Responsibilities
- Develop, refine, and expand backend infrastructure supporting real-time multiplayer interactions
- Utilize GKE, Helm, and Kubernetes to manage deployment and dynamic scaling of stateful game servers
- Enhance system visibility through monitoring tools, alerting pipelines, and incident management using Prometheus/Grafana or GCP Cloud Monitoring
- Scale MongoDB and PostgreSQL databases to handle high-volume concurrent access
- Optimize Kafka-based event streams for player actions, game state updates, and service-to-service communication
- Proactively detect and eliminate performance bottlenecks before impacting users
- Strengthen system resilience to avoid widespread outages across interconnected services
- Collaborate with senior engineers on key architectural choices
Requirements
- Production-level experience with Kubernetes, preferably on GKE
- Proven ability to scale distributed systems under heavy load
- Experience with at least one of the following: MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Kafka, Redis, or pub/sub messaging systems
- Familiarity with monitoring tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, Alertmanager, or similar
- Experience using infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform or Helm
- Ability to work independently and drive progress without close supervision
- Public portfolio or profile on GitHub or LinkedIn demonstrating relevant work
Nice to Have
- Background in game backend development or real-time multiplayer systems
- Passion for MMO games and knowledge of current MMO market offerings
- Experience managing stateful server architectures such as dedicated game servers
- Hands-on work with custom game server orchestration on Kubernetes
- Knowledge of Istio service mesh for traffic management
- Prior employment at a game studio, particularly on live-service or MMO titles
- Enthusiasm for solving complex operational challenges at scale in a large MMORPG environment
Benefits
- Fully remote position
- Initial contract duration of 4 to 8 weeks, with strong potential for extension after launch
- Preference for full-time engagement, though flexibility is available for outstanding candidates
- Competitive compensation structure
- Join a small, dedicated team of 25 creators passionate about building immersive experiences
- Contribute meaningfully to the creation of an innovative virtual world designed to engage millions
Compensation
Competitive salary / monthly rate
Work Arrangement
100% remote, must overlap significantly with UK (GMT/BST) hours
Team
Become a valued member of our close-knit, passionate indie team of 25
Other
- Must have substantial time zone overlap with UK (GMT/BST) hours
- Contract role, 4-8 weeks initially with extension likely post-launch
- Full-time preferred, flexible for exceptional candidates
