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Unreal Engine Ai Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Engineer to join us in support of our partner studio! In this role, you'll work alongside our team to build, port, and optimize the dedicated game server for a large-scale multiplayer Unreal Engine ...

Senior AI Engineer

San Rafael, CA · On-site

$116.50K - $160K/yr

The role involves designing and implementing AI systems for a dynamic open world in Unreal Engine ... developers who use the AI systems you build. • Collaborate with technical leaders to uphold ...

Senior AI Engineer

San Rafael, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $190K/yr

Senior AI Engineer We are looking for an experienced AI Engineer to join our early stage team ... In this role you will build systems and features that support a rich open world in Unreal Engine 5. ...

Director of Game AI Production

San Diego, CA · On-site

$189.60K - $284.40K/yr

Our highly creative teams are full of veteran game developers, artists, game engine experts and ... Hands-on experience utilizing Unreal Engine or Unity for commercial content production or game ...

Game Engine Developer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Are you interested in working with the World's leading AI-powered Quality Engineering Company ... Deep experience with Unreal Engine internals and plugin/module development. * Solid understanding ...

Senior/Principal Unreal Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$124.40K - $171.50K/yr

You are a developer who loves to build engrossing game experiences and mentor junior developers ... We are using Unreal Engine 4. You must have proven C++ game-development skills and deep Unreal ...

Senior AI Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$113.50K - $149.60K/yr

As a Senior Gameplay AI Engineer, you'll play a critical role on a small, focused team. You'll own ... Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to ...

Senior AI Engineer

San Rafael, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $190K/yr

Summary We are looking for an experienced AI Engineer to join our early stage team ... In this role you will build systems and features that support a rich open world in Unreal Engine 5. ...

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Unreal Engine Ai Programmer information

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How much do unreal engine ai programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for unreal engine ai programmer in the United States is $39.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.72 and $51.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Unreal Engine AI Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Unreal Engine AI Programmer, you need strong programming skills in C++, a solid understanding of artificial intelligence concepts, and experience with Unreal Engine’s Blueprint and AI systems. Familiarity with tools like Unreal Engine’s Behavior Trees, Blackboard, and navigation systems, as well as experience with version control systems, is often required. Problem-solving, creativity, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating with designers and other developers. These skills ensure the creation of intelligent, responsive game characters and systems, which are crucial for engaging gameplay and a seamless player experience.

How does an Unreal Engine AI Programmer typically collaborate with game designers and artists during development?

As an Unreal Engine AI Programmer, you’ll work closely with game designers to understand gameplay requirements and translate them into technical AI systems, such as enemy behaviors or NPC pathfinding. Collaboration with artists is also common, especially when integrating AI-controlled characters and ensuring their animations and visual feedback align with the game’s vision. Regular meetings and cross-disciplinary communication are essential, allowing you to iterate on features and quickly address changes or challenges. This collaborative environment fosters creative solutions and ensures that AI features enhance the overall player experience.

What is an Unreal Engine AI Programmer?

An Unreal Engine AI Programmer is a software developer who specializes in creating and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) systems within the Unreal Engine, a popular game development platform. Their responsibilities include designing behaviors for non-player characters (NPCs), developing navigation and decision-making systems, and optimizing AI performance for games or simulations. They work closely with designers and artists to ensure AI behaves realistically and enhances the player's experience. Proficiency in C++ and familiarity with Unreal Engine's Blueprint visual scripting are typically required for this role.

What is the difference between Unreal Engine Ai Programmer vs Game Developer?

AspectUnreal Engine Ai ProgrammerGame Developer
Required SkillsAI algorithms, Unreal Engine, C++Game design, programming, Unreal Engine, C++/C#
Work EnvironmentGame studios, tech companies using Unreal EngineGame studios, independent developers, tech companies
Industry UsageFocus on AI systems within Unreal Engine projectsBroader game development including gameplay, UI, and systems

The Unreal Engine Ai Programmer specializes in developing AI systems within Unreal Engine, focusing on behavior trees, navigation, and AI logic. In contrast, a Game Developer has a broader role, handling various aspects of game creation such as gameplay mechanics, UI, and overall project development. While both roles require knowledge of Unreal Engine and C++, the AI Programmer concentrates on AI-specific features, whereas the Game Developer covers a wider range of development tasks.

