Senior (Unreal) Programmer

Who We Are

At Cast Iron Games, we're building technically ambitious games with an experienced, no-nonsense team. Based in Tileyard North, we're committed to clarity, quality, and respect in how we work with each other, and in the games we make.

We’re now looking for a Senior (Unreal) Programmer to take ownership of major systems and features in our projects. You’ll work closely with design, art, and production to deliver scalable, maintainable code in Unreal 5, while mentoring peers and improving team processes along the way.

The Role

As a Senior Unreal Programmer, you'll be a key contributor on our engineering team, trusted to scope, implement, and maintain complex game or engine-level features. Youʼll collaborate across disciplines, support less experienced developers, and help shape the technical direction of the project through your initiative and experience.

You'll write clean, performant C++ code and Blueprints and be expected to deeply understand the systems you work on - from replication and architecture to profiling and debugging.

Responsibilities

• Own the development of large systems or features within Unreal 5
• Write clean, maintainable code using both C++ and Blueprints
• Collaborate closely with design, art, and production to ensure implementation aligns with projects goals
• Contribute to planning and task breakdowns with accurate estimates
• Proactively identify technical risks or design issues, and work with leads to resolve them
• Provide mentorship and code reviews for junior and mid-level engineers
• Optimise systems for performance, scalability, and platform constraints
• Write and improve internal documentation, tools, pipelines where needed

What We’re Looking For

Technical Experience

• Strong experience working with Unreal 4 or 5 in a production environment
• Proficiency in C++, Blueprints, and Unrealʼs component-based architecture
• Experience owning significant game systems, tools and tech subsystems
• Understanding of replication, memory/performance profiling, and debugging workflows
• Able to balance short-term priorities with long-term code maintainability
• Comfortable using Perforce or similar source control, and task/bug tracking tools such as Jira

Ways of Working

• Comfortable working independently, scoping and delivering complex features
• Proactive in raising blockers, discussing trade-offs and offering solutions
• Supportive of teammates through reviews, pairing and knowledge sharing
• Communicates clearly with both technical and non-technical collaborators
• Passionate about quality, clarity and making others more effective

Bonus Points

• Familiarity with AI, animation systems, or physics frameworks in Unreal 5
• Experience with multiplayer systems and networking in Unreal
• Shipped a title using Unreal 4 or 5 on console such as Xbox, PlayStation, Switch
• Built tooling or automation to support QA and build processes

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 you're 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 you're 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