Senior AI Programmer

Key Skills

Aartificial intelligence, C++, Debugging, Design, Effective communication skills, Game Engineering, Software Development

Job Description

NetEase Games is one of the largest game developers worldwide by size and revenue. Over the years, NetEase Games has been focusing on developing high quality content and providing the best experience for gamers all around the world. So far, the company has more than 100 games in operation. Its recent games include Naraka: Bladepoint, Knives Out, Onmyoji, Identity V, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, etc.

Along with its many creative partnerships, NetEase is expanding its portfolio of studios, including Bad Brain Game Studios, Jackalyptic Games, Jar of Sparks, and Quantic Dream.

About the Role:

As a Senior AI Programmer, you will be responsible for creating, maintaining and supporting major AI systems with an impact on the whole game.  You will be working closely with other Engineers, Designers and other disciplines. 

You will be expected to have high standards and help the more junior members of the team develop their skills through reviews, training, encouragement and constructive feedback. 

Location: Toronto, ON or Montreal, QC 

Responsibilities: 

• Work with game designers, content creators (animators, …) and programmers to design and create high quality AI systems that allow for rapid iteration. 
• Break down, estimate and coordinate large tasks, and clearly update your progress. 
• Test, debug, profile, and optimize a wide range of code, both familiar and unfamiliar. 
• Mentor more junior programmers. 
• Communicate with designers, artists and other engineers to ensure the AI satisfies production needs and quality standards. 
• Contribute to and propagate good coding standards. 
• Write maintainable and robust code. 
• Maintain a working knowledge of all the major AI techniques (finite state machines, behavior trees, pathfinding, goal-oriented behavior, rule-based systems, learning etc.) and apply them as appropriate. 
• Maintain and extend the existing AI framework and tools. 
• Create general purpose code for pathfinding, team coordination, tactical positioning, object interaction, scheduling etc. 

Qualifications: 

• 8+ years of C++ programming experience in game development working in medium/large teams, with 5+ of them in AI. 
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience. 
• Excellent programming skills in C++. 
• Ability to learn and master a large existing code base. 
• Strong software engineering and debugging skills. 
• Experience with mentoring other Programmers and providing insightful feedback on implementation. 
• Experience in multi-platform/AAA game development. 
• Practical knowledge of modern game AI systems and design patterns. 
• Experience in programming movement, navigation, and decision-making AI. 
• Experience developing in Unreal Engine 5 is a plus. 

Qualities Needed to Thrive in this Role: 

• Good communication skills and ability to work on shared projects with designers, animators, artists, testers, and other developer. 
• Ability to self-organize and be autonomous. 
• Ability to clearly and concisely describe the functionality and output of systems.

We are an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other protected status as required as by law.