Senior AI Programmer

Job content

Specialising in AAA PC, console and cloud gaming development, Red Kite has a proven track record in the creation of cutting-edge games across varying genres.

Having set up home in the beautiful Grade-II listed Park Row House in Leeds city centre, Red Kite continues to develop top-quality games for multiple world-class AAA publishing partners such as Microsoft, Sony, Activision, 2K, SEGA, Epic Games, Warner Bros. 505, Remedy, Rare and Codemasters.

Several titles include Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, Hogwarts Legacy, Mafia: Definitive Edition, Mafia III: Definitive Edition, Control Ultimate Edition, Two Point Hospital, Knockout City, Battletoads, Crackdown 3, Payday 2, Team Sonic Racing, DiRT 4 and God of War III: Remastered.

Here’s What We Can Tell You About

It’s a very exciting time to join Red Kite; not only are we working on multiple high-profile games for current-gen and new-gen platforms, we’re also developing our own IP.

• We’re helping to develop Hogwarts Legacy with the teams at Warner Bros. and Avalanche Software
• We’re partnered with Mediatonic working on the smash-hit, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
• We’re working on a new PvE 1st person shooter based on an award-winning IP for new gen-platforms
• We’re working on an unannounced, high-profile AAA 1st person shooter for new-gen platforms in UE5
  

One of the most interesting aspects to working at Red Kite is the diversity of projects present within the studio. It’s certainly never boring and we constantly find ourselves pushing the boundaries when it comes to the gameplay that we’re creating and the technologies that we’re engineering.

Come join the team, build a rewarding career, and help to make great games with a lovely bunch of people!

The Role @ Red Kite Games

We are looking for a Senior AI Programmer to join us on an exciting new and recognised titles. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in directly contributing to the game’s "behaviour."

In this highly collaborative role, you will develop AI features and systems from the ground up. You will contribute to the programming team’s collective knowledge and help to architect, plan and troubleshoot development, in order to deliver on the high-level vision for the game.

As an AI Programmer working with the project’s Technical Leadership, you will help to create and maintain best practices for the AI systems. In this role, you will champion quality across the project and collaborate with all disciplines in the delivery of an exciting AAA games.

You will join an experienced group of talented developers who share a passion for creating AAA quality games. Your skills and perspective will complement a team built on transparency, trust, and integrity; a team who are not afraid to challenge ourselves in the pursuit of excellence.

In Your New Role You Will

• Work closely with Code Leadership to plan, estimate, and write high-quality performant AI code
• Work closely with Game and Level Designers, reviewing gameplay feature specifications and provide AI-specific insights where possible
• Prototype and implement impactful and intelligent NPC and Bot gameplay features and systems (path finding, movement, team logic, goal planning, memory, knowledge, crowds, targeting, etc.)
• Design, write and test efficient code that meets and exceeds internal quality criteria
• Contribute to regular code reviews, championing code quality and best practices
  

To Be Successful You Will Have

• 3+ years games industry experience
• Excellent working knowledge of C++
• Experienced in developing advanced AI features and systems on at least one published title
• Experience with Behaviour Trees, Knowledge Representation, Pathing & Traversal Algorithms, Animation Blend Trees, etc.
• Understanding of what makes a game feel “smart”
• Be receptive to feedback, evolving Designs and iteration
• Excellent communication skills
  

Experience in any of these areas may be advantageous but not essential:

• Think critically and apply analytical skills in resolving complex issues
• Author technical designs
• Mentor less experienced programmers
• Have a deep interest in the field of game Artificial Intelligence
  

Red Kite is located in central Leeds, a major European city connected to London by rapid rail links and the M1 motorway – plus the rest of the world via Leeds Bradford airport. It’s home to some of the best restaurants, bars and museums in the North of England, and is within easy reach of spectacular countryside (the Yorkshire Moors and Bronte Country), historical York and the Yorkshire East coast (you should definitely check out Whitby and Runswick Bay).

We offer a superb flexible benefits package – which includes but is not limited to:

• Flexi-time – Including ’work from home and finish early on Fridays’
• Annual Bonus
• 27 Days Holiday (Minimum) – Including your birthday, Duvet Days and Christmas Eve
• 5 Learning & Development Days per year – Including Udemy Access
• Employee Assistance Programme – Including health, mental health and wellbeing support
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave
• Life Assurance & Income Protection
• Relocation Support & Visa Sponsorship
  

Nurturing Red Kite’s Studio Culture Is At The Heart Of Everything We Do And Has Been Proudly Recognised By The Following Awards

• GI.biz – Best Places to Work 2021
• Best Companies – A World Class, 3 Star place to work for 2021 & 2022
• TIGA STAR Award for excellence
  

Red Kite is a social studio – the team regularly gather for drinks, game nights, film nights, to play sports etc. – making this a great place to build a career whilst making friends...and let’s not forget Red Kite’s legendary Summer BBQ and our epic Christmas party – plus much more!

Red Kite’s studio is relaxed, friendly and built upon the belief that working smarter is better than working harder. Every team member has the opportunity to shine and we pride ourselves on providing a positive social atmosphere, facilitated by shared interest groups, afterwork clubs and charity fundraising events. Red Kite are proud supporters of the gaming charity SpecialEffect.

Ultimately we’re looking for talented individuals that love what they do and want to make friends doing it!