Senior Gameplay Network Programmer

Steel City Interactive Limited; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading game development studio in the UK is searching for an Intermediate/Senior Gameplay Network Engineer. The role involves designing and maintaining network systems for a fast-paced multiplayer boxing game, ensuring reliable data transmission and optimizing performance. Candidates should have strong experience in network programming and a passion for gaming. This position offers a healthy work-life balance, flexible working hours, and benefits like private healthcare.

Benefits

23 days annual leave

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

Private Healthcare

Flexible working hours

Dog friendly office

Discretionary Bonus

Qualifications

• Proven experience in gameplay network programming for multiplayer titles.
• Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine's networking architecture.
• Strong understanding of network protocols and data optimization.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain network systems for multiplayer boxing matches.
• Optimize network packet transportation for critical gameplay elements.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure synchronized states across clients.

Skills

Gameplay network programming

Unreal Engine networking architecture

Network protocols (UDP, TCP)

3D maths

Network debugging

Tools

Unreal Engine 4 or 5

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 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.

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 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), 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.