Lead Systems & Performance Engineer

Keystone AI is looking for an experienced and passionate Lead Systems & Performance Engineer to join the Hunt: Showdown 1896 team in our new state-of-the-art office in Frankfurt, Germany. In this role, you will own and drive the development of core systems and performance initiatives from planning and design through implementation and optimization. Working closely with engineers and cross-disciplinary teams, you will provide technical leadership and feature ownership while contributing hands-on to the continued evolution of Hunt: Showdown 1896. What You'll Do Provide technical and people leadership for the Systems & Performance team. Lead the design, development, and optimization of systems and performance initiatives, contributing hands-on throughout development. Ensure Hunt: Showdown 1896 meets performance, scalability, stability, and reliability targets across client and dedicated server environments. Collaborate closely with Gameplay, Design, Engine, QA, and Production teams to deliver high-quality technical solutions and player-facing features. Work closely with technical leadership to translate technical direction into actionable plans and drive successful execution within the team. Plan, estimate, and prioritize technical work, balancing feature development, optimization, technical debt, and long-term maintainability. Mentor engineers through coaching, code reviews, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing. Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement. What You Bring 7+ years of professional experience as a programmer in the games industry. Experience leading teams and technical initiatives, driving the development of complex systems and features, and mentoring engineers. Excellent C++ programming and software design skills. Experience with current console and PC development. Strong debugging, profiling, performance analysis, and optimization skills. Strong understanding of systems programming concepts, including multi-threading, I/O, and memory management. Team-oriented, self-driven, and able to take ownership. Solid English skills, good communication skills, and an open and transparent communication style. What you can expect from us Career Path Your professional development is important to us, so we have laid out a career plan to help you progress towards your goals and objectives. Relocation Support We offer a relocation budget and full coverage of flights to Frankfurt for you and your family. You can expect extensive assistance with visa, work permits, and communication with authorities during the relocation process, as well as help settling into Germany (e.g. setting up appointments with banks, government agencies, schools, landlords, finding apartments etc.). Company Apartment To help you get settled, we provide you with a fully furnished company apartment during your first three months in Frankfurt. Public Transport Pass Discover Frankfurt by bus, tram and metro – free of charge. Gym Card A healthy body is a healthy mind. We offer a membership at the premium gym chain Fitness First in Germany. Work out, join group fitness classes, or relax in the wellness facilities. State-of-the-art Office We’ve recently moved into a brand-new, modern office located in the heart of Frankfurt. Our new workspace is designed to inspire creativity and collaboration, with open areas, quiet zones, and top-tier facilities — all just steps away from public transport, restaurants, bars and cultural hotspots. Hybrid Working We believe in the value of in-person collaboration while also supporting flexibility. Our hybrid working model includes three days per week in the office and the option to work remotely up to two days per week, unless role-specific requirements or business needs require you to be on site. Equal Opportunity & Inclusion We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. We welcome people of all backgrounds and identities and are proud to be a truly global team, with employees from over 42 countries contributing their ideas, cultures, and perspectives every day. German Classes Understanding the local culture will make your stay abroad more enjoyable, and Keystone AI supports that by offering German language courses for you and your family. Events Join us on our exciting company events, including new starter breakfasts, summer and winter parties, our annual trip to Gamescom in Cologne, and many more! Vacation Days At our Frankfurt office you can enjoy 24 days of vacation per year, and every 2 years you get 1 more (up to a maximum of 28 days). You will also have on average 10 public holidays on top of the days you take off.