Lead Backend Engineer

Join a fully remote game development studio creating immersive multiplayer experiences centered on connection, exploration, and shared adventures. As Lead Backend Engineer, you will lead and develop a talented backend engineering team while remaining hands-on with critical systems and architectural decisions. You will play a key role in building scalable, reliable backend infrastructure capable of supporting a global player community. Working closely with technical leadership and cross-functional teams, you will translate creative ambitions into robust technical solutions. This role combines people leadership, technical ownership, and strategic decision-making in a collaborative, evolving environment. It is an opportunity to shape both the engineering culture and the technology behind an ambitious multiplayer gaming experience.

• At least 6 years of professional backend engineering experience, ideally within the gaming industry or live-service environments.

• At least 2 years of direct experience managing, mentoring, or leading software engineers.

• Strong programming skills in Kotlin or Java, with practical familiarity with Kubernetes, Grafana, Terraform, and load-testing tools.

• Proven experience designing, scaling, and operating backend systems for a global user base, including expertise in debugging, monitoring, alerting, and performance optimization.

• Strong understanding of software architecture, system design principles, and design patterns, combined with the ability to balance technical excellence with pragmatic solutions.

• Experience collaborating cross-functionally with design, marketing, and production teams on a shipped or in-development game.

• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on development and take ownership of complex technical challenges in a lean engineering environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders and align teams around shared objectives.

• A collaborative and adaptable mindset, with sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, openness to feedback, and a genuine commitment to helping teammates succeed.

• Nice to have: Experience leading a live-service game through launch and post-launch operations, as well as previous experience in an independent or mid-sized game studio.

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada. Visa sponsorship and work authorization assistance are not available. Candidates must be able to work within North American time zones (EST–PST).

• The position is primarily sedentary and involves extended computer-based work. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities.