4 ms·

The game industry uses the title "Lead Programmer", which I like. A lead programmer supervises "Senior Programmers." This role combines architecture, project m

by ekidd 16y ago

The game industry uses the title "Lead Programmer", which I like. A lead programmer supervises "Senior Programmers." This role combines architecture, project management, and some light management responsibilities for the team. You're still writing code, but you have overall responsibility for the technical parts of the project. It sounds like you've held this position at least once, and succeeded. Beyond this point, you'll either need to move to organization with a full-fledged technical career ladder (and try for a title like "Distinguished Engineer" or "IBM Fellow"), or pick up more management skills and go for "CTO" or "VP of Engineering." I'm learning management skills, and enjoying it: There are lots of problems which can only be solved by changing an organization as a whole, and not just by writing code. Even if that code is very sweet.

zach 16y ago
As a word of warning, nearly every single lead programmer I know (in games) find that their schedule and responsibilities tend to expand to the point where they have annoyingly little time to focus on writing code. The sole exception I can think of was a founder of the company -- he was able to effectively delegate management responsibilities and did not need to answer to anyone when he went into heads-down mode to work on a major task.
- swaits 16y ago
  Several years ago, my producer forced me to stop coding, because it was cutting into my time to manage, and I was frequently becoming "critical path" since I couldn't stay focussed entirely on coding tasks. I do miss coding. But, at the same time, when I want to play around (at home), I'm not completely burned out on it.
swaits 16y ago
Here at SCEA (San Diego Studio), for programmers we have: Associate Game Programmer, Game Programer, Sr. Game Programmer, Staff Game Programmer, and Sr. Staff Game Programmer (of which there are none that I know).

by ekidd 16y ago

zach 16y ago

As a word of warning, nearly every single lead programmer I know (in games) find that their schedule and responsibilities tend to expand to the point where they have annoyingly little time to focus on writing code. The sole exception I can think of was a founder of the company -- he was able to effectively delegate management responsibilities and did not need to answer to anyone when he went into heads-down mode to work on a major task.

swaits 16y ago
Several years ago, my producer forced me to stop coding, because it was cutting into my time to manage, and I was frequently becoming "critical path" since I couldn't stay focussed entirely on coding tasks. I do miss coding. But, at the same time, when I want to play around (at home), I'm not completely burned out on it.

swaits 16y ago

Here at SCEA (San Diego Studio), for programmers we have: Associate Game Programmer, Game Programer, Sr. Game Programmer, Staff Game Programmer, and Sr. Staff Game Programmer (of which there are none that I know).