Company Description
People Can Fly is one of the leading independent AAA games development studios
with an international team of hundreds of talented individuals working from
offices located in Poland, UK, US, and Canada, and from all over the world
thanks to our remote work programs.
Founded in 2002, we made our mark on the shooter genre with titles such as
Painkiller, Bulletstorm, Gears of War: Judgment, and Outriders. We are one of
the most experienced Unreal Engine studios in the industry and we are
expanding it with in-house solutions called PCF Framework.
Our creative teams are currently working on several exciting titles: Gemini is
our new project being developed with Square Enix; Maverick is a Triple-A game
developed in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation; Bifrost, Victoria and
Dagger are projects we're growing in the self-publishing model. We also have
one project in the concept phase – Red; as well as two projects in VR
technology – Green Hell VR and Bulletstorm VR - an exciting VR version of our
cult-classic shooter.
With over 20 years of experience, PCF sets out to explore new horizons. We aim
to combine our expertise with creativity of the best and most forward-thinking
talents in the industry to work together on the new generation of action games
for the global gaming community.
If you decide to accompany us on this journey, you'll have a chance to perfect
your craft and expand your knowledge, working alongside leaders in the
industry on bringing a brand-new unique experience to the players worldwide.
Job Description
As the Technical Director of Online Services, your role is pivotal in
enhancing the gaming experience and the success of PCF games. You'll oversee
various online services, design scalable backend systems, and ensure reliable
APIs. Additionally, you will be responsible for growing and managing a team of
skilled engineers, nurturing their talents and aligning their efforts with
business needs to achieve collective goals. Your problem-solving attitude and
commitment to code quality will be instrumental in driving excellence
throughout the team and fostering a strong engineering culture.
Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership: Provide strong technical leadership and
guidance to the backend development team, fostering collaboration,
mentorship, and a culture of innovation.
Backend Technologies Expertise: Provide expertise and guidance on
backend systems, encompassing backend frameworks, server management,
deployment tools like Docker and Kubernetes, and cloud platforms like AWS,
Azure, and GCP. Ensure the team's proficiency in CI/CD pipelines and
building scalable systems.
Backend Architecture Ownership: Lead the design and development of
scalable and robust backend systems, including server infrastructure,
matchmaking, player progression, data storage, and dedicated servers, to
support online multiplayer gameplay. Reinforce best practices and
coordinate Unreal Engine Integration as needed, ensuring a seamless gaming
experience.
Unreal Engine Integration Ownership : Direct the team in seamlessly
integrating online features into our games, ensuring optimal performance
and stability within Unreal Engine.
Code Quality and Best Practices Advocacy: Promote coding standards,
conduct code reviews, and advocate for best practices in software
development to maintain a high level of code quality and reliability
within the team.
Performance Optimisation Oversight: Oversee the identification and
resolution of performance bottlenecks in backend systems, ensuring smooth
and responsive online gameplay experiences.
Security Oversight: Oversee the implementation and maintenance of
robust security measures to safeguard player data and ensure fair gameplay
in multiplayer environments.
Documentation Oversight : Ensure the creation and maintenance of
comprehensive technical documentation for backend systems, APIs, and
tools, facilitating the work of the development team.
24/7 Operations : Establish and manage 24/7 operations functions,
ensuring continuous availability and support for online services.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead collaboration within the Online
Services team to effectively align work across the four game teams. Ensure
the seamless implementation of gameplay features reliant on the backend
infrastructure, fostering a cohesive player experience. Collaborate with
game development teams, quality assurance, and end-users to architect,
develop, and seamlessly integrate cutting-edge server-side software
solutions into game titles.
Emerging Technologies Guidance : Take the lead in shaping and
advancing the future direction of online services by staying up-to-date
with industry trends and emerging technologies related to online
multiplayer and backend development. Drive and set the forward-looking
direction for online services technology, guiding the team in adopting
future technology advancements.
Qualifications
Strong background in backend development, server infrastructure, and
online services with 10+ years of experience in the game industry with at
least 1 AAA game title shipped.
Over 5 years of experience in designing and optimizing the performance of
backend applications, ensuring optimal gameplay experiences.
Extensive experience in developing and operating backend services, along
with a thorough grasp of related concepts such as Service SLAs, uptime,
and scalability.
Demonstrated leadership skills with over 5+ years of experience in
managing high-performing backend teams, consistently achieving results.
A deep understanding of multiplayer game development, including
matchmaking, player progression, and other online features.
A strong knowledge of server architecture, database management, and cloud
technologies, including AWS and Azure, coupled with a deep understanding
of cloud-native architectures, microservice development, and operational
best practices in cloud environments.
Proficiency in architecting and managing scalable server infrastructure,
with a focus on high availability, disaster recovery, and efficient
resource utilization.
A solid understanding of game engine networking capabilities, enhancing
your ability to integrate online features seamlessly.
Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, facilitating effective
collaboration with cross-functional teams.
A strong passion for multiplayer gaming, coupled with a keen understanding
of player expectations for online experiences.
Additional Information
What we offer
A competitive salary and performance-based annual bonuses.
Private medical healthcare (Vitality) and BUPA dental insurance for
PCF's employees and their families.
Access to wellbeing platform - Gympass for employees and family members.
Access to Worksmile - cafeteria program.
Online Polish and English language classes.
Access to the pension scheme.
Flexible working hours.
Free virtual health and mental wellbeing sessions included in the plan for
members and their dependents.
Personal development opportunities and ability to work in a global
environment.
Work in a creative team with people full of passion for what they do.