Gameplay Data Science Engineer (Apex Legends)

Respawn Entertainment; Redwood City (CA); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 256,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Respawn Entertainment in Los Angeles or Vancouver is seeking a Gameplay Data Science Engineer to drive R&D of AI for Apex Legends. You will work at the intersection of data science and gameplay programming, applying machine learning and reinforcement learning to build intelligent agents that improve bot behavior and player experience.

You will collaborate with designers and producers to translate creative vision into scalable AI systems, optimize data pipelines, and ensure high performance

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data science, machine learning engineering, or gameplay programming within the games industry.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python for both engine-level implementation and algorithmic development.
• Hands-on experience with reinforcement learning, supervised/unsupervised learning, and AI architectures like Utility AI.
• Experience with large-scale computing frameworks, big-data techniques, and building scalable data pipelines.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, and optimization theory applied to game AI and machine learning.
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D efforts for game bots using machine learning, reinforcement learning, and neural networks to create realistic agent behaviors.
• Design, implement, and maintain gameplay-focused AI frameworks, including Utility AI systems, directly within the game engine.
• Collaborate with gameplay teams and designers to translate creative vision into technical specifications and scalable AI solutions.
• Develop and program algorithms to structure and analyze gameplay data to improve bot performance and decision-making.
• Optimize AI systems and data pipelines to ensure high performance and stability across consoles and dedicated servers.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Reinforcement learning

Big-data

Math & statistics

Experience 5+ years

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in CS/DS/Engineering

Job description

Job Title: Gameplay Data Science Engineer

Location: Hybrid - Vancouver or Los Angeles

Reports to: Technical Director

Job Summary:

Founded in 2010, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they’ll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected. Respawn Entertainment is the Academy Award-winning studio behind Apex Legends, Titanfall, and Star Wars Jedi titles. Join us to help shape the future of one of the world’s leading live service franchises: Apex Legends.

As a Gameplay & Data Science Engineer, you will drive the Research & Development of advanced bot behaviors and AI frameworks to enhance the Apex Legends experience. You will work at the intersection of data science and gameplay programming, utilizing machine learning and reinforcement learning to create intelligent agents. Working closely with gameplay teams, game designers, and producers, you will implement robust AI systems that improve game quality and player engagement. Your work will ensure our AI is of outstanding quality and provides the best experience for our players.

Responsibilities:

• Lead R&D efforts for game bots using machine learning, reinforcement learning, and neural networks to create realistic agent behaviors.
• Design, implement, and maintain gameplay-focused AI frameworks, including Utility AI systems, directly within the game engine.
• Collaborate with gameplay teams and designers to translate creative vision into technical specifications and scalable AI solutions.
• Develop and program algorithms to structure and analyze gameplay data to improve bot performance and decision-making.
• Optimize AI systems and data pipelines to ensure high performance and stability across consoles and dedicated servers.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in data science, machine learning engineering, or gameplay programming within the games industry.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and Python for both engine-level implementation and algorithmic development.
• Hands-on experience with reinforcement learning, supervised/unsupervised learning, and AI architectures like Utility AI.
• Experience with large-scale computing frameworks, big-data techniques, and building scalable data pipelines.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, and optimization theory applied to game AI and machine learning.
• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

Pay Transparency - North America COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).

PAY RANGES

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) $141,400 - $204,400 CAD
• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) $165,000 - $256,000 USD

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.

In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.

For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.