Aardvark Swift is supporting the fantastic Firesprite in their search for a Lead AI Programmer to join the early development of a AAA, Unreal 5 multiplayer action game. This bold project aims to break new ground in multiplayer, blending gameplay mechanics in new ways and deeply embedding storytelling elements into a unique universe. They’re building an elite, diverse first-party team and this is your opportunity to help shape a future blockbuster!

As a Lead AI Programmer at the studio, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining state-of-the art AI behavioural systems and overall NPC Gameplay architecture. You will be working on next gen platforms and in areas such as AI, NPC behaviours, pathfinding, navigation, decision trees, and choice systems.

Your responsibilities…

• Communicate and work closely with the wider team to translate AI/NPC design goals into AAA core gameplay systems
• Facilitate the prototyping, implementation, iteration, and polishing of new and existing AI/NPC mechanics and associated gameplay systems
• Play a huge part in all relevant gameplay areas to create state-of-the-art AI/NPC systems
• Report to your Line Manager on the delivery of the technical and gameplay goals of the AI/NPC systems and tasks
• Respond to design feedback to help meet the creative vision of the game
• Provide constructive input to and feedback on potential new features during the initial design, prototyping, iteration, and polish stages
• Work with your team development manager to ensure correct scheduling and timely delivery of system
• Closely interact with engineers working on animation, cameras, gameplay, audio, level logic, systems architecture, controls, and physics
• Balance your day-to-day programming tasks alongside the line management tasks as necessary, taking full ownership of systems design and delivery

The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role…

• Previous experience as a gameplay programmer within the games industry
• Strong knowledge and experience of programming in C++, current game-based AI and NPC programming, and systems
• Strong knowledge of Unreal Engine AI systems (behaviour trees, pathfinding, etc)
• Experience with profiling and optimising CPU performance of real-time game systems
• General software engineering knowledge, such as OOP, design patterns, and API development
• Confidence working with 3D maths, vectors, matrices, and linear algebra

It's a bonus if you have…

• Experience with console development
• Experience of working with game-play mechanics concerning narrative, action, or adventure games

In 2012, Firesprite was founded  by a group of creative veterans with years of industry experience. The studio have created some of the most memorable and exciting games, with a core focus to develop innovative and memorable experiences for players on cutting edge gaming hardware.