Lead Programmer

Who We Are

At Cast Iron Games, we build technically ambitious games in a calm, focused environment, where every team member has a voice. Based in Tileyard North, we collaborate with high quality partners on high-quality projects, guided by clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.

We're a young and growing studio delivering AAA games. Our experienced team has contributed to some of the industry's biggest AAA and independent titles, and we're building a supportive, balanced environment where great work happens without crunch.

We’re now looking for a Lead Programmer, to focus on performance, optimisation, and platform delivery, someone who can guide technical problem- solving, support team growth, and help us ship confidently across multiple platforms.

The Role

As Lead Programmer, you'll guide a small team working within our clients' proprietary engines. You’ll work across codebases to identify performance issues, resolve low-level technical challenges, and lead the team in shipping games that meet platform standards and run smoothly on real hardware.

You'll collaborate with production, QA, art, and other engineers to profile builds, tackle bottlenecks, and ensure we meet platform compliance requirements. You’ll also provide technical leadership, mentoring others, setting quality standards, and ensuring robust code makes it into builds across all platforms.

While the codebases you work with may vary between projects, your role remains constant: lead with clarity, unblock your team, and ensure our contributions are technically excellent and are best of class.

Responsibilities

• Lead feature and systems implementation within bespoke or third-party engine codebases

• Collaborate with production and client teams to plan, scope, and track work

• Break down complex tasks into actionable plans for you and your team

• Review team code, offer constructive feedback, and uphold high quality standards

• Mentor junior and mid-level programmers, supporting their growth and autonomy

• Navigate and improve unfamiliar or undocumented code with confidence

• Investigate and resolve engine-level issues, including performance, memory and stability

• Contribute to internal tools, workflows and in-house tech where needed

• Advocate for sustainable, maintainable solutions and clear documentation

What We’re Looking For

Technical Experience

• Strong professional experience with C++ in large, real-time codebases

• Proven ability to work in bespoke or unfamiliar engine environments

• Confident debugging and optimising performance across platforms

• Comfortable working with input, file IO, memory management, threading and build systems

• Comfortable using Perforce or similar source control, and task/bug tracking tools such as Jira

• Experience shipping or contributing significantly to released games

Leadership & Collaboration

• Experience leading a team or acting as a technical point of contact

• Skilled in planning, risk management, and delivery tracking

• Supports others through code reviews, pairing, and mentorship

• Communicates clearly with cross-discipline and external teams

• Maintains a positive, proactive presence in the team and project

Bonus Points

• Worked on AAA or AA titles in collaboration with external partners

• Knowledge of graphics programming concepts (materials, shaders, rendering pipelines)

• Worked with with graphics APIs (e.g. DirectX12, Vulkan)

• Familiar with console platform compliance and certification

• Experience maintaining or extending custom toolchains or workflows

• Background in low-level engine work or cross-platform development

• Prior experience supporting client milestones or remote integrations

Why Cast Iron Games

• A people-first studio with a clear focus on craft, clarity, and collaboration

• A high-trust team where experience is valued and voices are heard

• A respectful, experienced team with a strong engineering culture

• The opportunity to ship performance-optimised, cross-platform games youʼre proud of

• Projects that offer real variety. Different game engines, new challenges, constant growth

• Creative surroundings at Tileyard North, with a supportive creative community

• Competitive salary, flexible hours and professional development support

• Opportunities to lead with clarity, autonomy, and real impact

• No crunch. No egos. Just good code, good people and good games

What to Expect / Key Benefits

• Start your day any time between 8:00am and 10:00am

• 35 working hours per week with a 1-hour lunch break (with the opportunity to flex down to 30 minutes or up to 2 hours)

• 25 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday

• 1 day leave for your birthday and 1 day leave if youʼre moving house

• Length of service increases are 1 day per year of service up to maximum of 8 additional days

• Up to 8 days discretionary annual leave during our end of year break

• Potential for annual performance bonus

• Free breakfast options, juice, hot drinks and fruit

• Employee referral bonus (up to £2000!)

• Group Life Assurance – 4 x annual salary payable to nominated beneficiaries through an expression of wishes form.

• Income Protection – covers you up for up to 50% of monthly salary for 2 years (after a 26 week deferred period, i.e. when SSP runs out)

• Critical Illness Cover – lump sum of 1 x annual salary on diagnosis of a critical illness

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• EV & Hybrid Car Scheme

• Tech Purchase Scheme – split the cost of Tech or Home electronics through salary deduction, interest free

• Healthcare Cash plan – claim back the cost of everyday healthcare, dental, physio, chiropractor, opticians, podiatry etc

• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality

• Reward Gateway with cashback and discounts on 900+ retailers

• Employee Assistance Programme including Virtual GP service

• Wellbeing Centre based on Mind, Move, Munch and Money