Principal Software Engineer, Gameplay AI | Unannounced Game

Team Name:

Job Title:Principal Software Engineer, Gameplay AI | Unannounced Game

Requisition ID:R024153

Job Description:

Blizzard is looking for a highly motivated and talented Senior Gameplay Engineer to help craft a new, unannounced game. Our team values creativity, collaboration, and a dedication to quality, and we are searching for contributors aligned to our core Blizzard values to add to our team of dedicated game makers. 

As a Principal Gameplay Engineer, you will work with designers and other engineers to boost an amazing player experience using AI/ML platforms/technologies to improve players’ in-game experience by providing timely appropriate tips. You will have a formative role in the exciting future we’re planning. You will also mentor earlier-career engineers in solving complex challenges and building strong habits for supporting a long-running game.

We value diverse voices and varied backgrounds, and we're looking for individuals to help us build fun, compelling, and inclusive gameplay, and experiences.

This role is a hybrid work position, with some work required to be on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio is Irvine, CA.

Responsibilities 

• Work closely with designers, product managers, and other engineers to build player copilot gameplay systems.

• Manage the intricacies of building a codebase focused on continuously delivering gameplay content as a large-scale live service with first-class support for mobile and PC

• Review feature requests to assess their feasibility, comprehensiveness in design, and associated risks

• Bolster the success of fellow team members by offering technical guidance, engaging in code reviews, and providing mentorship to junior team members

Requirements 

• Experience with implementing multiplayer game logic as a full-stack engineer working on both client and server software.

• Experience in machine learning engineering and/or AI research applied to real-world applications.

• Deep experience deploying and managing machine-learning models and data pipelines.

• High comfort level working in collaboration on a large, complex codebase.

• Dedication to delivering excellence to players and unlocking potential within the team.

• Able to communicate and collaborate effectively with artists, designers, and other engineers, both verbally and in writing.

Extra Points 

• Experience with competitive strategy games.

• Experience with AAA game engines, e.g. Unity, Unreal, etc.

• Experience with .NET 8

• Experience with mobile game development

• Experience supporting a large-scale live service

• Database development experience (e.g. Cassandra)

• Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related degree

• Familiarity with Blizzard’s game universes

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 [email protected]. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

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.