Activision Blizzard logo
Activision Blizzard Verified
Video Games, Entertainment Software

Lead Software Engineer

Santa Monica, California, United StatesOnsiteContractLeadPosted 2 months agoVisa sponsorship available

Is this role right for you?

Upload your resume and get a skill-by-skill breakdown — see exactly where you match, where you're close, and what to highlight. Not a mystery percentage.

Get a tailored resume highlighting what this role needs.

Role summary

Activision is seeking a Lead Software Engineer for a 6-month contract role in Santa Monica, CA. This position focuses on building innovative player services and products within the Marketing Technology Org to drive loyalty and engagement for their leading game franchises. The role involves designing, developing, and operating large-scale, high-volume, high-availability distributed backend systems and consumer-facing APIs. Key responsibilities include collaborating with product managers and cross-functional teams, ensuring system scalability, performance, resiliency, and security. Familiarity with cloud platforms like GCP or Azure is advantageous.

Job Title:

Lead Software Engineer

Reporting To:

Engineering Manager - Marketing Technology Org

Department:

Marketing Technology Org

Location:

Santa Monica, CA

This is a 6-month contract role starting immediately

Your Mission

As a Lead Software Engineer at Activision, you will work within the Marketing Technology Org to build innovative and impactful player services and products that help to build loyalty and drive engagement for Activision’s industry leading games. Candidates should have development and implementation experience of large-scale applications

Key Responsibilities:

  • Interact with product managers to review priorities and schedule appropriate tasks
  • Build scalable, high-volume, high-availability systems, with a focus on delivering player value
  • Contribute, maintain and grow our services platform
  • Participate in the development of new features and defect resolution on existing applications, as well as assist with scoping and designing new product initiatives
  • Working closely with our Data team, Game teams and other development teams
  • Participate in software development with best practices and patterns

Player Profile:

  • Extensive senior-level experience in designing, developing, and enhancing large-scale distributed backend systems that support high-volume, player-facing applications
  • Advanced proficiency in Java, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of backend engineering best practices
  • Significant hands-on experience in working with and operating high-traffic, consumer-facing APIs, with in-depth knowledge of API best practices, including REST/async patterns, versioning, backward compatibility, and reliability
  • Thorough understanding of scalability, performance, and resiliency considerations, with demonstrated expertise in designing systems capable of handling high concurrency and throughput
  • Strong focus on security, evidenced by experience in building secure services encompassing authentication, authorization, data protection, and secure service-to-service communication
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities, with a proven track record in resolving complex technical issues collaboratively
  • Demonstrated effectiveness as a senior team member, actively contributing to architectural decisions and supporting overall team success
  • Experienced in close collaboration with product managers and cross-functional stakeholders to review priorities, align trade-offs, and deliver effective outcomes
  • Capable working autonomously while maintaining a collaborative, proactive, and accountable approach
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Google Cloud Platform (GCP) or Microsoft Azure is an advantage
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent practical experience required

Bonus Points:

  • Skilled in cloud deployment, autoscaling, and cost optimization
  • Experienced with NoSQL and distributed data systems
  • Flexible in dynamic environments
  • Proven ownership throughout the project lifecycle
  • Strong communication and teamwork abilities

Company Description

Activision is a global leader in interactive entertainment, renowned for creating iconic franchises such as Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, and Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™. Our mission is to deliver innovative, fun, and engaging gaming experiences that delight millions of players worldwide. With cutting-edge technology and a commitment to inclusivity, we push boundaries in gaming and entertainment. Joining our team means becoming part of a legacy of success and shaping the future of interactive experiences while advancing your career. We are dedicated to creating unforgettable moments for players everywhere.

Ready to apply?
You'll be redirected to Activision Blizzard's application page.

Similar roles