Remote Lead AI Programmer

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Remote Lead AI Programmer to drive AI development for a cutting-edge gaming studio. You will design, implement, and optimize AI systems for NPCs, game worlds, and interactive elements, guiding a remote team of AI programmers.

You should have 7+ years in game development with at least 4 in AI, strong C++/C# skills, and experience with Unreal Engine or Unity. Collaboration with designers and researchers is essential to deliver believable intelligent experiences.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in game development with at least 4 in AI.
• Experience leading a programming team and mentoring others.
• Strong C++/C# skills and OO design principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of advanced AI for NPCs and environments.
• Develop pathfinding, behavior trees, state machines, GOAP, and decision-making.
• Mentor junior AI programmers and conduct code reviews.
• Collaborate with designers to craft believable NPC behaviors.
• Optimize AI for performance across platforms and engines.
• Stay updated on AI research and ML applications in games.

Skills

C++

C#

Unreal Engine

Unity

Pathfinding

Behavior Trees

GOAP

Machine Learning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or AI

Tools

NavMesh

GOAP tooling

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a groundbreaking studio pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment, is actively seeking a visionary Remote Lead AI Programmer to spearhead their artificial intelligence development efforts. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing AI systems that drive intelligent behavior in non-player characters (NPCs), game worlds, and other interactive elements. This role requires a deep understanding of AI algorithms, pathfinding, decision-making processes, and machine learning concepts within the context of game development. You will lead a team of AI programmers, mentor junior members, and collaborate closely with game designers to create believable and engaging AI-driven experiences. This is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of intelligent systems in gaming, working remotely in a collaborative and innovative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced AI systems for characters, enemies, and game environments.
• Develop and refine AI algorithms for pathfinding, behavior trees, state machines, goal-oriented action planning (GOAP), and decision-making.
• Collaborate with game designers to define and implement NPC behaviors that are compelling, challenging, and believable.
• Mentor and guide junior AI programmers, providing technical direction and code reviews.
• Optimize AI systems for performance and scalability across multiple platforms.
• Research and integrate cutting-edge AI techniques, including machine learning and neural networks where appropriate.
• Work closely with engine programmers to ensure seamless integration of AI features into the game engine.
• Identify and troubleshoot AI-related bugs and performance issues.
• Contribute to the development of AI tools and pipelines to improve team efficiency.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI research and their application in the gaming industry.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in game development, with at least 4 years focused specifically on AI programming.
• Proven experience leading a team of programmers or technical specialists.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or C#, along with a deep understanding of object-oriented programming principles.
• Extensive experience with AI algorithms such as A*, navigation meshes, behavior trees, and fuzzy logic.
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks and techniques is highly desirable.
• Experience with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, and their AI systems.
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and optimization skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, essential for leading a remote team.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• A portfolio demonstrating significant contributions to AI systems in shipped titles.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and the flexibility to work from anywhere.
• Our client provides exceptional opportunities for professional growth, cutting-edge tools and technologies, and a collaborative culture that fosters innovation.
• Be at the forefront of AI development in the gaming industry and contribute to experiences that captivate millions.
• Join a team that values autonomy, expertise, and groundbreaking achievement, all from the comfort of your chosen workspace.