Lead AI Designer

Epic Games (Portuguese); Cary (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with match

Unlimited PTO

Sabbatical

Mental health program

Job summary

Epic Games in Cary, NC is seeking an experienced Lead AI Designer to own the vision for AI-driven gameplay features. You will lead a cross-disciplinary team of designers to craft compelling, player-facing gameplay experiences and ensure the AI systems scale with ambitious projects.

You will mentor designers, guide planning, and collaborate with AI peers to define a cohesive AI strategy. The role demands a track record shipping AAA titles with strong design leadership, excellent communication,

Qualifications

• Experience shipping multiple AAA titles as a Designer with AI for a highly systemic environment.
• 2+ years in a Lead Game Designer role, including experience managing or leading a team.
• Experience creating behavior trees and using visual scripting.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, vision, and outcome for major features related to AI NPCs, and more.
• Oversee and craft high-quality, player-facing AI behaviors and abilities using behavior trees and visual scripting
• Lead by example to set the quality bar for design
• Actively participate in big-picture decisions, and ensure the design team focuses on the right elements to achieve superior results
• Create and supervise the creation of clear, structured design documents
• Lead, develop and grow the design team, enabling designers to achieve their career goals and best outcomes while also increasing the capabilities of the team; resolve conflicts and foster a healthy, fun working environment
• Cooperate with other designers from the AI team to define and promote a cohesive vision for AI in your project

Skills

Leadership

AI Design

Behavior Trees

Visual Scripting

Gameplay Design

AAA Experience

Job description

What You'll Do

Epic Games is looking for an experienced Lead AI Designer to join our cross-disciplinary development team, where you will own the vision and create innovative features. In this role, you’ll lead a team of designers in order to create compelling gameplay features and experiences for our players.

In this role, you will

• Own the design, vision, and outcome for major features related to AI NPCs, and more.
• Oversee and craft high-quality, player-facing AI behaviors and abilities using behavior trees and visual scripting
• Lead by example to set the quality bar for design
• Actively participate in big-picture decisions, and ensure the design team focuses on the right elements to achieve superior results
• Create and supervise the creation of clear, structured design documents
• Lead, develop and grow the design team, enabling designers to achieve their career goals and best outcomes while also increasing the capabilities of the team; resolve conflicts and foster a healthy, fun working environment
• Cooperate with other designers from the AI team to define and promote a cohesive vision for AI in your project

What we're looking for

• Experience shipping multiple AAA titles as a Designer with experience developing AI for a highly systemic environment, ideally with a combination of shooter and PvP experience
• 2+ years in a Lead Game Designer role, including experience managing or leading a team
• Experience creating behavior trees and using visual scripting
• A creative approach that can surprise and amaze players with new ideas and experiences
• Talent for empathizing with players and a deep understanding of player motivations.
• Organized leader who can structure and plan their own work, and guide planning and goals for their teams
• Solution-oriented problem solver who can react quickly to changing project needs and drive to decisions

EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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.