Game Programmer jobs in Leeds

Who We Are

At Cast Iron Games, we build technically ambitious games in a calm, focused environment, where every team member has a voice. Based in Tileyard North, we collaborate with high quality partners on high-quality projects, guided by clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.

We're a young and growing studio delivering AAA games. Our experienced team has contributed to some of the industry's biggest AAA and independent titles, and we're building a supportive, balanced environment where great work happens without crunch.

The Role

As a Senior Graphics Programmer, you'll specialise in rendering and visual technology within Unreal Engine 5. You'll work closely with artists, technical artists, and engineers to create high-quality visual experiences while ensuring performance remains scalable across supported platforms.

You'll take ownership of graphics features and rendering systems, helping shape technical solutions that balance visual ambition with production realities.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain rendering features within Unreal Engine 5

• Work closely with art and technical art teams to support visual targets

• Develop and optimise shaders, materials, lighting, and rendering systems

• Profile and improve GPU and CPU rendering performance

• Investigate rendering issues across multiple platforms

• Contribute to graphics-related technical planning and architecture decisions

• Support junior and mid-level engineers through mentoring and code reviews

• Improve workflows and tools that support content creation and visual iteration

What We're Looking For

Technical Experience

• Strong experience working with Unreal Engine 4 or 5 in production

• Strong C++ and Blueprint experience

• Deep understanding of Unreal's rendering architecture

• Experience with shaders, materials, lighting systems, and post-processing

• Familiarity with Unreal profiling and debugging tools

• Understanding of modern rendering techniques and graphics pipelines

• Experience optimising GPU and CPU rendering performance

• Comfortable using Perforce and Jira

Ways of Working

• Comfortable owning graphics features from planning through implementation

• Able to collaborate effectively with artists, technical artists, and designers

• Proactive in identifying technical risks and proposing solutions

• Supportive of teammates through reviews and knowledge sharing

• Passionate about visual quality and performance

Bonus Points

• Experience modifying or extending Unreal's rendering systems

• Experience with Nanite, Lumen, Virtual Shadow Maps, or other UE5 rendering technologies

• Experience shipping Unreal titles on console

• Familiarity with DirectX 12, Vulkan, or platform-specific graphics APIs

• Experience building graphics debugging or visualisation tools

Why Cast Iron Games

• A people-first studio with a clear focus on craft, clarity, and collaboration

• A high-trust team where experience is valued and voices are heard

• A respectful, experienced team with a strong engineering culture

• The opportunity to ship performance-optimised, cross-platform games you're proud of

• Different projects. New challenges. Constant growth

• Creative surroundings at Tileyard North, with a supportive creative community

• Competitive salary, flexible hours and professional development support

• Opportunities to lead with clarity, autonomy, and real impact

• No crunch. No egos. Just good code, good people and good games

What to Expect / Key Benefits

• Start your day any time between 8:00am and 10:00am

• 35 working hours per week with a 1-hour lunch break (with the opportunity to flex down to 30 minutes or up to 2 hours)

• 25 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday

• 1 day leave for your birthday and 1 day leave if you're moving house

• Length of service increases are 1 day per year of service up to maximum of 8 additional days

• Up to 8 days discretionary annual leave during our end of year break

• Potential for annual performance bonus

• Free breakfast options, juice, hot drinks and fruit

• Employee referral bonus (up to £2000!)

• Group Life Assurance – 4 x annual salary payable to nominated beneficiaries through an expression of wishes form.

• Income Protection – covers you up for up to 50% of monthly salary for 2 years (after a 26 week deferred period, i.e. when SSP runs out)

• Critical Illness Cover – lump sum of 1 x annual salary on diagnosis of a critical illness

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• EV & Hybrid Car Scheme

• Tech Purchase Scheme – split the cost of Tech or Home electronics through salary deduction, interest free

• Healthcare Cash plan – claim back the cost of everyday healthcare, dental, physio, chiropractor, opticians, podiatry etc

• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality

• Reward Gateway with cashback and discounts on 900+ retailers

• Employee Assistance Programme including Virtual GP service

• Wellbeing Centre based on Mind, Move, Munch and Money