Lead Engineer - Electronic Gaming Machines & SAS Integration

Description :

Contract Duration : 6-9 months (with potential extension)

Engagement Type : Contract / Project-based

About the Role :

We are a fast-growing gaming startup building a land-based slot machine platform for the US market. We are looking for a Lead Engineer (Contract) to drive the end-to-end development of our slot machine software stack, integrate with industry-standard hardware, and ensure compliance with global regulatory protocols (GLI/BMM).

This role requires deep technical expertise in SAS protocol implementation, EGM hardware/ software integration, and Unity-based game deployment. You will collaborate closely with our game designers, backend engineers, and compliance teams to deliver a certifiable, market-ready slot machine platform.

Key Responsibilities :

EGM Development & Integration :

- Architect and integrate the Lobby System with industry-standard cabinets (Aristocrat, IGT, Konami, etc.).

- Lead integration of hardware interfaces : button panels, coin/bill acceptors, ticket printers, TITO modules, tilt/door sensors, and NVRAM.

- Define button panel mapping and physical/touch interface behavior to align with game logic and jurisdictional requirements.

SAS Protocol & Compliance :

- Implement and maintain SAS 6.03+ host and client systems, enabling coin-in/out, credit meters, jackpots, ticketing, and machine event reporting.

- Develop test harnesses, emulators, and frameworks to support certification (GLI/BMM) and future compatibility with G2S/S2S protocols.

- Ensure all regulatory requirements are met, including RTP limits, denomination scaling, audit logging, and jurisdictional notices.

Game & System Integration :

- Integrate Unity-based games with EGMs via the Lobby System and SAS client stack.

- Connect game logic to SAS event reporting, update/download management, and secure OTA update infrastructure (signing, rollback, monitoring).

- Ensure compatibility across single/multi-screen EGM hardware and emulator environments.

Quality Assurance & Certification :

- Define and execute comprehensive QA/test plans covering functional, regression, performance, and stress testing.

- Document game math, RNG specs, paytables, and event reporting for certification readiness.

- Support compliance and certification processes with GLI/BMM or equivalent labs.

Leadership & Collaboration :

- Lead and mentor cross-functional engineers (firmware, game software, electrical design, QA).

- Collaborate with backend and analytics teams to sync EGM data with admin panels, dashboards, and financial reconciliation systems.

- Coordinate with external vendors, regulators, and partners to certify integrations, support field trials, and manage product rollouts.

Required Skills & Experience :

- Programming : Strong in C/C++, Python, and familiarity with Unity (C#).

- Embedded Systems : Experience with Linux-based development, real-time operating systems, and hardware integration (motherboard, backplane, peripherals).

- Protocols : Hands-on expertise with SAS 6.03+, serial communications (RS-232), and ideally exposure to G2S/S2S.

- Compliance : Deep knowledge of GLI/BMM standards, RNG validation, paytable design, and regulated gaming environments.

- Systems : Proven experience with secure OTA updates, NVRAM handling, and cloud-connected systems (AWS/Azure, PostgreSQL, NoSQL).

- Debugging : Strong troubleshooting across both emulators and physical slot cabinets.

- Leadership : Prior experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams, managing design/ code reviews, and driving innovation.

Preferred Qualifications :

- 7+ years in embedded systems or slot machine development, with at least 3 years in a senior/lead role.

- Prior experience at major gaming manufacturers (IGT, Aristocrat, Konami, Light & Wonder, or similar).

- Knowledge of game mathematics, player tracking systems, and analytics pipelines (Kafka/ Spark, Grafana/Prometheus).

- Bachelors or Masters in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.

- Certifications in gaming or networking (e.g., GLI, Linux+, Network+).

What We Offer :

- Opportunity to build the first-of-its-kind slot platform.

- Work with a world-class, cross-functional team of game designers, artists, and engineers.

- Competitive contract compensation.

- Potential to transition into a long-term leadership role as the platform scales.