Lead Software Engineer (Game Play / Engine)

Description

The Play Software group builds technology-enabled play, where LEGO play sets are combined with electronic hardware and software to create a play experience.

You will sit at the centre of the Play Software group on the Play Experience team, building interactive experiences for children. You will work across all technical teams and keep the experience of LEGO fans of every age in view.

The role suits someone who enjoys building gameplay features and engine technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of a high-performance core engine and the software platforms built on it, and set its technical direction.
• Build reusable software components that let teams create play experiences using motion, sound and colour detection, helping bring tech-enabled toys to life.
• Own the engine's architecture, keeping the platform reliable, scalable and ready for future needs, while guiding major technical decisions.
• Combine hands-on engineering with technical leadership so that engineers can deliver one coherent system.
• Turn strategic goals into a workable technical roadmap, flag trade-offs and risks, and keep software delivery aligned with stakeholders.
• Set the architecture and vision in line with product and platform goals.
• Lead engine design and implementation, and stay hands-on with the hardest technical problems and architecture areas.
• Give technical direction, review key designs and code, and raise the team's engineering standards.
• Define strategies for improving performance and resource use within a constrained system.
• Improve processes and workflows across the team.

Requirements

• A track record of leading teams that built reusable platforms and components to support scalable play experiences.
• Solid experience leading software engineering teams technically.
• A history of solving complex architecture and performance problems that affect a whole platform.
• Strong software development skills, with fluent C++ and C.
• Experience with domain-specific languages (DSL).
• A proven ability to lead technical delivery across several components, manage architectural dependencies and settle cross-team engineering issues.
• Strong experience with task management tools such as Jira.
• Excellent communication, able to explain complex technical decisions and get engineers and stakeholders aligned.
• Experience with connected toys, wearables, IoT or other hardware-software products, including BLE, NFC/RFID, sensors and low-power devices.
• Experience with game engines such as Unity, Unreal or Godot, and with building tools for designers and data-driven content pipelines.
• Audio programming or interactive sound design experience.
• Experience designing play for children, including playtesting with kids and working within child safety and privacy rules.
• A genuine passion for LEGO play and an interest in inventing new forms of play.
• Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The company may amend or withdraw the role at any time, including before the advertised closing date, so apply early if you are interested.

Conditions

Your place of work is the office, store or factory named in this advert.

Hybrid working under the company's Best of Both model lets you work from home up to two days per week. Your People Leader will explain how the model applies to your role and team.

The company is committed to equal employment opportunity and equal pay and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Benefits

• Enhanced paid family care leave.
• Life and disability insurance for all colleagues.
• Resources and benefits for physical and mental wellbeing, plus opportunities to connect with others and be creative.
• A colleague discount that applies from day one.
• A bonus scheme, where eligible, paid when team goals are met.