Lead Engineer, AI

Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Engineer, AI to join our dynamic team. As the Lead AI Engineer, you will be responsible for overseeing the design, development, and optimization of game artificial intelligence systems- from NPC behavior and navigation to combat tactics and ambient life. You will guide a team of engineers in close collaboration with design, animation, and gameplay teams to deliver intelligent, immersive, and believable game experiences and characters.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and implementation of reactive AI systems, including pathfinding, state trees, decision-making systems, sensory perception, group coordination models, and large scale NPC behavior models in an open world environment.
• Collaborate closely with game designers and content creators to define the needs and constraints for AI systems.
• Architect and maintain scalable, reusable AI code systems that support a wide range of NPC behaviors and game scenarios, and a team of AI implementers.
• Create and maintain thorough documentation for AI systems and architecture.
• Guide and mentor a team of AI engineers; provide code reviews, technical feedback, and career development support.
• Ensure performance and memory efficiency across multiple platforms, using profiling tools and optimization techniques.
• Work with QA and production to identify, debug, and resolve AI-related issues throughout development.
• Stay current on AI trends in game development and other industries to bring innovative ideas and techniques to the project.

Core Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in game development, with significant focus on AI programming.
• Shipped at least one AAA title in a senior or lead AI engineering role.
• Expertise in C++ and strong knowledge of modern software engineering practices.
• Deep understanding of AI techniques including state machines, behavior trees, utility systems, navigation, and spatial reasoning.
• Strong debugging, profiling, and optimization skills.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Plus If...

• Experience developing AI systems in Unreal Engine (UE4 or UE5), including familiarity with EQS, Blackboard, and Behavior Trees.
• Background in machine learning, procedural content generation, or large-scale crowd simulations.
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as Python or Lua.
• Passion for systemic design and emergent gameplay.
• Interest in creating AI that supports narrative, ambient, and sandbox-driven game worlds.

Description

• Full-time job with benefits.
• Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.
• Office is located near downtown Santa Monica – near metro and freeways.

The base pay range for this position is $170,000 to $210,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.