Senior Game Programmer

The Senior Game Programmer manages the overall code development processes across the development and maintenance phase of the game. He/She is an expert in specific aspects of game programing and provides inputs on the technical feasibility of requested game features and functions during planning discussions. He takes responsibility for delivering certain complex game elements with robust and stable code. He supports the technical leads by designing and documenting the game’s architecture. He manages a team of programmers and helps them improve their technical skills by coaching and training them. The work involves technical leadership as well as project management of a programming team. He spends most of his working time in guiding the team in programming as well as writing code himself. He also spends a significant amount of his time in meetings with other production teams to align expectations and share project progress. He is proficient at project management and a technical expert. He should be planned and organized to be able to deliver project outcomes effectively. He should also be effective at collaboration, communication and stakeholder management in order to work effectively in cross-functional project teams.

Skills and Competencies

Technical Skills & Competencies

Audio Programming
Proficiency Level
"Develop programs to support the audio asset pipeline and to implement specific audio components within a game."
3
Game Artificial Intelligence Development
Proficiency Level
"Develop programs to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) in games and optimise existing AI systems for better game performance."
3
Game Engine Development
Proficiency Level
"Write code for implementing specific functionalities within a module of game engines and support. "
2
Game Level Development
Proficiency Level
"Execute the technical implementation of game levels through developing, refining and optimising programs and scripts."
3
Game Physics Development
Proficiency Level
"Develop programs to model physics simulations for games and optimise existing physics engines for better game performance."
3

Generic Skills & Competencies

Computational Thinking
Proficiency Level
Develop and create computational models, tools and techniques to implement new solutions and apply to other problems.
Advanced
Problem Solving
Proficiency Level
Anticipate potential problems beyond the current scope and apply higher order problem solving tools and techniques to turn problems into opportunities.
Advanced
Communication
Proficiency Level
"Articulate and discuss ideas and persuade others to achieve common outcomes "
Intermediate
Teamwork
Proficiency Level
Contribute to a positive and cooperative working environment by fulfilling own responsibilities and providing support to co-workers to achieve team goals.
Basic
Interpersonal Skills
Proficiency Level
Recognize own internal feelings and emotional states to manage interpersonal relationships in social situations.
Basic

Critical Work Functions and Key Tasks

Plan game development

• Analyse the feasibility, complexities and returns of investments needed to develop proposed game features and functions 
• Convert product requirements into a technical design by collaborating with stakeholders 
• Contribute to modification of game design by suggesting alternative game features and functions to achieve the objectives of 
game design 
• Support the development of a detailed technical document focusing on specific elements for user interface (UI), artificial intelligence (AI), 
sound, physics and gameplay 
• Lead the development of prototypes and experiment with different algorithms and usability scenarios for a game 
• Contribute to the development of overall technical specifications of game development

Execute game development

• Guide the team on a variety of atypical and complex features for development of the game 
• Lead team of programmers to deliver against programming objectives 
• Provide technical mentoring to the team members in executing gameplay ideas and features 
• Manage the development of various builds and versions to achieve technical stability and functional objectives 

Optimise game development

• Resolve performance and stability issues proactively as required 
• Troubleshoot complex problems and construct solutions to unforeseen design problems in a timely manner 
• Ensure integration of the various game modules and levels for a seamless experience 
• Contribute to best practices including peer reviews, coding standards and others as necessary

Manage the game release and maintenance

• Oversee the continuous maintenance, iterations and addition of new features to the game
• Oversee development of software patches, expansion of games via updates including extra features or content 
• Oversee the porting process to make the game available on multiple platforms

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