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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Programmer - **Company:** The Cast - **Location:** Wakefield, UK (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Adobe Analytics, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), JIRA, Bug Tracking Systems, C++ (Programming Language), Code Review, Software Debugging, Memory Management, Perforce, Toolchain, HLSL, Production Code, Build Tools, Multiplatform, Software Version Control - **Published:** July 9, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=b41175329512cb16 ## About the Role 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 ## Description 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 ## Related Videos - [Collaboration Quantified: Lessons from Open Source Developer Networks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1422-collaboration-quantified-lessons-from-open-source-developer-networks) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - "Fun and games - and all that comes with it", Back to BASIC & more](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1719-wearedevelopers-live-fun-and-games-and-all-that-comes-with-it-back-to-basic-more) - [Integrate your Cognitive Assistant with 3rd-party DBs and software](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/249-integrate-your-cognitive-assistant-with-3rd-party-dbs-and-software) - [The weekly developer show: Boosting Python with CUDA, CSS Updates & Navigating New Tech Stacks](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1293-the-weekly-developer-show-boosting-python-with-cuda-css-updates-navigating-new-tech-stacks) - [Devs vs. Marketers, COBOL and Copilot, Make Live Coding Easy and more - The Best of LIVE 2025 - Part 3](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1766-devs-vs-marketers-cobol-and-copilot-make-live-coding-easy-and-more-the-best-of-live-2025-part-3) - [GitOps for the people](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/815-gitops-for-the-people) ## Related Articles - [10 Coding Games to Teach You How to Code](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/151-10-coding-games-to-teach-you-how-to-code) - [Dev Digest 103 - Superb Owl Trafficking](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/388-dev-digest-103-superb-owl-trafficking) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Dev Digest 129 - Now that's what I call private data!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/468-dev-digest-129-now-that-s-what-i-call-private-data) - [Dev Digest 112 - The True Crime of AI Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/421-dev-digest-112-the-true-crime-of-ai-development)