Creature AI Programmer

This role involves designing and developing AI systems and features for creatures within an open-world environment, collaborating with the animation team to create custom scenarios and debug tools. The programmer will also interface with the wider programming team to ensure sustainable and optimized functionality. Essential skills include a strong understanding of animation, physics, AI, and gameplay programming, along with professional experience in AI development, tooling, and/or animation systems, C++, and Unreal Engine. Candidates should have experience releasing at least one AAA game and possess a collaborative spirit.

Must Have

• Design and develop new AI systems and features for creature setup, navigation, and interaction.
• Create custom scenarios in collaboration with the animation team.
• Develop debug tools to help animators.
• Engage with the wider programming team for sustainable, optimized, and stable functionality.
• Professional experience working with AI development, tooling, and/or animation systems.
• Deep technical experience and competence working with C++ and Unreal Engine.
• Developed and released at least 1 AAA game.
• Strong understanding of animation, physics, AI, and gameplay programming.

Good to Have

• Collaborative spirit and ability to solve problems as a team member.
• Confidence in taking charge of own schedule.

We are looking for an experienced creature AI Programmer who will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of creatures in our animation team. This position will create systems and features that enhance the work of our animators and will be a key interface with the wider programming team. You will deploy a variety of skills to bring these creatures to life and a strong understanding of animation, physics, AI and gameplay programming is essential.

What will I be doing?

• Designing and developing new AI systems and features to aid creature setup, navigation and interaction between creatures and an open world environment.
• Create custom scenarios in collaboration with the animation team
• Develop debug tools to help our animators when needed
• Engage with the wider programming team to ensure we develop sustainable, optimised and stable functionality.

What we would like to see

• Professional experience working with AI development, tooling and/or animation systems
• Deep technical experience and competence working with C++ and Unreal engine
• You have developed and released at least 1 AAA game
• You have a collaborative spirit and work to solve problems as a member of the wider production team

We are open minded about the technologies we deploy and always open to consider new options to solve emerging challenges.

Who we are

We are an independent game developer. We are the creators and publishers of LIMBO and INSIDE. Our current project is a 3rd person, open world, science fiction adventure built for multiple platforms on Unreal Engine, published by Epic Games Publishing.

Our legacy and ambition is to make games with an uncompromising attention to detail. Our approach to development is experimental, iterative and collaborative. We are particularly interested in friendly, talented people who feel confident taking charge of their own schedule.

We are currently more than 100 creative professionals and still looking to grow.

Learn more about us at www.playdead.com