Senior AI Gameplay Engineer

Spark is looking for a Senior AI Gameplay Engineer for a 3rd Person Action/Adventure title in a high-profile science fiction franchise currently in development for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC markets.    You will be tasked with functionality goals to realize the vision of a high profile next-generation property currently in prototype development.  With input from team engineers, artists, designers in an agile development (SCRUM) environment, implement core game technologies within the Unreal 3 engine for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC markets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of AI behavior development.
• Work closely with engineers, artists, designers to design and implement cutting-edge, realistic, smart and intuitive AI solutions.
• Communicate with Game Designers to create AI behaviors according to specifications and to maximize user experience.
• Design and implement solutions to create realistic motion and animations for AI behaviors.
• Implement and maintain strategic and realistic path finding and path following algorithms as well as formation and grouping algorithms
• Create tools and user interface to easily author AI behaviors.
• Develop, maintain and extend current AI framework for multi platforms.
• Keep abreast of latest AI technology and technique and provide usability/feasibility analysis for the project's AI requirements.
• Develop and maintain network ready code to ensure that it meets multiplayer/coop functionality and requirements: client/server state replications, latency, synchronization, cheating, etc. etc.
• Write well architected, robust, and maintainable code with good coding standards for all platforms with an eye towards usability for multiple games.
• Maintain code performance through profiling and optimization.
• Contributing innovative and original ideas towards all aspects of game production and development.
• Participate in the development of core disciplines (gameplay, UI, graphics or multiplayer)
• Ability to lead, manage, and guide other team members from various departments to complete a level.
• Actively seek review and input from team members
• Assist in writing TDD for the game
• Assist in creating schedule including helping others ensure their schedules are realistic and accurate.
• Create tools, features and engine components in other areas of development as needed with good coding standards.
• Provide documentation and support of implemented features.
• Communicate closely with Lead Gameplay Engineer and CTO regarding the status of assigned tasks as well as potential pitfalls that require redesign.
• Be proactive at fixing issues that are discovered.
• Provide user support in all aspect of the engine and its tools.
• Willingness to assist in all areas of game development.
  

Requirements

• An eye for detail and feel for good gameplay and AI behaviors.
• C/C++ proficiency and design skills.
• In depth knowledge of AI systems (Path finding, Path building, LOS, State Machines, Sensory systems, Group behavior, etc. etc.).
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Software Engineering.
• Experience in the design and implementation of game systems, including AI and navigation systems, camera, rendering, UI, FX and game object management.
• Experience with memory management, multi-threading, cross-platform development and a working knowledge of 3D math
• Must be comfortable working within, and enhancing, an established code framework
• Ability to rapidly prototype new AI behaviors and turn these prototypes into robust, maintainable, shippable systems.
• Knowledge of client/server multi-player architecture.
• Ability to participate in gameplay design and follow specifications.
• Ability to openly discuss and review technical proposals, requirements, designs, algorithms, source code, and reference documents with engineers, content creators and managers.
• Creative, focused, results-oriented, self-motivated, resourceful problem-solver with excellent debugging and strong communications skills
• Highly collaborative approach to development
• A passion for well architected, robust, maintainable, and extensible code with good coding standards.
• A belief that a well architected code saves time.
• Passion for video games and broad knowledge of titles and mechanics
• Ability to provide realistic schedules
• Demonstrated knowledge of good software engineering practices.
  

Desired Skills and Pluses

• Unreal Engine 3 experience or experience in maintaining/extending an existing AI framework.
• Designed and implemented (or maintained) a full featured AI system for a published AAA game.
• Experience with Kynapse AI middleware.
• PC, Xbox360, PS3 development experience.
• Agile development methodologies (SCRUM, RUP, XP, etc.)
  

• Applicants must be able to work at our Sherman Oaks, California studios and be authorized to work in the United States.
• Email only. No visits or phone calls, please.
• The Subject line of your email must reference the job title and your name, like this: AI Engineer: Last name, First name
• Include your resume as an email attachment, preferably as a PDF or in Word 2003 or later format.
• Make sure your resume also includes your name, address, phone, and email.
• Send email to eng-jobA1813@sparkunlimited.com*

*principle applications only.  no recruitment firms please.

Download Spark Non-Disclosure Agreement