Senior Character Physics Programmer

Steel City Interactive Limited; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading video game studio in Sheffield seeks a Senior Character Physics Programmer to develop new character physics features. This role involves working with a talented team to create realistic gameplay experiences using Unreal Engine. Candidates should have robust experience in character physics and an eye for realistic motion. The company offers flexible working hours, a dog-friendly office, and various other benefits.

Benefits

23 days annual leave

Flexible working hours

Private Healthcare

Free snacks and drinks

Company sick pay

Qualifications

• Proven experience in character physics programming.
• Deep knowledge of technologies in AAA game animation.
• Strong understanding of character movement dynamics.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain character physics systems using UE's Chaos Physics engine.
• Integrate physics with animation systems.
• Optimize physics frames for precise simulations.
• Collaborate on animation pipelines.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to physics-animation interactions.

Skills

C++

Unreal Engine tools

Character physics programming

Realistic motion understanding

Engine-level debugging

3D maths

Software architecture knowledge

Communication skills

Self-driven attitude

Character AI Systems

Job description

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 a highly experienced Character Physics Programmer, having worked on AAA titles within Unreal Engine, where you showcased your skills in perfecting physics-driven character animations and seamless integration with animation pipelines to deliver immersive, realistic gameplay experiences.

We’re looking for a Senior Character Physics Programmer to help shape the future of our game. At the start as we pivot to UE5 you’ll be responsible for the development of new character physics features for our game, optimising and maintaining the physical simulation and animation integration 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.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain our character physics systems using UE's Chaos Physics engine, including rigid-body dynamics, high fidelity impact collisions, and ragdoll effects tailored to realistic human characters.
• Integrate physics with animation systems, utilizing animation montages, blend shapes and IK solvers.
• Optimize fixed-/sub-step physics frames for precise simulations, and procedural animations to achieve lifelike character responses (e.g. punches, dodges, and falls in a 60fps multiplayer boxing match context).
• Collaborate on animation pipelines, incorporating tools like Motion Matching for fluid animation blending, Control Rig for real-time rigging, MetaHuman for high-fidelity character models, and customizing ML Deformers for advanced muscle and skin deformations.
• Optimize general physics and animation performance through LODding and multi-threading or asynchronous strategies, debugging concurrency issues, and ensuring smooth integration & performance across consoles and PC.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to physics-animation interactions, such as joint deformations, corrective expressions, and foot-sliding.
• Prototype new features for character interactions, like soft body impacts and multiplayer synchronization of character physics states.
• Contribute to code reviews, best practices, and documentation for the physics and animation teams.
• Stay current with Unreal Engine updates and emerging technologies in character simulation, and the Chaos Physics engine.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Proven Experience in character physics programming.
• Deep knowledge of key technologies used in character physics and animation for AAA games, such as C++ and Unreal Engine tools.
• Experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5 physics and animation pipelines.
• An eye for realistic motion - the ability to discuss with animators and gameplay designers what works dynamically and how to make it fit within our game.
• Proven experience with engine-level debugging and performance optimisation.
• Strong understanding of character movement dynamics, 3D maths and data structures.
• 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 of Character AI Systems a bonus.

What we offer

Healthy work-life balance:

• 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), that increases 1 day per year of service.
• Christmas shut down
• Holiday exchange programme
• Flexible working hours & pattern (Certain Hybrid models available)

Support for family life:

• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• Private Healthcare which includes Optical & Dental

Great office environment:

• A dog friendly studio based in Sheffield, with free snacks, fruit and drinks!
• Free parking

Health & wellbeing support:

• Company sick pay
• 2 days paid Mental Health leave per year
• Access to 24/7 doctors
• Employee Assistance Programme

Learning support:

• Learning days

Additional financial support:

• Technology scheme (up to £750)
• Discretionary Cost of Living Payments
• 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.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

Please be aware that all applications for roles submitted through our website will be managed by our external recruitment partner, Amiqus. While they will handle the processing and management of your application, your data will remain securely stored within our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal information. By submitting your CV through our website, you give your permission for your application to be managed by Amiqus and to be contacted by them on SCI’s behalf.