Job Description :

Job Title: Game Development Lead Specialist Engineer
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Experience Required: 12+ Years
Employment Type: Contract
Interview Type: In-Person or Webcam

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Game Development Lead Specialist Engineer to oversee and guide the design, development, and technical implementation of high-performance gaming applications. This role requires strong leadership capabilities, deep technical expertise in modern game engines, and extensive hands-on experience in building scalable, immersive, and interactive game systems.

The ideal candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams, drive architectural decisions, optimize game performance, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality game features.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the end-to-end game development process, from architecture and design through implementation and release.

  • Manage and mentor a team of developers, ensuring best practices in coding standards, performance optimization, and technical problem-solving.

  • Oversee creation and integration of core gameplay features, UI/UX elements, graphics, audio, AI, physics, networking, and platform requirements.

  • Work closely with product, art, design, and QA teams to align technology with creative and business goals.

  • Define and enforce coding standards, performance benchmarks, and development processes.

  • Guide technical architecture decisions, system scaling strategies, and platform optimization.

  • Evaluate new technologies, tools, and frameworks to improve development efficiency and game performance.

  • Diagnose and resolve complex production issues related to memory, rendering, performance, or integration.

  • Lead deployment and versioning processes for multi-platform releases.

  • Manage project timelines, sprints, and deliverables using Agile/Scrum methodologies.

Required Qualifications
  • 12+ years of professional experience in game development, including at least 4+ years in a technical lead or leadership role.

  • Strong proficiency in game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.

  • Solid programming expertise in C++, C#, or similar object-oriented languages.

  • Proven experience with 2D/3D engine architecture, rendering pipelines, shaders, and physics.

  • Strong understanding of core game systems including AI, networking, animations, asset pipelines, and optimization techniques.

  • Experience working with version control tools such as Git, Perforce, or SVN.

  • Hands-on experience deploying games across multiple platforms (PC, Console, Mobile, VR/AR).

  • Strong understanding of performance profiling, debugging, optimization, and memory management.

  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills.

  • Background working in Agile or iterative development environments.

Preferred Skills
  • Experience with multiplayer networking, real-time server systems, cloud services, or backend integration.

  • Knowledge of DevOps pipelines and CI/CD for game build automation.

  • Experience with DirectX, OpenGL, Vulkan, or Metal APIs.

  • Background in machine learning for gameplay analytics or procedural content generation.

  • Familiarity with motion capture pipelines, VR/AR devices, and sensory technologies.

  • Experience collaborating with large distributed or offshore development teams.

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Game Engineering, or related technical field.

             

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