Senior Machine Learning Programmer

Epic Games; United States; Hybrid; USD 233,000 - 341,000; Full time

Job summary

Epic Games, a leader in real-time graphics, seeks a Machine Learning Engineer for the Special Projects team. You will design production-ready ML models for bot behavior, NPCs, and automated systems within Unreal Engine-based experiences.

You will work with researchers on vision, NLP, and reinforcement learning, delivering scalable, high-quality AI tools and ensuring smooth integration into our ecosystem across North America and Europe.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in ML for real-time systems.
• Experience building production ML models for game bots or NPCs.
• Strong background in ML fundamentals and deployment.

Responsibilities

• Create scalable production-ready ML models for bot behavior and game AI.
• Assess model effectiveness and inform roadmap priorities.
• Collaborate across vision, NLP, and ML to integrate features into Unreal Engine-based projects.

Skills

ML for bots

Deep learning

Reinforcement learning

Vision-language models

Python

Agentic systems

Education

PhD in Computer Science or related field

3+ years of relevant industry experience

Tools

numpy

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.

PROGRAMMING - SPECIAL PROJECTS

What We Do

The Special Projects team at Epic is responsible for executing high-impact projects that push the envelope to define the future of real-time graphics and gaming technology (The Matrix Awakens, Lumen in the Land of Nanite). In collaboration with the Unreal Engine team, we strive to put our technology and knowledge into the hands of users, empowering developers and content creators with the most powerful suite of real-time tools in the world.

What You'll Do

You will work with our team of applied research programmers 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

This role is open to multiple locations across North America & Europe (including NYC).

Pay Transparency Information

The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Each base pay range is relevant only for individuals who are residents of or will be expected to work within the specified locale. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren't limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Epic's generous benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).

New York City Base Pay Range $232,666-$341,243 USD

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.