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Hardlight

Senior Software Engineer (Graphics)

Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible

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At a Glance

Tasks: Join our Graphics Team to enhance Football Manager's visual quality and performance.
Company: Sports Interactive, a SEGA subsidiary, creates iconic games like Football Manager.
Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, subsidised mental health support, free games, and a vibrant office culture.
Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values collaboration and creativity in game development.
Qualifications: Experience with C#, Unity, and graphics optimisation is essential; passion for gaming is a must!
Other info: We promote inclusivity and are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

Job Title: Senior Software Engineer

Team: Graphics

Location: SI HQ, Here East, London / Remote

Reporting to: Lead Software Engineer (Graphics)

We are Sports Interactive

The gaming studio behind: Football Manager.

Founded in 1994, Sports Interactive (‘SI’) became a wholly owned subsidiary of SEGA Europe in 2006. Based at the Here East technology hub in Stratford, East London, the SI team continues to expand as we bring our titles to an ever-growing audience across an increasing variety of platforms.

To support our growth, we welcome the opportunity to connect with passionate people with the drive to match our ambitions and initiative to realise your individual potential.

Position Overview

Continually improving the visual quality and performance of Football Manager is one of our main goals, and we are looking for an experienced, passionate graphics software engineer to join our team.

In this role you will collaborate with peers in the Graphics Team as well as work closely with the Art Department to implement features across all the platforms and devices we support.

We are using Unity as our game engine, so experience in this technology is critical for the role.

Key Responsibilities

Implement and maintain rendering features, including character rendering, lighting, post-processing, and materials.
Develop and optimize shaders and rendering code in Unity for multiple platforms.
Profile and optimize rendering performance and memory usage across target platforms.
Build and maintain tools to improve artist workflows.
Implement automated tests and asset validation tools.
Debug rendering issues and ensure visual fidelity within performance constraints.
Collaborate with artists and engineers to create scalable, high-quality rendering solutions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential:

Extensive professional experience using C# as the main language.
Significant experience as a graphics software engineer, having shipped at least one game using Unity on multiple platforms.
Strong knowledge of Unity URP, including customization via Render Graph and SRP.
Proficiency in HLSL and Shader Graph, with experience writing optimized shaders for multiple platforms.
Solid understanding of GPU architectures, rendering techniques, and graphics performance optimization.
Experience profiling and debugging rendering issues using tools like RenderDoc, Unity Profiler, PIX, or NSight.
Deep understanding of 3D math, including linear algebra and transformations.
Understanding of real-time lighting, shadows, and physically based rendering (PBR).
Strong software engineering skills, including clean code architecture and performance-focused development.
Experience with asset pipelines, understanding how assets move from DCC tools to Unity.
Excellent communication skills, able to collaborate with both engineers and artists effectively.

Desirable:

Experience with GI solutions for procedurally generated scenes.
Knowledge of HDRP and ability to work across multiple rendering pipelines.
Experience with testing methodologies in C# and Unity.
Experience developing C++ native plugins for Unity.
Experience of developing for iOS, Android, Switch.
Familiarity with low-level graphics APIs such as DirectX 11/12, Metal, or Vulkan.

Benefits of Working at Sports Interactive:

A flexible working policy to best suit you and your team.
Subsidised mental health, therapy and coaching sessions are available.
Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 7% of annual salary).
Free onsite evening bar in the Sports Interactive London HQ.
A well-stocked breakfast bar with cereals, fruits, teas, and coffees.
Regular events in collaboration with our partnered football clubs. ️
Access to our on-site physical and massage therapist services.
Multiple clubs and societies to join e.g., book club and art workshops. ????
Free access to games released under the SEGA Europe umbrella. ️
A range of Gym Membership options through our Benefits partners. ️
Fully Subsidised Healthcare and Dental Plans.
Free Travel Insurance for yourself and your family. ️
A personalized football shirt upon passing probation.

What is it like to work here?

We approach everything with passion, whether that is making our mark on the gaming and football industries or doing our bit for the world around us. We want to share that outlook with everyone who shows up to work here each day.

For us, talent wins games, but teamwork wins titles. Collaboration is the key to constantly topping our best. We believe everyone matters, no matter which part of the business you are in, so we encourage and support our people in driving your own growth and realising your full potential. But, more than anything else, we are a team. A team with a down-to-earth dynamic, that has a lot of fun doing what we do.

And whether that’s technical tweaks or fine-tuning our creative process, everything is geared at producing the best game possible for our players. To do that, we need to be tenacious and move quickly, and not be afraid of switching things up. It is these principles that have enabled us to produce a game that has defined year after year, and that will continue to push us for many more to come.

Our flexible working culture gives you the opportunity to optimise your workload, with in-office, hybrid, and remote working options dependent on role. So, if you want a work/life balance, we are behind you. Because while we live to create extraordinary games, we know that is not all you have got going on. You can trust that we always keep things in perspective, fostering an environment where work can be more than just a job.

