Lead Game Developer (Free to Play/Instant Games)
Midnite • United Kingdom
Posted: February 10, 2026
Job Description
About the role
We're looking for a Lead Game Developer to take technical ownership of a new suite of F2P (Free to play) / instant games, built using web-based game technology (e.g. Phaser, Pixi.js, PlayCanvas) and delivered inside the main Midnite native app.
You’ll work as part of a small, autonomous product team, taking a hands-on ownership role in shaping the design, technical approach, and gameplay quality of the games we ship. Working closely with product, art, and engineering partners, you’ll turn ideas into polished, high-quality playable experiences, with full responsibility for how games are built and delivered.
What you'll do
- Have full ownership and technical direction of our F2P / instant games, setting standards for architecture, performance, and gameplay feel
- Build and ship core gameplay mechanics using Phaser, Pixi.js, or similar WebGL-based frameworks
- Work closely with the Lead Artist to implement animations, interactions, and visual polish
- Ensure games are fast, visually-rich, and stable across mobile devices and in-app WebViews
- Integrate games with backend services for outcomes, prizes, analytics, and configuration
- Work with native app, platform, and product teams to integrate games cleanly into the Midnite app; align on technical constraints and capabilities; and ensure games meet product, compliance, and operational requirements
- Collaborate with native app teams on WebView integration, fullscreen presentation, and lifecycle handling
- Set and uphold engineering standards for game development, including code quality, performance, and maintainability
- Review code, provide technical guidance, and mentor future game developers as the team grows
What we're looking for (required)
- 5+ years experience building games or real-time interactive experiences
- Experience working in casino, iGaming, betting, or instant games
- Strong experience with JavaScript / TypeScript
- Proven hands-on experience with Phaser, Pixi.js, or similar HTML5/WebGL frameworks
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical decisions and own gameplay architecture
- Familiarity with server-authoritative or deterministic game logic in regulated or high-trust product environments
- Strong understanding of animation and tweening; input handling; and performance optimisation on mobile and web
- Confident collaborating across disciplines and translating product needs into technical solutions
- Ability to communicate technical concepts and processes to non-technical teams
- Contribute creatively and collaborate on game design discussions
Nice to have but not essential
- Experience with 2D physics systems or fake-3D techniques
- Familiarity with WebGL performance constraints and asset pipelines
- Interest in or experience adapting to PlayCanvas / Three.js / Unity if 3D is ever required
Additional Content
About the role
We're looking for a Lead Game Developer to take technical ownership of a new suite of F2P (Free to play) / instant games, built using web-based game technology (e.g. Phaser, Pixi.js, PlayCanvas) and delivered inside the main Midnite native app.
You’ll work as part of a small, autonomous product team, taking a hands-on ownership role in shaping the design, technical approach, and gameplay quality of the games we ship. Working closely with product, art, and engineering partners, you’ll turn ideas into polished, high-quality playable experiences, with full responsibility for how games are built and delivered.
What you'll do
- Have full ownership and technical direction of our F2P / instant games, setting standards for architecture, performance, and gameplay feel
- Build and ship core gameplay mechanics using Phaser, Pixi.js, or similar WebGL-based frameworks
- Work closely with the Lead Artist to implement animations, interactions, and visual polish
- Ensure games are fast, visually-rich, and stable across mobile devices and in-app WebViews
- Integrate games with backend services for outcomes, prizes, analytics, and configuration
- Work with native app, platform, and product teams to integrate games cleanly into the Midnite app; align on technical constraints and capabilities; and ensure games meet product, compliance, and operational requirements
- Collaborate with native app teams on WebView integration, fullscreen presentation, and lifecycle handling
- Set and uphold engineering standards for game development, including code quality, performance, and maintainability
- Review code, provide technical guidance, and mentor future game developers as the team grows
What we're looking for (required)
- 5+ years experience building games or real-time interactive experiences
- Experience working in casino, iGaming, betting, or instant games
- Strong experience with JavaScript / TypeScript
- Proven hands-on experience with Phaser, Pixi.js, or similar HTML5/WebGL frameworks
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical decisions and own gameplay architecture
- Familiarity with server-authoritative or deterministic game logic in regulated or high-trust product environments
- Strong understanding of animation and tweening; input handling; and performance optimisation on mobile and web
- Confident collaborating across disciplines and translating product needs into technical solutions
- Ability to communicate technical concepts and processes to non-technical teams
- Contribute creatively and collaborate on game design discussions
Nice to have but not essential
- Experience with 2D physics systems or fake-3D techniques
- Familiarity with WebGL performance constraints and asset pipelines
- Interest in or experience adapting to PlayCanvas / Three.js / Unity if 3D is ever required