Who We Are
At Cast Iron Games, we build technically ambitious games in a calm, focused environment, where every team member has a voice. Based in Tileyard North, we collaborate with high quality partners on high-quality projects, guided by clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.
We're a young and growing studio delivering AAA games. Our experienced team has contributed to some of the industry's biggest AAA and independent titles, and we're building a supportive, balanced environment where great work happens without crunch.
We’re now looking for a Lead Programmer, to focus on performance, optimisation, and platform delivery, someone who can guide technical problem- solving, support team growth, and help us ship confidently across multiple platforms.
The Role
As Lead Programmer, you'll guide a small team working within our clients' proprietary engines. You’ll work across codebases to identify performance issues, resolve low-level technical challenges, and lead the team in shipping games that meet platform standards and run smoothly on real hardware.
You'll collaborate with production, QA, art, and other engineers to profile builds, tackle bottlenecks, and ensure we meet platform compliance requirements. You’ll also provide technical leadership, mentoring others, setting quality standards, and ensuring robust code makes it into builds across all platforms.
While the codebases you work with may vary between projects, your role remains constant: lead with clarity, unblock your team, and ensure our contributions are technically excellent and are best of class.
Responsibilities
Lead feature and systems implementation within bespoke or third-party engine codebases
Collaborate with production and client teams to plan, scope, and track work
Break down complex tasks into actionable plans for you and your team
Review team code, offer constructive feedback, and uphold high quality standards
Mentor junior and mid-level programmers, supporting their growth and autonomy
Navigate and improve unfamiliar or undocumented code with confidence
Investigate and resolve engine-level issues, including performance, memory and stability
Contribute to internal tools, workflows and in-house tech where needed
Advocate for sustainable, maintainable solutions and clear documentation
What We’re Looking For
Technical Experience
Strong professional experience with C++ in large, real-time codebases
Proven ability to work in bespoke or unfamiliar engine environments
Confident debugging and optimising performance across platforms
Comfortable working with input, file IO, memory management, threading and build systems
Comfortable using Perforce or similar source control, and task/bug tracking tools such as Jira
Experience shipping or contributing significantly to released games
Leadership & Collaboration
Experience leading a team or acting as a technical point of contact
Skilled in planning, risk management, and delivery tracking
Supports others through code reviews, pairing, and mentorship
Communicates clearly with cross-discipline and external teams
Maintains a positive, proactive presence in the team and project
Bonus Points
Worked on AAA or AA titles in collaboration with external partners
Knowledge of graphics programming concepts (materials, shaders, rendering pipelines)
Worked with with graphics APIs (e.g. DirectX12, Vulkan)
Familiar with console platform compliance and certification
Experience maintaining or extending custom toolchains or workflows
Background in low-level engine work or cross-platform development
Prior experience supporting client milestones or remote integrations
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 youʼre 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 youʼre 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
