Character Behavior Developer- Generative AI Experiences SW

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Stock options

Relocation assistance

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Character Behavior Developer to advance generative AI experiences in interactive character systems.

You will design, author, and tune NPC interactions, driving animation, expression, and timing from contextual inputs to ensure believable responses across social contexts. The role requires collaboration with writers, animators, and engineers, plus a strong background in behavior authoring tools and real-time constraints.

Qualifications

• Experience authoring and tuning NPC or companion character behaviors using tools like behavior trees, state machines, utility systems, or visual scripting.
• Working knowledge of interactive animation, including idles, reactions, look-ats, and additive layers.
• Experience with real-time game engines like Unity, Unreal, or others.
• Understanding of technical constraints in real-time environments.
• Great at providing and receiving feedback while working in a collaborative, cross-discipline environment.

Responsibilities

• Author complete character interactions, from first pass through final tuning.
• Drive animation, expression, speech, and timing from contextual input so each response feels intentional.
• Design interactions that stay believable across a range of social contexts.
• Collaborate with animators and engineers on the animation each interaction requires.
• Collaborate on tool design and development with the engineering team.
• Explore emerging techniques for interactive character behavior.

Skills

Behavior trees

State machines

Visual scripting

Tools

Unity

Unreal

Job description

Character Behavior Developer- Generative AI Experiences SW

Cupertino, California, United States Machine Learning and AI

At Apple, we strive to make great products that empower people and improve their lives. We are looking for a great Character Behavior Designer to join our diverse team of engineers, artists and designers and help us take character interaction to the next level. This position focuses on the design of a character's responses to people and to its environment, with emphasis on expression, responsiveness, and timing, to push the limits of the next generation of interactive computing.

Description

This role requires a deep understanding of social interaction, technical proficiency in behavior authoring tools, and the ability to work within real-time constraints while maintaining high creative standards. The emphasis is on how expression, animation, and speech combine in performance, with dialogue authored in partnership with writers.

Responsibilities

• Author complete character interactions, from first pass through final tuning
• Drive animation, expression, speech, and timing from contextual input so each response feels intentional
• Design interactions that stay believable across a range of social contexts
• Collaborate with animators and engineers on the animation each interaction requires
• Collaborate on tool design and development with the engineering team
• Explore emerging techniques for interactive character behavior

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience authoring and tuning NPC or companion character behaviors using tools like behavior trees, state machines, utility systems, or visual scripting
• Working knowledge of interactive animation, including idles, reactions, look-ats, and additive layers
• Experience with real-time game engines like Unity, Unreal, or others
• Understanding of technical constraints in real-time environments
• Great at providing and receiving feedback while working in a collaborative, cross-discipline environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in animation, acting, physical comedy, or improvisation
• Familiarity with conversational systems, including latency and failure modes
• Solid grasp of the traditional principles of animation and performance
• Prototyping, iterating, and evaluation skills
• Experience with themed entertainment, animatronics, or interactive installation work

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $144,600 and $263,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here - in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
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