Gameplay Engineer, AI

Who We Are :

2K Games is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ : TTWO).

Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world.

Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios.

Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.

Located in Vancouver, BC, 2K Sports Lab is a small collective being formed within 2K Games that is driving the research and development of future sports interactive entertainment programs.

Within this group, speculative work will be done on future sports games with an eye towards taking the magic of 2K’s publishing and development expertise and applying them to future opportunities.

Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Lego Drive, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM.

At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role.

If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!

What We Need :

We’re seeking an experienced AI Engineer who has a high quality bar, a passion for solving complex problems, and has a deep understanding of AI replication of human sports behaviors.

In this role, you will be working closely with Artists, Design and Production to help develop nuanced and sophisticated intelligence that generates variety and authentic behaviors, then iterate and innovate upon it and polish world class gameplay for what will be the next massive sports franchise in our industry.

What You’ll Do :

• Work with existing technology and build new technology in order to fulfill the project’s technical requirements and design goals.
• Collaborate closely with gameplay engineers and designers to identify and develop new AI features and intelligence technology to execute on the vision for the project.
• Advise on feasibility of design vision and propose solutions to AI challenges to achieve the design vision.
• Write and maintain well documented robust and performant code.
• Optimize code and debug AI issues as they arise.
• Have and share opinions on the design of the game and game quality.
• Analyze the sport you are working on to develop the intelligence of the behaviors of the players we are replicating, with the goal of creating Authentic, Sophisticated, Emergent and Varied AI behaviors.
• Assist more junior engineers in making the best use of existing and new AI features.
• Conduct regular code reviews to ensure quality and consistency.
• Keep up to date with the latest industry / academic work for consideration for our AI toolset.

What Will Make You A Great Fit :

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 5+ years of proven experience working as an AI or Gameplay Engineer, especially for AAA games on consoles.
• Expertise and experience with C++.
• Solid math, linear algebra, and statistics skills.
• Ability to write clean, well-documented, and efficient code
• Ability to explain technical topics to people of varying levels of expertise.
• Self-motivated with excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to work and collaborate effectively as part of a team.

Beneficial Qualifications :

• Passionate about playing and / or watching sports.
• Experience in Unreal Engine is a plus.
• Passion for video games (not just ours)

The pay range for this position in British Columbia, Canada at the start of employment is expected to be between 105,100 and 155,200 CAD per Year.

However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and / or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and / or other benefits.

Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an 'at-will position' and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department / team performance, and market factors.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.