Senior Character Physics Programmer

1 Hour ago • All levels
Physics Engine

Job Description

Steel City Interactive (SCI) is a game studio born from a passion for video games and boxing, creating 'Undisputed', the first major boxing video game in over a decade. They foster a diverse and communicative environment. The role is for a highly experienced Senior Character Physics Programmer to join the team as they pivot to UE5, responsible for developing new character physics features, optimizing simulation, and integrating animations to achieve AAA fidelity in character-based gameplay.
Good To Have:
  • Experience of Character AI Systems.
Must Have:
  • Design, implement, and maintain character physics systems using UE's Chaos Physics engine.
  • Integrate physics with animation systems, utilizing animation montages, blend shapes, and IK solvers.
  • Optimize fixed-/sub-step physics frames for precise simulations and procedural animations.
  • Collaborate on animation pipelines, incorporating Motion Matching, Control Rig, MetaHuman, and ML Deformers.
  • Optimize general physics and animation performance through LODding and multi-threading.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to physics-animation interactions.
  • Prototype new features for character interactions, like soft body impacts and multiplayer synchronization.
  • Contribute to code reviews, best practices, and documentation for physics and animation teams.
  • Stay current with Unreal Engine updates and emerging technologies in character simulation.
  • Proven experience in character physics programming for AAA games.
  • Deep knowledge of C++ and Unreal Engine tools.
  • Experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5 physics and animation pipelines.
  • An eye for realistic motion and ability to collaborate with animators and designers.
  • Proven experience with engine-level debugging and performance optimisation.
  • Strong understanding of character movement dynamics, 3D maths, and data structures.
  • Strong understanding of underlying (UE) engine structures and techniques.
  • Solid understanding of software architecture and engineering best practices.
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills.
  • Self-driven with a proactive mindset and attention to detail.
  • A genuine passion for games and game development.
Perks:
  • 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing 1 day per year of service.
  • Christmas shut down.
  • Holiday exchange programme.
  • Flexible working hours & pattern (Certain Hybrid models available).
  • Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay.
  • Private Healthcare which includes Optical & Dental.
  • A dog friendly studio based in Sheffield, with free snacks, fruit and drinks.
  • Free parking.
  • Company sick pay.
  • 2 days paid Mental Health leave per year.
  • Access to 24/7 doctors.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Learning days.
  • Technology scheme (up to £750).
  • Discretionary Cost of Living Payments.
  • Relocation benefits (subject to eligibility requirements).
  • Electric Car Vehicle Scheme (subject to eligibility requirements).
  • Discretionary Bonus.
  • Wrap parties & company paid outings.
  • Individual entertainment budget to cover team events.

Add these skills to join the top 1% applicants for this job

communication
problem-solving
budget-management
rigging
cpp
unreal
unity
data-structures
game-texts
multiplayer

Join us in bringing the world of boxing into a video game like never before!

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

You are a highly experienced Character Physics Programmer, having worked on AAA titles within Unreal Engine, where you showcased your skills in perfecting physics-driven character animations and seamless integration with animation pipelines to deliver immersive, realistic gameplay experiences.

We're looking for a Senior Character Physics Programmer to help shape the future of our game. In at the start as we pivot to UE5 you'll be responsible for the development of new character physics features for our game, optimising and maintaining the physical simulation and animation integration of our product to AAA fidelity.

You will be working in collaboration with a highly talented, diverse team to create world-class character-based gameplay.

Responsibilities

  • Design, implement, and maintain our character physics systems using UE's Chaos Physics engine, including rigid-body dynamics, high fidelity impact collisions, and ragdoll effects tailored to realistic human characters.
  • Integrate physics with animation systems, utilizing animation montages, blend shapes and IK solvers.
  • Optimize fixed-/sub-step physics frames for precise simulations, and procedural animations to achieve lifelike character responses (e.g. punches, dodges, and falls in a 60fps multiplayer boxing match context).
  • Collaborate on animation pipelines, incorporating tools like Motion Matching for fluid animation blending, Control Rig for real-time rigging, MetaHuman for high-fidelity character models, and customizing ML Deformers for advanced muscle and skin deformations.
  • Optimize general physics and animation performance through LODding and multi-threading or asynchronous strategies, debugging concurrency issues, and ensuring smooth integration & performance across consoles and PC.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to physics-animation interactions, such as joint deformations, corrective expressions, and foot-sliding.
  • Prototype new features for character interactions, like soft body impacts and multiplayer synchronization of character physics states.
  • Contribute to code reviews, best practices, and documentation for the physics and animation teams.
  • Stay current with Unreal Engine updates and emerging technologies in character simulation, and the Chaos Physics engine.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

  • Proven Experience in character physics programming.
  • Deep knowledge of key technologies used in character physics and animation for AAA games, such as C++ and Unreal Engine tools.
  • Experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5 physics and animation pipelines.
  • An eye for realistic motion - the ability to discuss with animators and gameplay designers what works dynamically and how to make it fit within our game.
  • Proven experience with engine-level debugging and performance optimisation.
  • Strong understanding of character movement dynamics, 3D maths and data structures.
  • Strong understanding of the underlying (UE) engine structures and techniques.
  • Solid understanding of software architecture and engineering best practices.
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills.
  • Self-driven with a proactive mindset and attention to detail.
  • A genuine passion for games and game development.
  • Experience of Character AI Systems a bonus.

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 & pattern (Certain Hybrid models available)

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

Learning support:

  • Learning days

Additional financial support:

  • Technology scheme (up to £750)
  • Discretionary Cost of Living Payments
  • Relocation benefits (subject to eligibility requirements)
  • Electric Car Vehicle Scheme (subject to eligibility requirements)
  • Discretionary Bonus

Connection and perks:

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

Set alerts for more jobs like Senior Character Physics Programmer
Set alerts for new jobs by Steel City Interactive
Set alerts for new Physics Engine jobs in United Kingdom
Set alerts for new jobs in United Kingdom
Set alerts for Physics Engine (Remote) jobs

Contact Us
hello@outscal.com
Made in INDIA 💛💙