Senior AI Programmer (NPC Locomotion)

2 Days ago • 5 Years +

Job Summary

Job Description

The Senior AI Programmer (NPC Locomotion) will be responsible for implementing AI behaviors and developing the core AI framework. They will work closely with content teams to enhance gameplay systems, create new systems, and utilize existing ones to achieve AAA-quality gameplay. This role involves taking ownership of the motion planner system for AI characters (including crowds, critters, and wildlife), collaborating with animation, gameplay, and AI programmers, developing new AI characters with design and content teams, and providing mentorship to junior engineers.
Must have:
  • 5+ years of professional game AI engineering experience.
  • Implemented a game AI motion planner in a shipped AAA title.
  • Understanding of animation systems (blend trees, state machines, motion matching).
  • Understanding of navigation and pathfinding problems and solutions.
  • Understanding of game AI decision systems (behavior tree, goap, HSM).
  • Strong knowledge of C/C++ programming.
  • Strong 3D math background.
  • Ability to collaborate and thrive as part of a creative team.
  • Creativity in problem solving and a positive attitude.
  • Organization methods and the capability to meet deadlines.
  • Comfort with self-critique and accepting outside feedback.
  • A habit of regularly playing and understanding modern video games.
Good to have:
  • Familiarity of physics middleware (PhysX, Havok).
  • 1+ AAA shipped games
  • Experience with scripting languages
  • Enjoyment of playing a variety of video game genres and titles

Job Details

Job Title:

Senior AI Programmer (NPC Locomotion)

Requisition ID:

R024315

Job Description:

Position available in Warsaw, Poland or Malmö, Sweden (On-Site Hybrid).

Elsewhere Entertainment is looking for a Senior AI Programmer (NPC Locomotion) to join the development of a new IP.  

In this role, you will be responsible for driving and implementing AI behaviors, as well as developing core AI framework.

As a member of the Engineering department, you’ll work closely with content teams to push our gameplay systems to new heights of fun and visual fidelity, creating new systems and leverage existing ones to realize AAA-quality gameplay. 

You’ll help us by 

  • Taking ownership of the motion planner system for AI characters including crowds, critters, and wildlife. 

  • Collaborating with animation, gameplay and AI programmers in developing robust and scalable AI systems. 

  • Working alongside our design and content teams to develop new AI characters. 

  • Providing mentorship to, and helping grow, less experienced engineers. 

 

You’re awesome because you have 

  • 5+ years of professional game AI engineering experience. 

  • Implemented a game AI motion planner in a shipped AAA title. 

  • Understanding of animation systems (blend trees, state machines, motion matching). 

  • Understanding of navigation and pathfinding problems and solutions. 

  • Understanding of game AI decision systems (behavior tree, goap, HSM). 

  • Very strong knowledge of C/C++ programming including several advanced topics such as multi-threading, atomics, runtime optimizations and similar. 

  • Strong 3D math background. 

  • The ability to collaborate and thrive as part of a creative team. 

  • Creativity in problem solving and a positive, respectful team-first attitude. 

  • Organization methods and the capability to meet deadlines. 

  • Comfort with self-critique and accepting outside feedback. 

  • A habit of regularly playing and understanding modern video games. 

 

Bonus Points for... 

  • Familiarity of physics middleware (PhysX, Havok). 

  • 1+ AAA shipped games

  • Experience with scripting languages

  • Enjoyment of playing a variety of video game genres and titles   

Not sure you meet all the qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! At Activision, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply. 

Our World  

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™, and Guitar Hero®. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences. 

We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization.  

We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater — this could be your opportunity to level up.  

Ready to Activate Your Future? 

#elsewhere 

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About The Company

Founded in 1979, Activision continues to disrupt the world of entertainment with its extensive roster of epic blockbuster games -- Pitfall®, Tony Hawk®, Guitar Hero®, Crash Bandicoot™, Skylanders™, Bungie’s Destiny and Call of Duty.®


As the leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products on consoles, mobile and PC, our “press start” is simple: delight players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.


Activision is headquartered in Santa Monica, and publishes globally in markets including U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, mainland China, Hong Kong and the region of Taiwan.


At Activision, we strive to connect and engage our global player community through entertainment. Our success comes from the passionate, talented and diverse team of people behind our world-class franchises. Ensuring Activision is an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive will help us deliver a new era of epic entertainment for our players.

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