Lead Programmer

Location: Hybrid - should be able to visit our office based in Sheffield approx once a month.
Relocation assistance is available

About us

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. We’re a small team with giant ambitions and already making waves across the videogames and boxing industry.

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

About the role

This is a full time (37.5 hours per week) permanent 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. We are looking for an ambitious and dedicated Lead Programmer to not only own future development on “Undisputed”, but to act as a true leader and change agent, looking for areas of improvement across process, collaboration and culture alike.

We're looking for the following skillset:

• Computer Science, Games Development or equivalent degree level education.

• An expert level of experience in C#. Experienced in working in a variety of coding styles and fearless in jumping in to help in unfamiliar code.

• Familiarity with version control systems and experience in managing them.

• Significant Line Management experience.

• Strong computer science skills, alongside a willingness to learn new techniques and technologies and improve as a programmer. 

• 7+ years’ experience of working in video games, with 3+ in a lead role.

• Has successfully shipped at least one title in a lead role.

• A can-do, calming attitude when solving common problems encountered by small teams, and a team player who will encourage the team and celebrate their wins alongside them, while coaching them through the tougher periods.

• Excellent organization and time management skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Very good written and spoken English.

• Willing to visit our studio in Sheffield around once per month.

Desirable skills

• A passion for boxing.

• Any experience working on game consoles.

• Willing to relocate to the Sheffield area.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Lead the programming team on our current live game, Undisputed, under the guidance of the Tech Director.
• Performing Line Management for a proportion of the team, with the support of the Technical Director and Senior Team.
• Provide mentorship and support and assist in assessing training requirements and reviewing training results.
• Manage staff performance and report on it to the Technical Director and HR when required.
• Review and/or create technical design for new feature work in Undisputed and future projects, in co-operation with existing feature owners.
• Contribute to the codebase, helping the code team directly with the most challenging tasks, and gently guiding them for others.
• Assist other departments in developing their needs for new features into implementable specification.
• Drive efforts to improve the codebase such as automated testing for QA, unit testing for stability, and performance monitoring.
• Assist Production in planning to support ongoing live service efforts, hotfixes and new features.
• Ensure best practises in writing clear, robust and maintainable code are followed across the team.
• Ensure that company values are promoted across the company and assist in promoting good team morale.

What we offer

• 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

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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.