Studio Technical Director

Sumo’s Lab42 team is currently working on multiple exciting projects, across a number of game engines and platforms, using cutting-edge technologies to deliver premium quality solutions for our wide variety of clients. This role is an awesome opportunity to support and enhance Lab42’s ‘Problems Solved’ reputation, in fusing flexibility with fun and to help forge the future direction of the studio. We’re a relaxed and welcoming bunch who believe making games should be fun and rewarding, so if that sounds like your thing, come join us!

Responsibilities

Setting the engineering vision, technical strategy and direction for Lab42:

• Working alongside the Studio and other Discipline Directors to shape the studio strategy and development practices, influencing decisions at senior studio management and stakeholder level.
• Setting coding standards, engineering best practice and development methodologies across the whole studio and at individual project levels.
• Collaborating with Technical Directors at other Sumo Digital studios to develop and align technical practice where possible, including our AI adoption strategies.

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Contributing to acquiring and developing projects, and accountable for the engineering delivery of projects run at the studio:

• Working with the Studio Directors, other Discipline Directors and external partners on project pitches, interpreting high-level client requirements to agree scope, approach and costing.
• Delegating high-level requirements to project team Lead Programmers and providing guidance on scheduling, scoping and the best technical approach to implementation.
• Driving engineering quality and efficiency across multiple projects, checking and challenging code and systems against agreed standards, including active engineering work on active projects.
• Acting as the senior technical escalation point and sounding board for Lead Programmers with project specific issues, reviewing technical proposals to identify and mitigate risk.
• Providing hands-on technical support when appropriate.

 
Leading, building and developing the code team at the studio:

• Setting engineering team goals and performance expectations, and providing effective and constructive feedback to the studio code team, along with initiatives to improve performance and engagement where necessary.
• Leading the adoption of appropriate usage of AI technologies across the whole Studio, working across disciplines, not just in engineering.
• Coaching and mentoring programmers at all levels, and guiding staff in their development within the Sumo Career Pathway.
• Working with the Studio Director and other Discipline Directors to define the recruitment strategy for the studio from the code team perspective.
• Working with the People team to identify, attract and hire top talent.

Requirements

• Expert knowledge of C++ and C#, and comprehensive experience working in Unreal, Unity and bespoke game engine solutions.
• Proven commercial leadership experience in the gaming industry either as a Technical Director, or a Senior/Lead on a major published game title.
• Proven ability to communicate engineering vision, status and risk at a senior level, in both internal and external client facing contexts.
• Experience working on games for console, PC and mobile.
• A consultative approach, working across the whole studio to influence and deliver a variety of projects.
• Exceptional people leadership and communication skills, with proven experience managing Lead Programmers.
• Comprehensive understanding of software development practices, including awareness of both client and server technology solutions and a forward view of emerging technologies and hardware.

Benefits

Sumo understands the importance of having control over your benefits. That's why we offer a flexible, personalised benefits package designed to meet your unique needs, no matter where you are in your career.   

Money: Flexible benefits allowance, salary sacrifice pension, benefits hub, payroll giving, an employee referral scheme (up to £1,000), workplace ISA and other schemes for tech loans, car loans and bicycles.    

Lifestyle: Flexible working, 22 free choice days holiday, bank holidays, birthday day off, Christmas shutdown (Christmas Eve to New Year) and options to buy or sell up to a week of annual leave*.  

Health and Wellbeing: Dental insurance*, income protection, life assurance, BUPA private healthcare*, leading EAP programs (remote GP, mental health, physio, nutrition, lifestyle coaching and medical second opinions), critical illness cover*, health cash plan* and funded flu vaccines/eye tests.  

Development: Structured Personal Development, regular appraisals and 5 learning days per annum.  

Extra Perks: A variety of in-studio perks, regular care packages, studio days out, studio-led social activities, sabbaticals (at 10 years service) and annual gaming subscription.  

*Opt-in benefits (part of our flexible benefits options).