Senior AI Game Designer

Role Description

We are looking for a Senior AI Game Designer with experience crafting systemic NPCs for combat and experiential moments. This role is ideal for someone who has worked on narrative or survival-horror titles as well as action/adventure games. You will own designing and implementing AI that will be used in systemic combat encounters as well as narratively driven sequences. You will be collaborating with technical animators and engineers regularly to ensure that your creations can be used as intended in the game. This is a highly hands-on role that blends documentation, technical implementation in Unreal, and collaboration with other disciplines. This role reports to the lead designer and you will frequently be collaborating with the game director and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of AI including documenting, implementing and balancing
• Create behavior graphs for different types of AI
• Work with animators and tech anim to create compelling movement and behavior for your creations
• Collaborate with AI engineers on enemy behavior and perception systems
• Prototype behavior in blueprint as needed
• Create and maintain design documentation on confluence
• Break features into actionable Jira tasks and partner with Production on scope and estimates
• Proactively seek feedback from the team and iterate on features
• Work closely with the level design team to help them integrate AI properly

Qualifications

• 5+ years professional game design experience with at least one shipped title having worked on systemic AI directly
• Direct experience designing behavior graphs
• Knowledge of Unreal Engine or equivalent visual scripting language
• Ability to rapidly prototype and iterate on mechanics
• Experience documenting designs clearly and collaborating through Jira/Confluence
• Proven ability to own features from concept through ship
• Excellent cross-discipline communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a horror title
• Programming understanding
• A flair for spectacle and cinematic experiences
• Experience with console or PC premium titles

What Success Looks Like

• You are autonomously driving AI creation by interacting with animators and engineers to move things forward
• The systemic AI do not break immersion and add to the atmosphere
• Players describe the encounters as interesting, clever and challenging
• You set clear goals for yourself and present frequent updates where you update on where things are and where things are going in a way that builds confidence

Salary Range

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Final compensation within the applicable salary range will be determined based on factors such as the applicant’s experience, qualifications, and work location.

• San Francisco, CA; New York City, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; Boston, MA; & DC Metropolitan Areas: $155,000–$177,000 USD annually
• Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; & Miami, FL Metropolitan Areas: $147,000-163,000 USD annually
• All Other U.S. Locations: $135,000–$150,000 USD annually

Benefits

• Profit sharing
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) matching
• FSA/HSA
• Paid time off
• Sick time
• Holidays
• Parental leave