Gameplay Data Science Engineer (Apex Legends)

Electronic Arts; West Chatsworth (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Electronic Arts is seeking a Gameplay Data Science Engineer to spearhead R&D for intelligent bot behaviors in live-service titles like Apex Legends. This role blends data science with gameplay programming, applying ML and RL to build robust AI systems that elevate player engagement.

You will collaborate with designers, producers, and gameplay teams to translate creative ideas into scalable AI solutions inside the game engine, ensuring high performance on consoles and dedicated servers.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data science, ML, or gameplay programming in games.
• Strong C/C++ and Python for engine-level work.
• Experience with reinforcement learning, supervised/unsupervised learning, and AI architectures like Utility AI.
• Experience with large-scale computing frameworks and scalable data pipelines.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, and optimization for game AI.
• Bachelor's or higher in CS/DS/Engineering or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D for game bots using ML, RL, and neural networks to create realistic agent behaviors.
• Design, implement, and maintain gameplay-focused AI frameworks, including Utility AI within the engine.
• Collaborate with gameplay teams to translate creative vision into scalable AI solutions.
• Develop algorithms to structure and analyze gameplay data to improve bot performance.
• Optimize AI systems and data pipelines for high performance on consoles and servers.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Machine Learning

Reinforcement Learning

Data pipelines

Big data

Statistics

Education

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

Job description

Locations

• Los Angeles - Chatsworth, California, United States of America
• Vancouver - Great Northern Way, British Columbia, Canada

Role ID

216112

Worker Type

Regular Employee

Work Model

Hybrid

Description & Requirements

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

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

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.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.