential improvements 

• Drive the evaluation and documentation of existing technology and engines  

• Evaluate existing technology architectures  

• Adapt engineering solutions to utilize the latest console APIs  

• Extend existing systems to meet long-term needs of ongoing development  

• Work with external development partners  

• Balance active code development with the management requirements and responsibilities of a disciplined lead 

• Utilize clear communication to articulate and interpret the creative processes and feedback across all disciplines and skill levels 

• Other relevant duties and responsibilities as assigned to help complete company or department objectives 

Qualifications and Education Requirements  
   

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or similar field or equivalent professional experience  

• 5+ years of professional experience software development  

• Fluent in C++ 

• Experience with web standards and technology stacks, including JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS 

• Expertise with open-source web browser projects such as Chromecast, WebKit, Cobalt, etc. 

• Excellent debugging and profiling skills 

• Experience with memory management on small embeded systems 

• Create high-performance, robust, maintainable code in a cross-platform environment  

• Evaluate existing technology architectures  

• Extend existing systems to meet long-term needs of ongoing development  

• Work with external development partners  

• Adhere to team coding standards and practice  

• Required to work independently and report to a manager  

• Other relevant duties and responsibilities as assigned to help complete company or department objectives  

Preferred Skills 

• Fluent in C/C++  

• Familiar with C, C#, HTML, Java, or HLSL/GLSL 

• Previous experience leading technical teams 

• Solid understanding of multi-threaded programming  

• Understand the constraints of a game development cycle  

• Strong knowledge in software engineering/architecture and design patterns   

• Demonstrated ability to write efficient, clean, readable, portable, and reliable code   

• Strong 3D skills and low-level engine experience   

• Creative, motivated, focused, passionate, results-oriented   

• Effective communicator in a team-oriented environment  

• Experience with the current PC development process 

• Familiar with contemporary engines and platforms 

PLUSES    

• Familiar with contemporary engines (Unreal, Unity, Godot, Source, etc.)  

• Familiar with contemporary platforms (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Steam Deck, etc.)  

• Mobile or native Android development experience   

• A passion for video games and game development  

• Previous experience with rendering, graphics, or optimization  

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligibility to participate in benefits and perks may vary depending on position term and location.        

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