At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise network systems for an exciting multiplayer boxing game.
- Company: Join Steel City Interactive, a passionate team creating the first major boxing video game in over a decade.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, 23 days annual leave, and a dog-friendly office with free snacks.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive work environment await you.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team shaping the future of gaming with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in gameplay network programming and a passion for games is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Contract Manager: Providing Permanent & Contractor / Freelancer Recruitment Solutions to the Games Industry
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 Network Engineer, having worked on fast-paced multiplayer titles such as FPS games or similar genres within Unreal Engine, where you demonstrated expertise in optimizing network replication patterns at the transport layer to ensure seamless, low-latency gameplay for competitive environments.
We\'re looking for an Intermediate/Senior Gameplay Network Engineer to help shape the future of our multiplayer boxing game, ‘Undisputed’. As we pivot to UE5, you’ll be responsible for developing and optimizing network systems to ensure reliable, high-performance data transmission for fast-response gameplay between two players, maintaining AAA fidelity in a competitive multiplayer context.
You will be working in collaboration with a highly talented, diverse team to create world-class networked gameplay.
Location : Sheffield (Hybrid / Monthly visit) or Leamington Spa (Hybrid / Monthly visit)
Visa sponsorship / transfer isn\'t available on this occasion
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and maintain network systems for our game, focusing on Unreal Engine’s replication framework to ensure reliable and efficient data transmission for two-player boxing matches.
- Optimize network packet transportation at the transport layer, minimizing latency and bandwidth usage for critical gameplay elements like character movements, player-to-player interactions, and physics-based world interactions.
- Collaborate with gameplay and server teams to integrate networked systems with character physics and animation pipelines, ensuring synchronized states across clients.
- Implement and refine replication patterns, such as prioritized data, delta compression, and predictive systems, to support fast-paced, responsive multiplayer gameplay.
- Debug and resolve network-related issues, including desyncs, packet loss, and latency spikes, using profiling tools and network debugging techniques.
- Prototype new networked features, such as lag compensation or rollback to enhance the multiplayer experience.
- Optimize network performance for cross-platform play (consoles and PC), ensuring scalability and reliability under varying network conditions.
- Contribute to code reviews, best practices, and documentation for the networking and gameplay teams.
- Stay current with Unreal Engine networking updates and emerging multiplayer technologies.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in gameplay network programming, particularly for multiplayer titles like FPS or melee-combat focused games.
- Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine’s networking architecture, including replication, RPCs, and transport layer data optimization.
- Experience with C++ and Unreal Engine 4 or 5 networking pipelines and tools.
- Strong understanding of network protocols (e.g., UDP, TCP) and techniques for optimizing data sent over the wire in real-time games.
- Proven experience with network debugging, profiling, and performance optimization for low-latency gameplay.
- Strong understanding of 3D maths, data structures, and multiplayer synchronization 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 with rollback netcode is a bonus.
- Experience of Character AI Systems a bonus.
What we offer
- Healthy work-life balance: 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increases with service.
- Christmas shutdown
- Holiday exchange programme
- Flexible working hours & pattern (Certain Hybrid models available)
Benefits and support
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
- Private healthcare including optical & dental
- Dog-friendly studio in Sheffield with free snacks, fruit and drinks
- Free parking
- Company sick pay
- 2 days paid Mental Health leave per year
- Access to 24/7 doctors
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Technology scheme (up to £750)
- Discretionary Cost of Living Payments
- Relocation benefits (subject to eligibility)
- Electric Car Vehicle Scheme (subject to eligibility)
- Discretionary Bonus
Contact
CVs to - SCI Exclusive Recruiter
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Engineering and Information Technology
- Industries: Computer Games
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Network Programmer in England employer: Steel City Interactive
At SCI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration, particularly for our Remote Programmers. With flexible working options available in Sheffield or Leamington Spa, we offer a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact the development of 'Undisputed', the first major boxing video game in over a decade. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our generous leave policies, health benefits, and learning support, ensuring you thrive both personally and professionally while working with a passionate and diverse team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Network Programmer in England
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Steel City Interactive or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Steel City Interactive.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Steel City Interactive.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Steel City Interactive that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Network Programmer in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Steel City Interactive.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Steel City Interactive and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Steel City Interactive
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Steel City Interactive uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
