Expert Gameplay Programmer - AI

Cdprojektred; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 180,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Mental health support

Vacation days

RRSP match

LSA allowance

Flexible hours

Dog-friendly office

No dress-code

Stock option program

Job summary

CD PROJEKT RED is seeking an Expert Gameplay Programmer - AI to join Cyberpunk 2. You will architect low-level systems for spawning and AI, and mentor peers while integrating bespoke content into a systemic open world.

You should have 7+ years in games, strong C++ with Unreal Engine, and experience in procedural content, AI, and performance optimization for current-gen platforms. Hybrid/in-office or full remote work options are available.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional programming in games.
• Strong C++ and Unreal Engine proficiency.
• Experience in procedural generation and systemic gameplay.
• Experience with current-gen consoles and AI systems in games.
• Understanding of geometric algorithms and data structures.
• Experience writing multi-threaded systems and profiling/optimizing code.
• Creative, strategic thinker with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with designers to enable open world population.
• Build and maintain systems for spawning, AI, and systemic gameplay.
• Monitor performance and memory, optimize as needed.
• Mentor team members, review code and proposals.
• Develop debugging and designer tools for non-deterministic gameplay.
• Write high-quality, bug-free code aligned with project goals.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration across game systems.

Skills

C++

Unreal Engine

Procedural Gen

Systemic Gameplay

AI in Games

Geometric Algorithms

Multithreading

Profiling & Optimizing

Creative Thinking

Communication

Tools

Mass AI in Unreal 5

ECS

Mass Framework

Job description

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for an Expert Gameplay Programmer - AI to join our team to work on Cyberpunk 2, the follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077. In this role, you will help the team develop believable worlds by architecting systems and features to help our designers create and populate the open world. The main task in this role is to seamlessly integrate bespoke content with a systemic open world, implementing the low level systems that drive spawning and behavioral AI, while providing technical mentorship to team members working in related areas.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with designers and other developers to understand their needs and ensure they have the ability to efficiently populate the open world.
• Build and maintain major systems used to bring the open world to life, covering areas such as spawning, AI, and systemic gameplay.
• Monitor performance and memory usage in the open world, making optimizations as needed and developing strategies for other team members to make improvements.
• Oversee the technical efforts of other developers through code reviews, mentoring, and reviewing technical proposals.
• Develop debug tools, and designer tools needed for non-deterministic systemic gameplay.
• Write high-quality code that is optimised, bug-free, and aligned with project goals.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to ensure the tools contribute effectively to all game systems and components.

At least 7+ years of professional experience as a programmer within the games industry

• Strong proficiency in C++ programming and knowledge of Unreal Engine.
• Experience with procedural content generation and systemic gameplay.
• Experience with current-gen console hardware.
• Experience developing AI systems in games.
• A good understanding of geometric algorithms and data structures.
• Experience in writing Multi Threaded systems.
• Experience profiling and optimizing code.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically to overcome technical challenges and drive innovation in technology.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice to have

(Please note that these skills are not required to apply for the position)

• Professional experience with Mass AI in Unreal 5.
• Experience with ECS or Mass Framework.
• Experience working in a large development environment.
• Shipped at least 1 AAA title.

The application window for this position will close by 05/01/2027.

This job can be hybrid/in-office or fully remote.

Health & Well-Being

• Company-paid medical healthcare (dental, vision, and mental).
• Free mental health support, including access to counseling, psychiatric care, and a variety of well-being webinars.
• Paid leave - 26 days of vacation, 10 sick days, & 12 calendar holidays per year.
• RRSP with employer matching.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) - $100 per month to use towards fitness, wellness, internet, home office equipment, learning, streaming services, and more.
• Menstrual leave - employees who menstruate can take one extra day off when experiencing period pain.
• RED Parents Network - support for working parents.
• Flexible working hours.

Perks & Professional Growth

• Trainings, lectures, and courses - internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available.
• A welcome pack filled with goodies - to help you feel right at home once you join the team.

Life in the Office

• Dog-friendly office - bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There's always a furry friend or two to meet.
• Truly international working environment - a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.
• No dress-code - we like to keep it casual.

This position is a new role.

Estimated pay range for this position: $180,100 - $247,600 CAD annually. This role may be eligible for a long term incentive program (option to purchase CDPR stock after the vesting period).

At CD PROJEKT RED compensation for our roles in North America are determined based on competitive market data, geographic location, and individual factors tied to business needs. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Final offers are dependent on job-related factors like experience, qualifications, and location.