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 Lead Games Designer would lead a team of designers and be accountable for delivery, team performance, and team culture. The role would ensure that designers have clarity in their work, are supported in their development, and are aligned to the overall gameplay vision and product goals.
This role combines hands-on design leadership with people management responsibilities, translating strategic direction into actionable outcomes for the team:
Line management responsibility for a team of designers within a defined area
Accountability for delivery and quality of gameplay systems and features
Responsibility for balancing delivery priorities with team development and wellbeing
Contribution to studio-wide design standards, frameworks, and ways of working
Define and support the gameplay vision across systems, mechanics, and features
Ensure alignment with player experience goals, including engagement, progression, and retention
Use player data, research, and testing insights to inform design direction
Translate product and creative direction into clear, actionable design outputs
Oversee the quality and consistency of design documentation and communication
Support the delivery of gameplay systems that meet quality and player experience expectations
Support approaches to prototyping, testing, and iterative design
Help ensure systems are refined based on feedback, telemetry, and playtesting
Identify and help mitigate design risks
Work closely with engineering, art, UX, production, and product teams
Support coordination across features and systems
Help resolve dependencies and delivery challenges
Line manage designers, including:
o Performance management
o Development and progression
o Regular feedback and support
Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and psychologically safe team environment
Support capability growth across the design team
Support consistent design standards and best practices
Encourage continuous improvement and learning
Contribute to improving team processes and workflows
Strong experience in game design, particularly systems or feature design
Experience mentoring others or readiness to take on people management responsibilities
Ability to balance delivery with team leadership responsibilities
Strong collaboration and communication skills
Would operate with autonomy over team-level priorities and delivery
Would make decisions relating to work allocation, team performance, and design execution
Would escalate higher-risk or strategic issues where appropriate
· Unreal Engine 5 knowledge and Experience.
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.
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.
Based in Sheffield, UK Steel City Interactive (SCI) we're an ambitious indie developer working on our first title, ‘Undisputed’ – a ground-breaking, authentic boxing game. Releasing on consoles and PC Steam on October 11th, 2024.
Our dynamic team, that’s already punching well above its weight, aims to make ‘Undisputed’ the most authentic boxing game to date. We’ve signed an electrifying roster of former and current champions – men and women – including Muhammad Ali, Tyson Fury, Canelo Alvarez, Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields as well as governing bodies, referees and others across the boxing world.
We’re a growing team that offers a creative environment where everyone has a voice.
