Principal Unreal Programmer

About Steel City Interactive

SCI was born out of passion for video games and boxing, with the ambition to create an authentic and exciting boxing game that does justice to the sport we love. What started as a fun prototype has grown into ‘Undisputed’, the first major boxing video game in over a decade.  

SCI is a welcoming place for expression and open communication, where everyone has a voice. We’re a diverse bunch, consisting of people with decades of games industry experience, graduates and talented individuals who come from other industries. We all bring knowledge and learn from each other.

Together we are driven by ambition to bring the world of boxing into a video game like never before.  

The Role

We are seeking a Principal Programmer, a generalist, to be a core part of a small but experienced team on Undisputed as we pivot to UE5. It’s a chance to get in at the early stages and set-up the shape and direction we take. You will be responsible for authoring core game systems and getting the project started on a strong foundation. You're likely to have a hand in a broad range of disciplines, your role evolving into a key senior voice in a growing team.. You'll work very closely with studio leadership, the various teams to prototype, iterate, evolve and polish gameplay elements to the highest quality possible.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Studio Technical Director and the early team to set-up the project in UE5
• Architect and implement foundational game systems (e.g., input, save/load, streaming, memory management, performance profiling, etc.) for a new AAA console title.
• Collaborate with technical leadership to define the game’s technical vision and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Establish and enforce coding standards, best practices, and development workflows across the engineering team.
• Prototype and evaluate new technologies and tools to improve development efficiency and game performance.
• Mentor and support junior and mid-level programmers, fostering a culture of learning and technical excellence.
• Work cross-functionally with design, animation, and art teams to ensure seamless integration of gameplay features and systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in shipping AAA titles
• Expert-level proficiency in C++ and deep understanding of Unreal Engine, ideally UE5 (including Gameplay Framework, Blueprints, and Engine subsystems).
• Proven experience in architecting game systems and leading technical direction on large-scale projects.
• Strong understanding of console development pipelines, memory/performance constraints, and platform-specific requirements.
• Excellent debugging, profiling, and optimization skills.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with a collaborative mindset.
• Passion for delivering a world class player experience

What we offer

Healthy work-life balance:

• 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), that increases 1 day per year of service.
• Christmas shut down
• Holiday exchange programme
• Flexible working hours

Support for family life:

• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• Private Healthcare which includes Optical & Dental

Great office environment:

• A dog friendly studio based in Sheffield, with free snacks, fruit and drinks!
• Free parking

Health & wellbeing support:

• Company sick pay
• 2 days paid Mental Health leave per year
• Access to 24/7 doctors
• Employee Assistance Programme
• £300 wellbeing stipend every January

Learning support:

• Learning days
• Unlimited access to Udemy courses

Additional financial support:

• Technology scheme (up to £750)
• Discount Club at over 350 high street stores
• Discretionary Cost of Living Payments
• Relocation benefits
• Electric Car Vehicle Scheme
• Bonus

Connection and perks:

• Wrap parties & company paid outings
• Individual entertainment budget to cover team events

Steel City Interactive is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to building a diverse team and welcome all applications, considering them without regard to race, religion, belief, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender reassignment, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, sex or sexual orientation.

If you’re excited about this role and believe you would add value to our team, but don’t meet every single requirement, we would still like to hear from you – please let us know about the value you would bring in your application.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

Please be aware that all applications for roles submitted through our website will be managed by our external recruitment partner, Amiqus. While they will handle the processing and management of your application, your data will remain securely stored within our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal information. By submitting your CV through our website, you give your permission for your application to be managed by Amiqus and to be contacted by them on SCI’s behalf.