Technical Director (PCF Online Services)

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.