Studio: Studio Elevation
Job Opening: Principal AI Programmer
Location: Remote within the UK
Type: Full-Time
Responsibilities:
- Take ownership of our AI systems, pipelines, and setups, delivering cutting-edge AI character behaviour in VR.
- Develop the perception, behaviour, and planning systems that underlie NPC and creature AI, integrating with Unreal 5 and custom code.
- Develop the controlling logic for NPC character behaviour, utilizing standard Unreal AI systems, your own code, and new UE5 AI tech like Mass Entity and State Trees.
- Ensure AI systems and data are robust, maintainable, and well documented, and the AI workload is consistently performant for a stable VR framerate.
- Work alongside other disciplines, planning AI alongside animation, gameplay, art, audio, and design requirements for the best player experience.
- Help guide the design teams when making combat areas and other AI-driven experiences.
- Help with project planning for your areas of work, liaising with project management for best outcomes and predictable, timely feature delivery.
- Self-develop your own knowledge of state-of-the-art AI techniques and the inner nuances of Unreal 5’s AI systems.
- Be a positive behavioural and mental role model for the team and studio.
- Help with staff development, departmental structure, mentoring, and hiring.
Qualifications & Skills:
- 5+ years of professional AI programming experience, with a minimum of one shipped title on a current-generation console, PC, VR headset, or mobile.
- A thorough knowledge of C++, including high-performance programming and good 3D maths skills.
- Thorough knowledge of underlying AI systems, including state machines, behaviour trees, perception/navigation systems, and animation/physics requirements.
- Experience delivering compelling AI combat with believable navigation, cover, tactical enemy squad coordination, and strategic high-level AI planning.
- Shipped game title(s) with believable and engaging AI behaviour using a modern game engine, delivering a balanced, enjoyable player experience.
- A passion for working with level design, animation, and other disciplines, clearly communicating AI needs and best practices, and enabling the creation of challenging and satisfying player experiences.
- Strong English communication skills with a focus on positive cross-disciplinary teamwork and an ability to communicate complex technical information to non-technical staff.
- A committed team player, recognizing the importance and value of people within a technology environment.
