Gameplay AI Programmer in Sheffield

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

You are an experienced Gameplay AI Programmer, having worked on AAA titles within Unreal Engine, where you showcased your skills in NPC controls. We’re looking for a Specialist Gameplay AI Programmer to help shape the future of our game. You’ll be responsible for the development of the character AI for our game, optimising and maintaining the AI systems of our product to AAA fidelity. You will be working in collaboration with a highly talented, diverse team to create world-class character-based gameplay. This role can be based onsite at one of our 2 offices in Sheffield or Leamington Spa, hybrid or fully remote.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain our AI systems using UE's native tools (State Trees, Blackboards, Perception systems) as appropriate, and extending them when needed.
• Create believable boxing opponents with advanced decision-making for attack, defence, ring movement, stamina management, and adaptive strategies.
• Integrate AI systems with the existing controls of the game to provide a balanced, responsive, and controlled challenge.
• Collaborate with designers to define, implement, and refine AI designs into manageable tools and reliable outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Gameplay, Tools, and Networking teams to ensure seamless integration with animation, physics, networking, and replay functionalities.
• Optimize and balance AI systems to deliver reactive, efficient, and fair opponents across difficulty levels and game modes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to AI systems.
• Prototype new design ideas with the design team to prove the value of possible updates.
• Contribute to code reviews, best practices, and documentation for the combat / gameplay teams.
• Stay current with Unreal Engine updates and emerging technologies in Character / AI Control (e.g. Behaviour & State Trees/Mover 2.0 / Motion Matching).

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in AI programming for games.
• Experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5 AI systems (Behaviour/State Trees, Perception strongly preferred).
• Strong understanding of UE Replication patterns (Server/Client AND Peer-to-Peer) desired.
• An eye for realistic opponent behaviour – the ability to discuss with designers and animators what makes a fight feel authentic.
• Strong understanding of the underlying (UE) engine structures and techniques.
• Solid understanding of software architecture and engineering best practices.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Self-driven with a proactive mindset and attention to detail.
• A genuine passion for games and game development.
• Experience in combat, fighting, or sports titles is a big bonus.
• Familiarity with multiplayer AI considerations (e.g. determinism for rollback/match replays) is a bonus.

What we offer

• Healthy work-life balance: 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), that increases 1 day per year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days.
• Christmas shut down.
• Holiday exchange programme.
• Flexible working hours & pattern (Certain Hybrid models available).
• Support for family life: Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay (subject to eligibility requirements).
• Private Healthcare which includes Optical & Dental.
• Great office environment: Friendly studios based in Sheffield and Leamington, with free snacks, fruit and drinks! Free parking - At our Sheffield site.
• Health & wellbeing support: Company sick pay, 2 days Wellbeing Days leave per year, Access to 24/7 doctors, Employee Assistance Programme.
• Learning support: Learning days.
• Additional financial support: Technology scheme (salary sacrifice up to £750), Relocation benefits (subject to eligibility requirements), Electric Car Vehicle Scheme (subject to eligibility requirements), Discretionary Bonus.
• Connection and perks: Wrap parties & company paid outings, Individual entertainment budget to cover team events.

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.