Marshmallow Laser Feast (MLF) are looking for someone to join our team as our Senior Backend Developer (Engine, Networking & Plugins) and help craft the next wave of high-profile artistic endeavours. You will work as a senior part of the technical development team, reporting directly to the Head of Technology, where you will help build the core systems and tools that feed our real-time workflows.
The ideal candidate will have strong experience and knowledge of system programming, network architecture and library development in core languages such as C++, C# (.Net) & Python. We are especially interested in candidates with real-time game engine knowledge including a history of shipped titles, experiences or artistic endeavours.
As our Senior Backend Engineer, you will manage, maintain and iterate on the in-house infrastructure, libraries and plugins that make our whole team more efficient and our experiences more seamless. Working at the cutting edge of technology means that sometimes the solution doesn't exist, being a key part of our close-knit team of technicians, artists and creators knowing when to build bespoke, or use off-shelf solutions is a vital part of the role.
With over 4+ years of hands-on experience in the field, you are as capable of leading as you are developing, able to guide, mentor and suggest solutions to others and directly line manage our existing Junior Backend Developer. You will join a team of 12, directly managing 1.
This position is full-time, with an initial fixed contract of no less than 12 months, where we will seek to make permanent arrangements.
MLF supports flexible working arrangements and a designated home base. However, this role will require you to work from our London studio 60% of the time (3 days per week), growing with project needs. Where applicable, skilled worker visa sponsorship will be offered.
This role may require up to 2 months of non-consecutive international travel each year - projects depending.
Responsibilities
Working as a senior part of the technical team to develop, produce and create the core systems that drive our experiences, from networking protocol structure, and bespoke plugin integration through to novel systems
Understand and implement the pipelines for complex external systems within modern game engines (Unity & UE specifically)
Ability to recommend and evaluate custom implementations vs off-the-shelf solutions to best solve problems
Guide and mentor junior developers and peers in best practices
Maintain existing codebases and provide low-level support on complex programming problems
Management of internal codebases and libraries
Learn, develop and progress into new engines and tools as they emerge
Best practice version control and Dev Ops
Requirements
4+ years of experience, an extraordinary github/professional portfolio or a history of shipped titles/experiences
Extensive knowledge of C++, C# & Python with proficiency in others
Software development: system architecture, modular systems, version control, collaborative development, API design
Computer Science: networking, image/depth/transform data, algebra, matrix manipulation, 3D maths
Physical Engineering: understand the real world implications of embedded systems and user experiences
Expert understanding of networking and working with data (formats/storage/compression/transfer)
Specific needs: API development, SQL database management, knowledge or willingness to learn ZMQ networking paradigm, Classic REST/GET/HTTP design, JSON data structures, Protobuf experience, C#/python wrapping experience
DevOps: CI/CD, Jenkins, Docker, Gitflow & build pipelines
Would Be Nice
Experience with Game Engine content production pipelines
Understanding of modern Web3, Blockchain and DAO
Understanding of emerging technologies and their applications
Some understanding of shader development/integration
Understanding of physical computing
VR / AR / XR technology and methodology understanding
Comfortable working in small group environments to accomplish larger tasks
Details
This role is full time
Holiday at 25 days per year (plus bank holidays all pro rata)
Flexible working options and childcare friendly practices
Initial 12 month contract, with 3 month probationary period
Pension contributions
£50,000 - £70,000 depending on experience
About Us
Marshmallow Laser Feast is an experiential design studio based in Hackney Wick, London. We are a small team of around 20 which grows on a project-by-project basis. Our expertise has earned us a reputation for creating the seemingly impossible—for producing installations that push boundaries, redefine expectations and excite audiences worldwide. Our work is responsive and spans kinetic sculpture, film, live performance and virtual reality. Web: Marshmallowlaserfeast.com IG: marshmallowlaserfeast
Apply
We believe that proven skill and attitude are the most important factors in our team. If the above does not match your profile but you feel this role and MLF in your bones, please apply.
This is a full-time position lasting 12 months, the role will be open until we find the right person. We will seek to extend this at the conclusion of the initial contract.
MLF is a multi-national and multi-cultural team. We currently employ and support employees from all over the world under a number of visa schemes. As with all our positions, this role is eligible for sponsorship.
MLF is working on becoming more diverse and inclusive every day: we are not perfect and recognise that there is still work to be done, and are ready to do it. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Please send your CV and a unique cover letter, explaining how you fit the role and what you would bring to Marshmallow Laser Feast, to: jobs@marshmallowlaserfeast.com with the subject line Senior Backend Developer - Aug22.