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 & Benefits

• Work/life balance
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave
• Medical, dental, vision, Life/LTD
• 401k with company match

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.