At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and maintain online features for an exciting boxing game, Undisputed.
- Company: Join Steel City Interactive, a passionate team creating the first major boxing video game in over a decade.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and creative setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team shaping the future of gaming with innovative online experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in Unreal Engine and C++, especially with multiplayer or live titles.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
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.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Online Programmer to help shape the future of our boxing game, Undisputed. As we continue development in UE5, you’ll be responsible for integrating and maintaining online feature flows such as authentication, progression, matchmaking, and social systems, leveraging our backend platform. You will contribute to these interconnected and service-driven systems across both the client and service layers, requiring careful handling of state and data flow to ensure consistency between them. You are an experienced engineer with a strong focus on integrating and operating player-facing online features, having worked on live or multiplayer titles within Unreal Engine using C++. You are comfortable working within established architectures, contributing by building, refining, and optimising online systems that connect the game client to platform and service layers. You will be working in collaboration with a highly talented, diverse team to create reliable, scalable online experiences, with a hands‑on focus on correctness, performance, and robustness under real-world conditions. This role can be based onsite at one of our 2 offices in Sheffield or Leamington Spa, hybrid or fully remote.
Responsibilities
- Design, build and maintain online feature flows including authentication, entitlements, progression, matchmaking, parties, and other service‑driven systems.
- Integrate the game client with Pragma backend services, ensuring reliable and predictable data flow between them.
- Contribute to the implementation of backend service logic to support game features, including defining behaviour and data models.
- Implement and maintain data‑driven systems aligned with backend service contracts and configuration.
- Define and maintain clear interfaces between client systems and backend services.
- Ensure consistent state across client and service boundaries, including handling reconnects, latency and partial failures.
- Identify, debug, and resolve issues across client‑service interactions, including asynchronous and data consistency issues.
- Optimise systems for network efficiency, responsiveness and minimal client performance impact.
- Take ownership of system quality, ensuring a stable and predictable online player experience.
- Collaborate with gameplay, UI, backend, QA and production to deliver cohesive features and clear technical outcomes.
Knowledge, Skills
Online Programmer employer: Steel City Interactive Ltd
Steel City Interactive is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive in the gaming industry. With a commitment to diversity and open communication, employees are encouraged to express their ideas and grow alongside experienced professionals in a dynamic environment. Located in vibrant Sheffield or Leamington Spa, SCI offers flexible working arrangements, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while contributing to the exciting development of the groundbreaking boxing game, Undisputed.
Contact Details:
Steel City Interactive Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Online Programmer
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with folks in the gaming industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job at Steel City Interactive!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your work with online features in Unreal Engine. Include any multiplayer projects you've worked on, especially if they involved C++. This will give us a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of online systems and data flow. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges in past projects, especially around latency and data consistency. We love hearing about real-world problem-solving!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Steel City Interactive. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something exciting!
We think you need these skills to ace Online Programmer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gaming:When writing your application, let your love for video games shine through! Share any personal projects or experiences that relate to gaming, especially if they involve online features or multiplayer systems. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating an authentic boxing game like 'Undisputed'.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Unreal Engine and online programming. Mention specific projects where you've integrated online features, as this will show us you’re the right fit for our team. Don’t forget to check out our website for tips on what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, especially when discussing technical aspects. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see how you can contribute to our team.
Highlight Team Collaboration:Since we value teamwork, mention any experiences where you’ve collaborated with diverse teams. Talk about how you’ve worked with others to solve problems or create features, as this aligns with our culture of open communication and shared knowledge. Remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Steel City Interactive Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Unreal Engine and C++. Be ready to discuss your previous experience with online features in games, especially any multiplayer titles you've worked on. This will show that you understand the technical requirements of the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Gaming
Steel City Interactive is all about passion for video games, especially boxing. Share your enthusiasm for gaming and how it drives your work. Maybe even mention your favourite boxing games or what excites you about 'Undisputed' to connect with the team.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions related to online systems, data flow, and client-service interactions. Practice explaining complex concepts in a simple way, as this will demonstrate your understanding and ability to communicate effectively with the diverse team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team's workflow, challenges they face, or future plans for 'Undisputed'. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
