Senior Gameplay AI & Mechanics Engineer

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental plan

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Gameplay Programmer in George, Western Cape to lead AI-driven gameplay systems and complex mechanics for high‑profile simulation and strategy titles. You will collaborate with designers, artists and fellow programmers, delivering robust, scalable C++ code, implementing pathfinding, state machines, behavior trees and utility AI across multiple platforms.

The role values collaboration, clear documentation and a passion for innovative gameplay in a studio that

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Game Development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in gameplay programming for video games, with a strong focus on AI and core mechanics.
• Expert proficiency in C++ and a solid understanding of object-oriented programming principles.
• Proven experience developing and implementing AI systems (e.g., pathfinding, state machines, behavior trees, utility AI).
• Experience with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle complex technical challenges.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git, Perforce).
• A passion for simulation and strategy games, and a keen understanding of what makes compelling gameplay.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and iterate on core gameplay systems, focusing on AI behaviors, character controllers, and game mechanics.
• Develop and optimize AI algorithms for non-player characters (NPCs), including pathfinding, decision-making, and behavioral logic.
• Collaborate with game designers to translate gameplay concepts and mechanics into functional, efficient code.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code, adhering to established programming standards and best practices.
• Work closely with other programmers and technical leads to ensure seamless integration of gameplay systems.
• Debug and resolve complex gameplay and AI-related issues across multiple platforms.
• Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback to peers and contributing to code quality improvements.
• Mentor junior programmers and contribute to the team's technical growth and knowledge sharing.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in game programming, AI techniques, and engine technology.

Skills

C++

AI

Gameplay programming

Pathfinding

State machines

Behavior trees

Utility AI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Gameplay Programmer in George, Western Cape to lead AI-driven gameplay systems and complex mechanics for high‑profile simulation and strategy titles. You will collaborate with designers, artists and fellow programmers, delivering robust, scalable C++ code, implementing pathfinding, state machines, behavior trees and utility AI across multiple platforms.

The role values collaboration, clear documentation and a passion for innovative gameplay in a studio that