Senior Gameplay Programmer

Location: Hybrid - should be able to visit our office based in Sheffield approximately once a month.

Relocation assistance is available. 

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.  

About the role

Joining Steel City Interactive’s team at this exciting point of our journey is a rare opportunity to shape the future of our debut title “Undisputed”, our brand new million-selling boxing title, and future projects. Our in-ring boxing gameplay is recognised as the best in the business, and you will be contributing to enhancing it even further. You’ll also be involved in implementing gameplay on future projects from the studio.

This is a full time (37.5 hours per week) permanent role.

What you will be responsible for

• Work in cooperation with other Gameplay Programmers, programmers in other disciplines, artists, animators, and level designers to design, implement, polish, debug and optimize high quality gameplay features and systems
• Troubleshoot complex problems as they arise and construct solutions to unforeseen design problems in a timely manner
• Analyse and refactor code to optimize performance
• Take ownership where required to ensure that features and systems implemented are created at a high quality
• Work with the Production department as part of our agile development methodology, estimating tasks as accurately as possible
• Ensuring that code you write is clear, performant and maintainable.
• Assist others on the team to reach a similar standard that you work to, including via code reviews, debugging sessions, and more.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of relevant programming experience with at least 1 shipped game
• A very high skill level in C# and the Unity Engine
• Strong debugging skills with ability to work in a large, pre-existing codebase
• Ability to interpret written game designs and implement them quickly and effectively
• Well-read in game mechanics, and has a passion for the design principles behind games
• Self-directed and capable of working on projects independently
• Ability to work well in a fluid, changing environment as creative challenges evolve
• Strong work ethic, self-motivated, demonstrates initiative, and a powerful creative drive
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize work
• Strong computer science skills.
• Experience with source control systems such as Git, Perforce etc.
• Willingness to learn new technologies and improve as a programmer. 
• A can-do attitude when coming up with solutions to common problems encountered by small teams.
• Excellent communication skills, and excellent written and spoken English.
• Willing to visit SCI’s office in Sheffield around once per month.

• Experience with C++ or the Unreal Engine

• Experience working on game consoles.

• A passion for boxing, combat sports or fighting games

• Line Management 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
• Option to add children to our Healthcare Cash Plan

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
• Healthcare Cash Plan which includes optical and dental
• Access to 24/7 doctors
• Employee Assistance Programme
• £300 wellbeing stipend every January

Learning support:

• Career progression path
• 5 Learning days per year
• 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

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.