Technical Director - AAA

Our client is on a mission to establish a premier game development studio in Saudi Arabia, dedicated to producing top-tier games for a global audience. Their goal is to nurture Saudi Arabia's enthusiastic gaming community, create homegrown intellectual property, and transform the Kingdom into a global gaming hub. Joining this dynamic team means working alongside some of the industry's best talent from around the world, as well as innovative and dedicated Saudi professionals.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Technical Director with extensive experience in AAA console development. In this role, you will leverage state-of-the-art technologies, pipelines, and services to bring the game vision to life. You will lead a team of programmers, work closely with various departments, and ensure the successful deployment of online services to enhance user experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and mentor a team of programmers, providing technical direction and oversight.
• Oversee the technical architecture, development, and build processes.
• Develop and maintain high-quality online services and backend systems for game support.
• Implement tools and processes to enhance productivity and game stability, utilizing AI tools where applicable.
• Manage projects including staffing, technology/tool selection, risk assessment, and project dependencies.
• Create maintainable high and low-level code to extend Unreal Engine functionalities.
• Optimize performance, scalability, reliability, and data synchronization of online services.
• Design and implement automation solutions for studio operations, including content creation and distribution.
• Collaborate with various departments to streamline workflows, reduce manual tasks, and improve productivity through technical solutions.
• Oversee the design and maintenance of data pipelines, databases, and data warehousing solutions, ensuring efficiency and scalability.
• Conduct code reviews, provide feedback, and enforce coding standards and best practices.
• Identify and resolve technical issues related to online services and studio tools.
• Work with project managers to plan, estimate, and allocate resources.
• Provide regular updates on project status, milestones, and risks to stakeholders and management.

Qualifications & Key Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years in a Technical Director or Senior/Lead Programmer role.
• Shipped at least 3 games across various platforms and engines, with Unreal Engine experience preferred.
• Proficiency in C/C++/C# and other relevant programming languages (5+ years).
• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven leadership and team management skills with a track record of mentoring technical teams.
• Experience in shipping games on console or PC, with detailed knowledge of SDK and technical requirements for Sony PlayStation 4 and 5, Microsoft Xbox One and Series X|S, or high-end Windows PCs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for addressing complex technical challenges.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with agile software development methodologies like Scrum or Kanban.
• Join a visionary team that is pushing the boundaries of the gaming industry in Saudi Arabia and making a significant impact on a global scale.