We’re also a London Living Wage employer, boast one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the industry and are proud to have won the ‘Best Places to Work’ award by Gamesindustry.biz in their Environmental category in 2022.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from any relevant candidate irrespective of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief.

SI is proudly a Disability Confident Committed employer, and we are dedicated to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. Our studio has disabled access and facilities but please ensure you advise us if you require any other reasonable adjustments to be made to support you during the recruitment process.

Our Values:

· Keep collaborating: We know that talent wins games, but teamwork wins titles. We encourage a level playing field, where no matter the department, title or niche, ideas belong to everyone. And because we have each other\’s backs, no-one needs to look over their shoulder. It\’s what brings us success, without the stuffiness.

· Be agile: The football world never stands still and neither does the entertainment industry. We have to stay ahead as the beautiful game changes and keeps innovating. We can\’t be afraid to switch things up. To pitch \’out-there\’ thinking and put ourselves out there. Think fast and adapt faster.

· Stay Tenacious: We don\’t overlook the details. Think dog. Think bone. Whether it\’s technical tweaks or fine-tuning our creative process, everything we do is about producing the best game possible. In other words, never settle. It took tenacious spirits to create a game that defined decade after decade. It\’ll take tenacious people to push us for decades to come.

· Show Ambition: We\’re not lone wolves, we know a pack mentality makes magic happen. But it doesn’t hurt to let your own drive lead the way. That energy is infectious… show up and share it with your team. Make the studio\’s purpose personal. Your individual outlook can give everyone the edge.

· Bring the Passion: Don\’t be fooled, what we do is not a game. We have the power to make our players\’ passion come to life and make their lives better. And with great power comes great… you guessed it. We take that responsibility seriously, even if we have fun doing it. We want people to love our games, so we need to feel the passion too.

· Consider the Bigger Picture: There\’s more at play than just selling games. We want our impact to be a positive one. From the flexibility that brings our team members a better work/life balance, to initiatives that make our studio kind to the planet whilst fighting against discrimination and trying to help make the world a better place, we keep things in perspective. And we give a damn about giving back. It makes our wins mean even more when we pay it forward.

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Senior Software Engineer (Graphics) employer: Hardlight

At Sports Interactive, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and creativity. Located in the innovative Here East technology hub in London, our team enjoys flexible working arrangements, comprehensive health benefits, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. With a commitment to inclusivity and a focus on employee well-being, we ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our shared passion for creating extraordinary gaming experiences.

Contact Detail:

Hardlight Recruiting Team

View Hardlight Profile

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer (Graphics)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest features and updates in Unity, especially around URP and SRP. Being able to discuss recent advancements or your own experiences with these technologies during an interview can really set you apart.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your passion for gaming and graphics by engaging with the Football Manager community. Participate in forums or social media discussions to demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge about the game, which can resonate well with the team.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees of Sports Interactive on platforms like LinkedIn. Having a connection within the company can provide you with insider insights and potentially a referral, which can significantly boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've implemented graphics features or optimised performance. Be ready to explain your thought process and the impact of your work, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer (Graphics)

C# Programming

Unity Game Engine

Graphics Rendering Techniques

Shader Development (HLSL, Shader Graph)

Performance Optimisation

3D Mathematics (Linear Algebra, Transformations)

Debugging Skills (RenderDoc, Unity Profiler, PIX, NSight)

Understanding of GPU Architectures

Real-time Lighting and Shadows

Physically Based Rendering (PBR)

Asset Pipeline Management

Collaboration with Artists and Engineers

Clean Code Architecture

Automated Testing Methodologies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with C#, Unity, and graphics programming. Focus on projects where you've implemented rendering features or optimised performance, as these are key responsibilities for the role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for gaming and how your skills align with Sports Interactive's goals. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to collaborate with artists and engineers, as teamwork is highly valued.

Showcase Relevant Projects: If you have a portfolio or GitHub repository, include links to projects that showcase your work with Unity and graphics programming. Highlight any games you've shipped and the specific contributions you made to their visual quality.

Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to graphics programming, such as shader optimisation and rendering techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of GPU architectures and be ready to discuss how you've solved rendering issues in past projects.

How to prepare for a job interview at Hardlight

✨Showcase Your Unity Expertise

Make sure to highlight your experience with Unity, especially in relation to rendering features and optimising shaders. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've implemented these skills, as this will demonstrate your hands-on knowledge.

✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills

Since the role involves working closely with both artists and engineers, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in past projects. This could include discussing how you resolved conflicts or integrated feedback from different team members.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to face technical questions related to graphics programming, such as GPU architectures and rendering techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of HLSL, Shader Graph, and performance optimisation tools like RenderDoc and Unity Profiler to impress your interviewers.

✨Express Your Passion for Gaming

Sports Interactive values passion for gaming, so be sure to convey your enthusiasm for the industry. Share your favourite games, what you love about them, and how that passion drives your work as a software engineer. This personal touch can set you apart from other candidates.

Senior Software Engineer (Graphics)

Full-Time

48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.)

Apply now

Application deadline: 2027-08-02
Hardlight

View Hardlight Profile

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