Lead Engineer

Side•Charleston, SC

22h

About The Position

This listing is for a project-based opportunity contingent on client needs and project availability. Side is a global game development and services partner working alongside leading developers and publishers. We help teams solve production challenges and deliver exceptional player experiences. We are looking for a Lead Engineer / Technical Director to drive project success and engineering excellence across co-development engagements. This role starts as a Lead on a live project, with the potential to move into a department leadership role while maintaining project activity. This is for an experienced engineer comfortable leading a project team hands-on, mentoring developers, and building cross-discipline relationships. The role involves shaping technical solutions for clients and strengthening the engineering practice within Side. We are seeking an Unreal expert who thrives in collaborative environments and enjoys balancing technical and people leadership.

Requirements

Background as a Lead Engineer or Technical Director.
Professional experience in engineering roles in games or related tech fields.
Shipped at least two titles on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR with Unreal Engine.
Experience in one or more areas such as gameplay, AI, tools, systems, engine, animation tech, backend services, cloud, or DevOps.
Proficiency in C++, C#, Python, or equivalent languages.
Hands-on Unreal Engine expert, with solid experience in Unity and proprietary engines.
Familiarity with source control, debugging tools, performance profiling, and agile workflows.

Responsibilities

Lead engineering efforts across active co-development projects.
Partner closely with production, design, art, QA, and client stakeholders to deliver high-quality experiences.
Provide technical direction, identify risks early, and drive pragmatic solutions throughout development.
Communicate technical trade-offs clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Support estimation, planning, and execution throughout the project lifecycle.
Contribute hands-on to development when needed, particularly within Unreal Engine.
Architect and review gameplay systems, tools, integrations, and performance-critical features.
Guide teams through debugging, profiling, optimization, and technical problem-solving.
Support projects across multiple engines and technologies where required.
Ensure code quality, maintainability, scalability, and performance standards are consistently met.