Senior AI Engineer at Absurd Ventures
San RafaelFull-timeGame DevelopmentPosted 14 days ago
Apply with PipelineAbout the Role
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">Summary</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":299,"335559739":299}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">We are looking for an experienced AI Engineer to join our early stage team. In this role you will build systems and features that support a rich open world in Unreal Engine 5. We are looking for someone who is excited by the unique challenges of open world AI systems and who loves working in a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">Core Responsibilities</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":299,"335559739":299}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Design, implement, and maintain AI systems, features, and tools that support a dynamic and reactive open world.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Collaborate with design, animation, and gameplay teams to prototype, iterate, and deliver new AI behaviors, abilities, and systemic interactions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop and support AI authoring tools that enable designers to efficiently create, test, and tune behaviors at scale.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Build performant, well-architected C++ systems optimized for large-scale simulation and open-world streaming.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Debug and optimize AI performance across multiple platforms, ensuring stability, scalability, and responsiveness.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Contribute to long-term technical planning for AI systems, including architecture, workflow improvements, and new technology initiatives.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Provide technical mentorship and support to designers and other developers who use the AI systems you build.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Collaborate with technical leaders to uphold engineering best practices, coding standards, and documentation quality.</span> </li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">Core Qualifications</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":299,"335559739":299}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">1+ year of professional experience working in Unreal Engine.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}">5+ years of professional experience working on large scale games. </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Strong working knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 AI tools and systems, such as the following:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Navigation (NavMesh)</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Behavior Trees</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">State Trees</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">EQS</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Perception System</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">AI Controllers, Blackboards, and related frameworks</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Expertise in modern C++ with strong software architecture, debugging, and optimization skills.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Proven ability to design complex systems that are scalable, maintainable, and content-friendly.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Demonstrated experience collaborating across departments and leading cross-functional initiatives involving design, animation, and gameplay engineering.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, solution-oriented mindset.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2">Plus</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="heading 2"> If...</span></span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":299,"335559739":299}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience building AI for open-world, systemic, or sandbox games.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Familiarity with Mass Entity, crowd systems, or large-scale AI simulation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Knowledge of animation systems (Montages, Motion Matching, Control Rig) and how they intersect with AI behavior.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience developing AI debugging tools or in-editor visualization tools.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Background in machine learning, utility systems, or experimental AI techniques.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Passion for emergent gameplay, systemic design, and building living worlds.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Description</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Full time job with benefits. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Role is on-site in San Rafael, CA. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
<li><span data-contrast="auto">Office is located near downtown San Rafael – near transit stations and freeways. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The base pay range for this position is $160,000 to $190,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p>
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