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Infographic showing various Unreal Engine Ai Programmer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% Internship, 74% Full Time, and 13% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,234 per year, or $39.5 per hour.
Lead Systems Engineer, Unreal Engine 5

Lead Systems Engineer, Unreal Engine 5

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


Job description

Team Name:
Unannounced Project
Job Title:
Lead Systems Engineer, Unreal Engine 5
Requisition ID:
R026419
Job Description:
At Blizzard, we craft genre-defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and storytelling, we create immersive universes and iconic characters that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations - only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.
We are seeking a Lead Systems Engineer, Unreal Engine 5 to oversee core engine development for our game. As the lead of the engine systems team, you will inspire and align the team around a technical vision that enables best-in-class gameplay, art, and audio experiences across multiple hardware platforms. By directly managing a team of engineers and collaborating with project leadership, you will help define strategic initiatives and break down clear and achievable goals for the engine team aligned with the project goals. When particularly hard problems arise, you'll draw upon the team's collective creativity to define and execute upon a technical vision that meets the project's needs.
This role is a full-time, hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.
Responsibilities
Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:
  • Manage, evaluate, and mentor the engineering staff of the engine core team.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for required engine functionality, collaborating with multi-disciplinary stakeholders and with project leadership to define and execute project requirements.
  • Partner with the production staff and the rest of the leadership team for milestone planning and tracking development progress.
  • Author and maintain technical design documents that outline key project architectural decisions, features, milestones, and technical risks.
  • Provide engine-based guidance and define best practices that empower designers, artists, and gameplay engineers to deliver the vision of the game and ensure we delight and entertain our players.
  • Partner in driving processes and tooling necessary to ensure the game runs smoothly and efficiently across multiple hardware platforms of varying capabilities.

Requirements
Experience
  • 8+ years of experience in game development engineering or a combination of applicable training and experience.
  • Experience using the Unreal Engine 5 (both C++ and Blueprint).
  • Experience tuning the various engine systems within the Unreal engine to run efficiently on PC's and modern consoles.
  • Previous leadership experience including at least one shipped game title.
  • Multithreading, performance analysis, and code optimization.

Knowledge & Skills
  • The ability to author, debug, and optimize production-grade C++ code.
  • The capacity to make frequent, readable, and well-tested code commits.
  • The ability to communicate and articulate vision, ideas, and learnings from others, and to give meaningful feedback.
  • Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.
  • Experience mentoring others in the areas of expertise and growing engineers.
  • Experience working closely in multi-disciplinary teams with people of diverse mindsets.
  • Experience analyzing game features, systems, and content for performance and optimizing a game to release quality.

Extra Points
Experience
  • Experience in creating technologies to enable large-scale AAA-game development productions to meet performance, scope and timeline requirements.
  • Computer science, mathematics, physics, or related degree(s).
  • Experience making games with large, open worlds.

Knowledge & Skills
  • Comfortable working in a large codebase.
  • Experience developing online multiplayer games and features

Your Platform
Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry's most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Our World
Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!
Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered!
The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.
We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.
Rewards
We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:
  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.
In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $146,000.00 - $270,004.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role's range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

Blizzard Entertainment logo

About Blizzard Entertainment

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Blizzard Entertainment is a globally recognized leader in the Digital Gaming industry, renowned for creating some of the world's most popular video games such as "World of Warcraft," "Overwatch," and "Diablo." The company was founded in 1991 and is currently based in Irvine, California, USA. Aside from creating engaging video games, Blizzard Entertainment also develops and supports a wide range of software products within the realm of entertainment. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality, an element that can be recognized in its vast array of legendary games. Notably, its creation, World of Warcraft, remains one of the highest-grossing video games of all time.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

1991

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