Senior Game AI Programmer - NPC Strategy & Behavior

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, invites a Senior AI Programmer to join our client’s on-site team. You will design, implement, and optimize NPC AI, including pathfinding, behavior trees, and decision-making logic, tackling challenging gameplay scenarios.

You will mentor junior programmers, collaborate with designers, and drive the studio's AI strategy, leveraging machine learning where applicable to create believable, adaptive characters and responsive environments.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of AI programming in games.
• Expert proficiency in C++ and object-oriented programming.
• Strong knowledge of AI algorithms for games (pathfinding, A*, flocking, behavior trees, FSMs).
• Experience with game AI middleware or engines.
• Knowledge of AI for animation, combat, and strategy gameplay.
• Experience with ML concepts and libraries is a plus.
• Excellent debugging and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork in a studio setting.
• A portfolio showcasing significant AI programming contributions is required.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize NPC AI systems, including pathfinding, behavior trees, state machines, and decision-making logic.
• Develop advanced AI techniques for enemy combat, group tactics, and environmental interaction.
• Integrate AI systems with animation, physics, and gameplay components.
• Collaborate with designers and writers to define and implement AI behaviors that serve the narrative and gameplay goals.
• Profile and debug AI systems to ensure performance and stability.
• Research and implement cutting-edge AI technologies, including machine learning, to enhance NPC intelligence and adaptability.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented C++ code.
• Mentor junior AI programmers and provide technical guidance.
• Contribute to the overall AI strategy and technical direction of the studio.
• Ensure AI behaviors are robust, scalable, and adhere to project quality standards.

Skills

C++

AI algorithms

Pathfinding

Behavior trees

Finite state machines

Machine learning

Debugging

Teamwork

Portfolio

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS/AI or related field

Tools

Game engines

AI middleware

TensorFlow/PyTorch

Job description

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, invites a Senior AI Programmer to join our client’s on-site team. You will design, implement, and optimize NPC AI, including pathfinding, behavior trees, and decision-making logic, tackling challenging gameplay scenarios.

You will mentor junior programmers, collaborate with designers, and drive the studio's AI strategy, leveraging machine learning where applicable to create believable, adaptive characters and responsive environments.