At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UI engineering for Football Manager, ensuring high-quality user experiences.
- Company: Join Sports Interactive, the creators of Football Manager, in a dynamic tech hub.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, gym memberships, and free games from SEGA.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with a vibrant studio culture and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact on a beloved game while mentoring fellow engineers.
- Qualifications: Experience in Unity and C#, with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Studio Overview
We are Sports Interactive, the studio behind Football Manager. Founded in 1994, Sports Interactive 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.
Working Model: Hybrid 2‑3 days per week in Studio | Remote by exception
Location: Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E15 2GW
Position Overview
We are seeking a Lead Software Engineer (UI) to provide technical leadership for the UI engineering discipline on Football Manager. This role is responsible for the technical direction, quality, and delivery of UI systems, tooling, and workflows, working closely with production, design, QA, gameplay, and core technology teams. This is a working lead role: you will combine hands‑on engineering with mentoring, technical decision‑making, and day‑to‑day leadership of UI engineers. While you will guide and support other engineers, this role does not focus on studio‑wide architecture ownership.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership for UI engineering, ensuring high‑quality, maintainable, and performant UI systems across all supported platforms.
- Own and evolve UI‑related systems, tools, and workflows within Unity, improving iteration speed, reliability, and developer experience.
- Collaborate closely with UI design, production, gameplay, core tech, and QA to deliver cohesive, end‑to‑end user experiences.
- Lead by example through hands‑on development, code reviews, and adherence to engineering best practices.
- Mentor and support UI engineers at varying levels, helping to grow technical capability and promote good engineering habits.
- Contribute to planning and prioritisation with production, ensuring UI technical work is well understood, scoped, and delivered on time.
- Identify technical risks and opportunities within the UI domain and proactively propose solutions.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and knowledge‑sharing within the UI engineering team.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Significant professional experience developing complex UI systems in Unity using C#.
- Strong understanding of UI architecture, data binding, performance considerations, and cross‑platform delivery.
- Proven experience providing technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to other engineers.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.
- Experience shipping and supporting large, long‑lived codebases.
- Experience developing or maintaining internal UI tooling.
- Familiarity with accessibility considerations and usability best practices.
- Experience working on live or frequently updated products.
Benefits of Working at Sports Interactive
- Private Healthcare and Dental Plans.
- A range of Gym Membership options through our Benefits partners.
- Travel Insurance for yourself and your family.
- Subsidised mental health, therapy, and coaching sessions are available.
- Access to our on‑site physical and massage therapist services.
- Free access to games released under the SEGA Europe umbrella.
- Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 7% of annual salary).
- Regular events in collaboration with our partnered football clubs.
- Free onsite evening bar in our London HQ.
- A well‑stocked breakfast bar with cereals, fruits, teas, and coffees.
- Multiple clubs and societies to join e.g., book club and art workshops.
- Your club’s shirt personalised upon passing probation.
- Trophies & gift cards for length of service milestones.
- Cupcakes delivered 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.
Lead Software Engineer - UI employer: Sports Interactive
At Sports Interactive, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration in the heart of East London. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while our commitment to employee growth is evident through mentoring opportunities and access to professional development resources. With a range of benefits including private healthcare, subsidised mental health support, and regular team events, we ensure our employees feel valued and engaged as they contribute to the success of Football Manager.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer - UI
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Sports Interactive on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you have a portfolio or GitHub with projects related to UI engineering in Unity, make sure to highlight that. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on common technical questions and scenarios related to UI systems. We recommend practicing coding challenges and discussing your past experiences leading teams and projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Sports Interactive.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer - UI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with UI systems in Unity and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Projects:Include links to your previous work or projects that showcase your UI engineering skills. If you've worked on live products or have examples of your code, share them! This gives us a better idea of your capabilities.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at Sports Interactive!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sports Interactive
✨Know Your UI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UI systems in Unity, especially using C#. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled performance issues or cross-platform delivery challenges.
✨Show Off Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and leading a team, think of examples where you've successfully guided other engineers. Prepare to share how you approach technical decision-making and foster good engineering habits.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This position requires close collaboration with various teams. Be prepared to talk about how you've worked with design, production, and QA in the past. Highlight any experiences where you delivered cohesive user experiences through teamwork.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about their current UI challenges, team dynamics, and how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
