Principal Game AI Engineer (Unreal Engine)

Location: Remote in Massachusetts, USA

Salary: $180,000–$210,000 per year at the start of employment; base pay may vary based on market location and individual factors. Regular roles may also include bonus, equity awards, and benefits.

Company

Ghost Story Games is a self-publishing game development studio founded by Ken Levine and former Irrational Games developers, creating narrative-driven experiences rooted in immersive world building and gameplay.

What you will do

• Own the implementation, hardening, and polish of AI behaviors and systems for Judas through shipping quality.
• Finalize AI systems so enemies react and behave in believable and compelling ways.
• Collaborate with design, animation, and other disciplines to iterate on AI features and support the creative vision.
• Ensure the quality, stability, and reliability of critical AI systems.
• Quickly understand existing code and enhance or extend the existing architecture.

Requirements

• Extensive experience with Unreal Engine 4 and/or Unreal Engine 5.
• Deep experience with modern game AI architecture, including Behavior Trees, pathfinding, and perception systems.
• Experience with modern animation techniques, including root motion, distance matching, motion warping, blend spaces, and state machines.
• Strong knowledge of C++.
• At least one shipped title working primarily on game AI, preferably a AAA title in the action and/or FPS genre.
• Ability to quickly understand existing code and enhance or extend an existing architecture.

Nice to have

• Experience closing down heavily dynamic and/or procedural systems.
• Ability to support build automation processes as needed.
• Experience with C#, Python, or Blueprint.

Culture & Benefits

• Remote position based in Massachusetts.
• Work on Judas, a narrative-driven game led by Ken Levine.
• Regular roles may include bonus and/or equity awards.
• Regular roles may include medical, financial, and other benefits.
• Ghost Story Games is an equal opportunity employer committed to diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds.

Hiring process

• Applicants are asked to watch Ken Levine's GDC talk before applying.
• Recruitment communication is conducted through official Ghost Story email addresses rather than third-party messaging applications.