At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to enhance the visual quality of Football Manager using cutting-edge rendering systems.
- Company: Be part of Sports Interactive, the studio behind the iconic Football Manager game.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, flexible gym options, and free access to SEGA games.
- Other info: Join a vibrant culture with clubs, events, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in gaming while working with passionate professionals in a hybrid environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in graphics engineering with strong Unity and C# skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Studio Overview
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.
Working Model: Hybrid (2/3 days per week)
Location: Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E15 2GW
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
- Design, implement, and maintain cutting‑edge rendering systems in Unity related to environments, characters as well as lighting and the post‑processing stack.
- Develop and optimise shaders and rendering code in Unity for multiple platforms.
- Profile and optimise 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.
Essential: Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- 10+ years professional C# (and/or C++) graphics‑engineering experience, with multiple shipped titles on at least two of: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, iOS.
- Solid understanding of GPU architectures, rendering techniques, and graphics performance optimisation.
- Deep understanding of 3D math, including linear algebra and transformations.
- Strong knowledge of Unity’s SRP architecture, including implementation of bespoke Render Features.
- Deep experience writing optimised HLSL shaders for multiple platforms.
- Experience with analysis tools like Unity’s Profile Analyzer and Memory Profiler as well as RenderDoc, PIX, or NSight.
- 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.
- Demonstrated ability to drive technical decisions, produce design RFCs, and persuade stakeholders through clear written and verbal communication.
- Excellent mentorship and technical leadership skills; comfortable guiding other senior engineers.
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
- Private Healthcare and Dental Cover.
- Contributory Pension Scheme (employer contributions up to 7% of annual salary).
- Eligibility to participate in the company’s discretionary bonus scheme.
- Access to life assurance and income protection Cover.
- Access to Travel Insurance for yourself and your family.
- Confidential mental health, therapy and coaching support with subsidised access.
- Flexible gym and fitness options via our benefits platform.
- Access to on‑site physiotherapy and massage services.
- Free onsite evening bar in the Sports Interactive London HQ.
- A well‑stocked breakfast bar with cereals, fruit, tea and coffee.
- Free access to games released under the SEGA Europe umbrella.
- Regular events and experiences in collaboration with our partner football clubs.
- Multiple clubs and societies to join (including book club, art workshops and more).
- Personalised football shirt upon passing probation.
- Trophies & gift cards for length of service milestones.
- Cupcakes sent to you on your birthday.
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.
Advanced Software Engineer employer: SEGA Europe
At Sports Interactive, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and innovation. Located in the dynamic Here East technology hub in Stratford, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while providing access to exceptional benefits such as private healthcare, a contributory pension scheme, and unique perks like free games and regular team events. We are committed to employee growth, offering mentorship opportunities and a supportive environment where your passion for gaming can thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the gaming industry, especially those at Sports Interactive. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best work in Unity and graphics engineering. Make it easy for us to see what you can do and how you can contribute to Football Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview! Brush up on your knowledge of GPU architectures and rendering techniques. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through when discussing your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Advanced Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Unity and graphics programming, and don’t forget to mention any shipped titles you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match our needs!
Show Off Your Projects:Include links to your portfolio or any relevant projects that showcase your graphics engineering skills. If you’ve developed shaders or rendering systems, let us see them! This is your chance to impress us with your work.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for gaming and graphics engineering. Share why you’re excited about joining Sports Interactive and how you can contribute to Football Manager’s visual quality. We love seeing genuine enthusiasm!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Sports Interactive. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at SEGA Europe
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Unity and graphics programming. Be ready to discuss your experience with rendering systems, shaders, and performance optimisation. Prepare examples from your past work that showcase your skills in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be prepared to tackle some technical challenges or case studies. Think about how you would debug rendering issues or optimise performance. This is your chance to demonstrate your analytical thinking and how you approach complex problems.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since this role involves working closely with artists and other engineers, highlight your teamwork experience. Share stories about how you've successfully collaborated on projects, especially in a game development context. Communication is key, so show that you can articulate your ideas clearly.
✨Be Passionate About Gaming
Let your enthusiasm for gaming shine through! Talk about your favourite games, what you love about them, and how they inspire your work. Showing genuine passion for the industry will resonate well with the interviewers at Sports Interactive.
