Technical Director - RuneScape: Dragonwilds

Dubizzle Limited; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - GBP 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading game development studio in Cambridge is looking for a Technical Director for RuneScape: Dragonwilds. This role involves defining the technical vision and guiding a team in developing scalable game technology. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in shipping AAA titles, expertise in Unreal Engine, and a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams. This position offers flexible working options and a generous benefits package including private healthcare and enhanced family leave policies.

Benefits

Private Healthcare

Minimum 6% Pension contributions

Life Insurance

Discretionary annual performance bonus

Flexible working hours

25 days annual leave + Bank holidays

Qualifications

• End-to-end experience shipping AAA titles, ideally including live-service games.
• Expertise in Unreal Engine and C++.
• Experience managing co-development or outsourcing pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Establish and drive the technical vision for RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing engineering team.
• Work closely with production to plan engineering delivery.

Skills

Extensive experience shipping AAA PC or console titles

Deep expertise with Unreal Engine

Strong background in MMORPGs

Excellent communication skills

Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams

Job description

Office location: Cambridge, UK - This position can accommodate flexible working options, including predominantly remote work. However, applicants should be based (or be willing to relocate) within a comfortable commuting distance of our Office to be able to attend onsite as required.

Are you a technical leader passionate about building scalable game technology that powers rich and evolving player experiences?

As Technical Director for RuneScape: Dragonwilds, you will define, own, and evolve the technical vision behind a next‑generation entry in the RuneScape universe. You’ll be accountable for ensuring the game is built on a robust, performant, and extensible foundation capable of supporting a modern live‑service experience while honouring the RuneScape legacy.

Working closely with design, art, engineering, product, and production teams, you’ll guide the project through complex technical challenges across systems, tools, infrastructure, and live operations. You’ll champion engineering quality, technical coherence, and sustainable development practices, empowering teams to deliver ambitious creative outcomes while maintaining long‑term technical health.

As a senior leader within the studio, you’ll represent the Dragonwilds engineering organisation to Jagex senior leadership and partner teams, while also contributing to wider studio‑wide engineering strategy and cross‑project collaboration.

What you’ll be doing:

• Establish and drive the technical vision for RuneScape: Dragonwilds, aligned with creative direction, world‑building goals, and long‑term live‑service strategy.
• Define architectural principles, technology choices, and best practices supporting a large‑scale online RPG built in Unreal Engine 5.
• Ensure engineering focus is aligned with the highest‑impact areas for stability, scalability, and long‑term growth.

• Build, lead, mentor, and grow a high‑performing engineering team passionate about the RuneScape universe.
• Line manage engineering leaders and contributors as required, providing coaching, feedback, and career development support.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that values ownership, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with HR and Talent Acquisition on recruitment, succession planning, and capability development.

• Work closely with production to plan engineering delivery, manage risks, and align milestones with gameplay and live‑ops needs.
• Build and maintain a transparent, adaptable technical roadmap supporting ongoing content updates and system evolution.
• Advocate for engineering needs during planning, ensuring technical health, performance targets, and operational resilience.

• Guarantee the stability, performance, maintainability, and scalability of Dragonwilds across PC and future platforms.
• Apply live‑game expertise to support continuous content delivery and long‑term system evolution.
• Guide engineers across multiple technical domains, offering constructive feedback beyond your direct specialism.
• Promote modern development practices, strong code quality, and efficient workflows aligned with studio standards.

• Partner with Jagex senior leadership to align Dragonwilds with wider studio goals, technology strategy, and franchise initiatives.
• Represent Dragonwilds engineering across leadership, product, and craft forums within Jagex.

What we’re looking for:

• Extensive end‑to‑end experience shipping AAA PC or console titles, ideally including live‑service or large‑scale online games.
• Deep professional expertise with Unreal Engine and C++.
• Strong background developing or operating long‑lived online worlds, ideally within MMORPGs or related genres.
• Experience managing complex co‑development or outsourcing pipelines for large‑scale content production.
• Proven ability to lead and grow multidisciplinary technology teams through production and live phases.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence influencing senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success improving pipelines, processes, and workflows across cross‑functional teams.
• A servant‑leader mindset that empowers teams, supports well‑being, and inspires creative excellence.
• A passion for delivering exceptional player experiences and contributing to the evolution of the RuneScape franchise.

What we offer:

When you join Jagex you can look forward to a generous Perks & Benefits package including:

Private Healthcare, including Dental Plan.
Minimum 6% Pension contributions.
Life Insurance.
Discretionary annual performance bonus.
Enhanced family leave policies from day 1.
Flexible working hours.
25 days annual leave + Bank holidays & the option to buy/sell holidays + so much more!

About Jagex:

Jagex is a leader in developing and publishing deep, engaging online games that connect millions of players worldwide. Best known for the RuneScape franchise, which includes two of the world’s longest running and most successful MMORPGs, in Old School RuneScape and RuneScape, and the open‑world survival crafting game, RuneScape: Dragonwilds; we have proven success in delivering immersive Forever Games and fostering strong player communities.

We strive to foster an inclusive workplace built on trust, autonomy, and a shared passion for creating forever games.
Our values guide everything we do: We Embrace Fellowship by collaborating and sharing openly. We Hone our Craft by always learning and improving; We Honour our Vows by being honest and transparent; We are our Customers’ Heroes by striving to understand our team & player needs, and We Seize The Day by making the most of every opportunity.

With over two decades of experience, and over 400 people in our team, we continue to innovate in live game development, leveraging data‑driven insights, and a commitment to player‑first game design. We have a diverse and talented team where creativity, collaboration, and community‑driven game development drives everything we do.

As part of Jagex, you’ll have the opportunity to work on a globally successful franchise, contribute to exciting new projects, and be part of a company that hugely values both our employees and our players.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, and we recruit, develop, and promote based on merit and ability.
We encourage candidates to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, in line with the Equality Act 2010.