NPC Behaviour Engineer (Game AI)

Location: Remote within the UK or based in the West Midlands. Full-time contractor role. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Company

hirify.global is an independent game development studio based just outside Birmingham, creating proprietary projects and supporting high-profile clients on AAA games.

What you will do

• Design, implement, and iterate NPC AI behaviours and systems from prototype through production.
• Develop decision-making, navigation, perception, combat, reactions, and other gameplay behaviours.
• Translate gameplay requirements into robust AI systems in collaboration with Design, Engineering, Animation, and other disciplines.
• Debug, profile, and optimise AI systems affecting behaviour, performance, and player experience.
• Playtest and refine behaviours to make them fun, believable, readable, and suitable for the intended gameplay experience.
• Contribute reusable AI tools and systems that support multiple features and projects.

Requirements

• Strong programming skills and experience developing gameplay or AI systems.
• Understanding of game AI principles, including behaviour trees, state machines, navigation, perception, and decision-making.
• Experience implementing, testing, and debugging NPC behaviours in real-time game environments.
• Understanding of gameplay systems and AI’s contribution to the player experience.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, critical-thinking, and collaboration skills.
• Passion for video games and the ability to create technically robust, fun, readable, and believable AI.

Nice to have

• Experience with Behaviour Trees, EQS, State Machines, Utility AI, or similar technologies.
• Experience with combat AI, squad behaviours, companion AI, or complex NPC interactions.
• Experience on AAA, co-development, multiplayer, open-world, or live-service projects.
• Experience optimising and profiling AI in large or complex game worlds.
• Experience developing reusable AI frameworks, tools, or debugging solutions.

Culture & Benefits

• Friendly, nurturing environment with support across all aspects of development.
• Opportunity to work on market-leading AAA titles and IP with established studio and publisher partners.
• Work within a sustainably growing independent game developer.
• Learning opportunities across a wide range of internal and external projects.

Hiring process

• Submit a portfolio and cover letter.
• Portfolio samples from previous studios must be cleared for release by the copyright owners.
• Online portfolios are preferred; showreels may also be submitted through secure file-sharing platforms.