Senior Tools Engineer – AI NPC Systems

1 Month ago • 5 Years + • Game Engine • $120,000 PA - $155,000 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

Snail Games is seeking a Senior Tools Engineer to lead the development of next-generation game development tools. This role involves technical leadership and hands-on development, guiding a small team to create innovative systems integrated across multiple game engines. Responsibilities include designing and implementing node-based visual workflows, editor interfaces, and intuitive map-based tools for assigning systems and behaviors to game objects. The engineer will work with a lead architect, present progress to leadership, plan milestones, and serve as an organizational layer between high-level architecture and day-to-day implementation.
Must have:
  • Proficiency in C++ for game/tools development
  • 5+ years in game/tools development
  • Experience leading small engineering teams
  • Background in Unity, Unreal, or proprietary engines
  • Ability to build user-facing tools
  • Experience with project planning
  • Comfort presenting technical progress
  • Proficiency with version control systems
  • Ability to execute within architecture
  • Comfort as an implementation lead
Good to have:
  • Integrate AI/ML systems
  • Node-based visual scripting experience
  • Familiarity with game object behavior systems
  • Rapid prototyping experience
  • Game world design tools experience
  • Experience growing projects
  • Knowledge of procedural generation
Perks:
  • Work/life balance
  • Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave
  • Medical, dental, vision, Life/LTD
  • 401k with company match

Job Details

Senior Tools Engineer – AI NPC Systems

Snail Games strives to create the new high bar for gameplay experience in online gaming. We have been a global developer and publisher of digital entertainment since 2009 and are committed to pushing the boundaries of the industry. We are currently seeking a Senior Tools Engineer to lead development of next-generation game development tools. This role combines technical leadership with hands-on development, perfect for someone who can guide a small team while actively contributing to innovative systems that will integrate across multiple game engines.

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Beverly Hills, CA 

Primarily remote; in-person presence required for select meetings or events.

Responsibilities

  • Lead a small team (3-4 people initially) in developing proprietary game development tools

  • Design and implement node-based visual workflows and editor interfaces

  • Create intuitive map-based tools for assigning systems and behaviors to game objects

  • Work directly with a veteran lead architect (20+ years, commercial engine development) to execute on established technical vision and architecture

  • Present development progress and milestones to leadership team

  • Plan and coordinate development milestones to enable focused execution by technical leadership

  • Serve as organizational layer between high-level architecture and day-to-day implementation

  • Prototype and iterate on user-facing development tools and workflows

Minimum Requirements

  • Strong proficiency in C++ and experience using it in game or tools development

  • 5+ years of professional experience in game development, tools development, or similar technical roles

  • Experience leading or technically guiding small engineering teams (2-4 people)

  • Strong background in multiple game engines (Unity, Unreal, or proprietary engines preferred)

  • Demonstrated ability to build user-facing tools and editor interfaces

  • Experience with project planning, milestone tracking, and technical roadmap execution

  • Comfortable presenting technical progress to non-technical stakeholders

  • Proficiency with version control systems and collaborative development workflows

  • Ability to execute within established technical architecture rather than drive architectural decisions

  • Comfortable working as implementation lead under senior technical direction

Nice to Have

  • Experience integrating AI/ML systems into game development workflows

  • Previous work on node-based visual scripting systems or workflow tools

  • Familiarity with game object behavior systems and content creation pipelines

  • Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative tool development

  • Background in game world design tools or level editor development

  • Experience growing with a project from prototype into multiple engine integrations

  • Knowledge of procedural content generation or data-driven game systems

Why Join the Snail Games USA Team?

  • True focus on work/life balance

  • Paid company holidays, vacation, and separate sick leave

  • We offer medical, dental, vision, and Life/LTD

  • 401k with company match

Salary Range: $120,000 to $155,000

If you're a highly capable full stack engineer ready to lead by doing, we’d love to hear from you.

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About The Company

Snail Games USA is the leading global developer and publisher of digital entertainment. We are seeking a highly organized...Snail, Inc. is the leading independent global developer and publisher of digital entertainment. Interactive Films is a dynamic and…Snail Games USA is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment across multiple platforms. We are…Snail Games strives to create the new high bar for gameplay experience in online gaming. We have been a global developer and publisher of digital entertainment…

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