About Sumo Digital, Sheffield
Founded in 2003, Sumo Sheffield was the first of the Sumo Digital studios. Firmly established as the premium development partner of leading publishers, we are trusted to deliver high quality games associated with some of the most iconic and valued properties in the industry. We are also generating innovative new IP! With a highly skilled body of almost 300 developers we work across all platforms, on a selection of AAA games covering multiple genres including Sports, FPS, and platform adventure.
Day in the Life of a Server Programmer at Sumo Digital:
We are seeking an Online Services Programmer to join our team on an exciting new multiplayer arcade/sports title. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping cutting-edge multiplayer experiences. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and implementing online services and server-powered gameplay features using proprietary domain-specific server technologies.
You will collaborate closely with both tech and design teams, clearly explaining the challenges and opportunities that online services present in order to help build secure, robust, and engaging experiences. You will report to and be supported by the Lead Programmer on the Development Team throughout the process.
As an Online Services Programmer, you will work with Code Leadership to plan, estimate, and develop high-quality, reliable services. You’ll coordinate with the publisher to define requirements, investigate their technologies, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. By leveraging a variety of proprietary server technologies, you will create innovative solutions and write detailed technical proposals, addressing potential challenges and alternative approaches. You will also work alongside designers and gameplay programmers to design and implement server-powered gameplay features, while liaising with external developers to solve complex issues affecting multiple titles. Additionally, you will document your work, including new processes and APIs, and contribute to code reviews, promoting best practices and maintaining high code quality.
What you need to do this job:
A solid understanding of how online services are architected, built, and deployed, including frontend, backend, and DevOps.
Experience in developing and consuming online REST APIs.
Knowledge of database systems, including scalability and data integrity concerns.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
Knowledge of C++ and Go.
What’s in it for you?
Sumo offers a highly personable benefits package which has something for everyone, no matter where you are in your career.
Financial: Annual bonus, flexible benefits allowance (to purchase add-on benefits marked*), salary sacrifice pension, employee referral scheme (up to £1,000), financial/home buying consultations, workplace ISA and other schemes for tech loans, cars, bicycles and much more!
Work-life balance: Flexible working, 21 free choice days holiday, bank holidays, birthday off, a duvet day raising to 4 with service, Christmas shutdown (Christmas Eve to New Year), options to buy or sell +5/-5 days annual leave*.
Health and Wellbeing: Dental insurance, income protection, life assurance, BUPA private healthcare*, leading EAP programs (Remote GP, Mental Health and Physio appointments), critical illness cover*, health cash plan* and funded flu vaccines/eye tests.
Personal Development: Structured Personal Development tool, regular appraisals, annual salary reviews, access to Udemy learning platform, 5 learning days per annum (1 can be used as a volunteer day), award-winning L&D team and yearly attendance to the Sumo Developers Conference (link to video).
Extra Perks: A variety of in-studio perks, regular care packages, regular studio days out (family welcome), studio-led social activities (game jams, yoga, life drawing and more), sabbaticals (at 10 years service) and an annual gaming subscription.
*These benefits are part of our flexible benefits options and are opt-in selections.
Inclusion and Belonging at Sumo Digital:
We are dedicated to growing a sustainable business that provides security to our people while delivering a first-class experience to our partners and players.
As a people business, the success of our people is the success of our company. We prioritise taking care of them with a focus on supporting them, nurturing their talent and providing a healthy, friendly, enriching, creative and safe environment in which to work.
Sumo's employee diversity group, PRISM, exists to promote diversity, inclusion, equity, equality & wellbeing across the company and plays a key role in Sumo's ongoing goal of fostering environments where all employees feel safe, welcome & represented.
Our charitable and community initiatives provide support for meaningful causes that matter to our employees, clients and partners.
We continue to work to improve diversity in our recruitment and promotion processes, and to actively encourage people from marginalised groups to consider a career in the games industry.