absurdventures

We are seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to help shape the future of content systems and real-time gameplay using cutting-edge machine learning techniques. As Senior Machine Learning Engineer , you will work alongside gameplay engineers, producers, designers, and artists to integrate intelligent, adaptive systems for our toolchain and in the realtime game. You will be a key player in evolving how our games are built and experienced. Core Responsibilities - Work with team leads to develop and implement a machine learning (ML) strategy to maximize the potential to enhance our workflow and game systems. Educate the team on what is possible with ML. - Design and deploy LLM techniques, including agentic workflow and toolchain enhancements. - Build pipelines that train on gameplay data and deploy models optimized for real-time inference. Research and implement on-device small language and other local models for scalable incorporation of ML features in the live game experience. - Partner with design and gameplay teams to prototype and test ML-powered features such as smart NPC behaviors, simulation approximation and dynamic adaptive environments. - Analyze gameplay telemetry to train models that enhance engagement, retention, and personalization. - Develop internal tools using ML to streamline workflows for production, art, animation, or audio pipelines within Unreal Engine. - Stay current with ML and real-time AI trends and ensure performance scalability across platforms. - Mentor other engineers and promote best practices in integrating ML techniques. Core Qualifications - 5+ years of machine learning experience, with at least 2 years integrating models into real-time or interactive environments. - Strong C++ programming experience . - Proficient in Python and ML libraries such as PyTorch or TensorFlow. - Familiarity with training and deploying models for real-time inference with GPU/CPU constraints in mind. - Understanding of supervised and unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and generative models. - Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related field. Plus If - Experience with the Unreal Engine toolset (Blueprints, plugins, editor scripting, etc.). - Experience building or using ML tools in a game development context. - Knowledge of generative models (e.g. Diffusion, GANs, MCPs) for workflow augmentation. Description - Full-time job with benefits. - Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA. - Office is located near downtown Santa Monica – near metro and freeways. The base pay range for this position is $165,000 to $200,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

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. We are looking for someone who is excited by the unique challenges of open world AI systems and who loves working in a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment. Core Responsibilities - Design, implement, and maintain AI systems, features, and tools that support a dynamic and reactive open world. - Collaborate with design, animation, and gameplay teams to prototype, iterate, and deliver new AI behaviors, abilities, and systemic interactions. - Develop and support AI authoring tools that enable designers to efficiently create, test, and tune behaviors at scale. - Build performant, well-architected C++ systems optimized for large-scale simulation and open-world streaming. - Debug and optimize AI performance across multiple platforms, ensuring stability, scalability, and responsiveness. - Contribute to long-term technical planning for AI systems, including architecture, workflow improvements, and new technology initiatives. - Provide technical mentorship and support to designers and other developers who use the AI systems you build. - Collaborate with technical leaders to uphold engineering best practices, coding standards, and documentation quality. Core Qualifications - 1+ year of professional experience working in Unreal Engine. - 5+ years of professional experience working on large scale games. - Strong working knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 AI tools and systems, such as the following: - Navigation (NavMesh) - Behavior Trees - State Trees - EQS - Perception System - AI Controllers, Blackboards, and related frameworks - Expertise in modern C++ with strong software architecture, debugging, and optimization skills. - Proven ability to design complex systems that are scalable, maintainable, and content-friendly. - Demonstrated experience collaborating across departments and leading cross-functional initiatives involving design, animation, and gameplay engineering. - Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, solution-oriented mindset. Plus If... - Experience building AI for open-world, systemic, or sandbox games. - Familiarity with Mass Entity, crowd systems, or large-scale AI simulation. - Knowledge of animation systems (Montages, Motion Matching, Control Rig) and how they intersect with AI behavior. - Experience developing AI debugging tools or in-editor visualization tools. - Background in machine learning, utility systems, or experimental AI techniques. - Passion for emergent gameplay, systemic design, and building living worlds. Description - Full time job with benefits. - Role is on-site in San Rafael, CA. - Office is located near downtown San Rafael – near transit stations and freeways. The base pay range for this position is $160,000 to $190,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.