Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Epic Games; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Epic Games is seeking an experienced machine learning engineer to design and deploy production-ready models for bot behavior and world agents within Unreal-powered environments.

You will work at the intersection of computer vision, natural language processing, and ML for in-game automation, focusing on bots, NPCs, and automation tasks across moderation, security, and QA testing.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics or related field, or 3+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience creating/ applying ML for bot behavior, vision-based or language-instructed, deployed in-game.
• Hands-on knowledge of deep learning, vision-language-action models, and RL.
• Python and ML tools (numpy, scipy, sklearn, pytorch).

Responsibilities

• Create and deliver production-ready ML models for actions in game environments.
• Assess model effectiveness and inform the ongoing roadmap.
• Evaluate data channels and support creation of new ones.

Skills

ML for game bots

Reinforcement learning

Python programming

Agile collaboration

Education

PhD in Computer Science or related field

3+ years of industry experience

Tools

Python

NumPy

SciPy

Scikit-learn

PyTorch

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

ENGINEERING - GAMES

What We Do

Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time entertainment with our constantly growing team of engineering experts. We’re always improving on the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.

What You'll Do

You will work with our team of applied research engineers at the intersection of computer vision, gameplay agents, natural language processing, and machine learning to create state-of-the-art tools to support game developers in our ecosystem with a focus on bots (trained gameplay agents, intelligent NPCs, companions, world modeling), as well as automation of a number key areas (including moderation, security, and QA testing). You will be responsible for the design, implementation and deployment of production-ready machine learning models that can be integrated in our ecosystem.

In this role, you will

• Create and deliver production-ready, scalable and high-quality machine learning models and associated algorithms that can make actions in game environments
• Critically assess the effectiveness of such models and make recommendations for the ongoing roadmap
• Methodically understand and assess the effectiveness of new data channels and support collection/creation of new ones

What we're looking for

• • PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics or related field, or 3+ years of relevant industry experience
    • Experience creating / applying machine learning algorithms for action modeling of bots behavior, vision-based or language-instructed, and deploying them as production-level systems in-game
    • Expert, hands-on knowledge of:
      • Deep learning, incl. but not limited to applications in the gaming industry
      • Foundational models and vision and/or language, especially vision-language-action models, reinforcement learning agents, incl. local deployment and model post-training of open weights models
      • Reinforcement learning, incl. experience with agentic systems, reward design, policy optimisation, evaluation, and building scalable training environments for agents
      • Python and associated ML tools/frameworks (numpy, scipy, sklearn, pytorch)
    • Experience with working collaboratively with other developers, following a flexible/agile/lean approach

EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

We pay 100% for benefits except for PMI (for dependents). Our current benefits package includes pension, private medical insurance, health care cash plan, dental insurance, disability and life insurance, critical illness, cycle to work scheme, flu shots, health checks, and meals. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents.

ABOUT US

Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.