Junior Programmer

Breath HR; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Income Protection and Life cover

Critical Illness

Online GP

Job summary

Secret Mode in Sheffield city centre is seeking a Junior Programmer to help implement new game systems and support content across our back catalogue, including titles like Escape the Backrooms. You will program in C++ and Blueprint, collaborate with designers and artists, and work across engines to ensure games run smoothly, with performance optimisations and quality-of-life improvements.

The role requires you to be in the studio four days a week with an optional work-from-home day on Fridays,

Qualifications

• Experience in programming through personal projects, coursework, internships, or professional work.
• Robust understanding of C++, including debugging and code optimisation.
• Experience with Unreal engine.
• Understanding of code architecture best practices.
• Willingness to experiment and iterate to improve work.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative approach to work and willingness to learn and take on responsibility.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while developing problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with colleagues to implement new features and systems from concept to execution.
• Collaborate on game logic, UI, audio, animation, scripting, tools and engine features.
• Help ensure code and systems are robust and performant across PC, Console, and Mobile.
• Adapt input systems and UI layouts when porting titles to new hardware.
• Produce clean and robust code following standards and automated testing processes.
• Assist with resolving platform-specific bugs and performance bottlenecks.

Skills

C++

Unreal Engine

Blueprint scripting

Code architecture

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Learning mindset

Job description

Secret Mode is building a talented new group of developers who want to be part of a close-knit, studio-based team in Sheffield city centre. They will support the development of Secret Mode's back catalogue, which includes acclaimed titles like Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together. Initially, the role will focus on Unreal Engine, but the team will need to adapt to the engines used by each product.

About the role

We are looking to recruit a Junior Programmer to help implement new game systems and support the expansion of content in our games. Working alongside experienced programmers, you will program in C++ and Blueprint to help us craft the high-calibre games our fans have come to expect.

As a Junior Programmer, you will play an important part in our team, helping to bring new features and improvements to our players, from new content and systems to the performance and quality-of-life updates our community values most. You will work across a diverse range of titles and engines, helping to ensure that our games run smoothly, perform well, and are technically optimised across all platforms.

You will collaborate closely with designers, artists, and fellow programmers throughout the studio, receiving mentorship and guidance as you build your technical skills and understanding of how our games are put together. We are looking for someone who thrives on solving challenging technical problems and wants to grow their career within a supportive, close-knit studio.

You will be joining products with an established and passionate player base, so this role suits someone who is excited to build on what already exists rather than start from a blank page. You will care about our community's expectations and take pride in evolving titles that players already love.

Role overview – key responsibilities

• Work closely with colleagues across the studio to help implement new features and systems. You will support designs from concept to execution, ensuring they are robust, well-tested, and bug-free
• Work on all aspects of systems of the game: game logic, UI, audio, animation, scripting, tools and engine features.
• Help ensure our code and systems remain consistent and performant across PC, Console, and Mobile. You will assist with adapting input systems, UI layouts, and other technical requirements as titles are ported to new hardware
• Produce clean and robust code, following all standards and guidelines, including the use of automated testing processes
• Help resolve platform-specific bugs and performance bottlenecks to ensure a frictionless launch on new hardware
• Help scope features and contribute ideas on the best ways to implement them

Skills and experience you need

• Significant experience of programming, through personal projects, university coursework, internships, or professional work
• A robust understanding of C++, including debugging and code optimisation
• Experience of working with Unreal
• A working understanding of code architecture best practices
• A willingness to experiment and iterate to improve your work
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Passion for making and playing great games
• A collaborative approach to work, with a willingness to learn and take on responsibility
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, while developing your own problem-solving skills

Skills and experience it would be great to have

• An understanding of network replication in Unreal
• Some exposure to working on current-generation consoles
• Familiarity with building data-driven and scalable game features
• Awareness of TDD and ECS

This role requires you to be in our Sheffield studio for four days a week, with an optional work-from-home day on Fridays. It may also involve occasional travel to events.

Please note that this role is only open to applicants who have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship or consider applications from outside the UK.

Flexitime working hours

Benefits platform with company-funded allowance, which includes:

• Income Protection and Life cover
• Critical Illness
• Online GP