Job Title: Technical Director
About PlaySide
PlaySide Studios is a dynamic and innovative company employing individuals across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. As Australia's largest publicly listed independent video game developer, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge interactive experiences across mobile, VR, AR, and PC platforms.
We have a diverse portfolio of over 60 titles and collaborations with industry giants like Netflix and Activision Blizzard, making working at PlaySide an opportunity to innovate the gaming industry.
Job Description
The Technical Director will oversee the entire Engineering Department of the studio, working alongside General Managers and other Directors to set the technical excellence bar for the studio. We seek an individual with engineering leadership skills to shape our technical vision, ensuring that our engineering practices align with innovation, scalability, and high-quality player experiences.
The ideal candidate is a natural problem solver, equipped with exceptional communication skills and experience in managing stakeholders at the leadership level and above.
This role offers growth opportunities in a scaling environment where you can carve your own niche.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and execute a long-term technical strategy aligned with the studio's product roadmap and growth plans.
* Oversee current projects to meet development schedules, budgets, resources, and technical quality targets.
* Collaborate with other disciplines to identify technical requirements and develop solutions based on the game's vision.
* Ensure clear communication of technical goals across all levels of the organization.
* Serve as the primary operational contact, working with key external partners.
* Manage and communicate with internal stakeholders, including C-Suite level.
* Oversee recruitment, career development, and craft leadership for the engineering team.
* Establish engineering best practices to achieve project goals.
* Foster a collaborative culture, encouraging innovation and professional growth within the engineering team.
* Share knowledge internally, apply lessons from other teams, and align with the broader PlaySide technology portfolio.
* Identify process improvements for efficiency, cost, and quality across teams.
* Evaluate and recommend third-party technologies and tools for game development.
* Stay updated on current trends and technologies in game development.
Requirements
* Experience as a Technical Director or Senior Lead Programmer managing large teams.
* Successfully shipped multiple games across various platforms in lead/director roles.
* Strong background in software development and engineering management.
* Expertise in C#/C++, data structures, performance optimization, and multi-threaded programming.
* In-depth knowledge of software design practices, including modular and event-driven architecture, design patterns, and object-oriented design.
* Familiar with modern game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity, custom) and industry-standard tools like Git, TeamCity, and Perforce.
* Experienced with Agile/Scrum methodologies, connecting iterative processes with high-level goals.
* Experience or knowledge in PC, Console, VR, and Mobile game development.
* Bonus Points:
o Basic understanding and appreciation of other disciplines, especially game design.
o Experience with projects involving multiple internal/external partners and established franchises, requiring close collaboration with publishers.
o Experience with cloud services, online infrastructure, and multiplayer game development.
o Experienced in technical evangelism through talks, conferences, or open-source contributions.
o Strong passion for video games and the online experience.
About Us
We offer:
* Playdays - an additional 5 paid days off per year to do something you love.
* Incredible studios based in gorgeous Port Melbourne, right next to the city and many public transport options.
* Industry-leading Parental Leave benefits.
* Relocation Assistance.
* Employee Assistance Program to support mental well-being.
* Mentoring opportunities to help you grow in your role.
* Half-price state-of-the-art Gym access - you can wear your free PlaySide swag!
* Social events including Games night, karaoke nights, Movie Nights, group activities, and food trucks.