Destiny AI Designer (Senior to Staff) at Bungie

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Hybrid / Bungie-Approved Remote Locations

Are you looking for the challenge of creating great gameplay and player experiences? Can you imagine bringing to life characters that react, respond, and adapt to player’s actions? Do you relish the idea that combat encounters can play out differently each time the player takes on the same mission? Do you believe AI-driven characters should rely on their senses, just like the player does? If so, you just might be the ideal candidate to become Bungie’s next AI Designer.

As an AI Designer, you will be responsible for taking the initial ideas for a combatant and converting them into fully-realized behaviors in the game. AI Designers are tasked with writing all of the scripts that will handle the behavior structure for the combatants. You will balance combatant strength against player weapons and difficulty levels, and then working closely with the World Designers to craft specific experiences for many of the moments in the game.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Drive AI features and development of design decisions with partner teams
Validate of gameplay features through Bungie IP and Franchise standards
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of content creators and engineers to create memorable AI experiences
Proactively solicit feedback from stakeholders, and constantly upgrade your ideas and implementations based on that feedback
Use Bungie's in-house character creation and data editing tools to create new behaviors, characters, weapons, attacks, and abilities
Fine-tune data for enemies to get the challenge level right for a wide variety of situations in both solo and group play
Troubleshoot, debug, and fix AI behavior and performances

For Staff level candidates, in addition to the above responsibilities, we are targeting:

Mentors and guides best practices and craft of more junior designers
Works closely with Leads to help refine and drive vision for AI

REQUIRED SKILLS

Intuitive understanding of what makes a combatant a memorable experience and what players are looking for when they fight them
Effective communication skills and a deep desire to work closely with other disciplines
Able to break down what is not working on a character and the ability to convert that knowledge into realistic methods to solve issues
Experience scripting or code
Enemy AI or related experience on a shipped, high quality, combat-focused game
Understanding anticipation, follow through, character and timing

NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS

Solid understanding of the game development process
Mission Design experience, especially how a Mission Designer converts a group of combatants into a fun and memorable encounter
A background in Animation
Experience managing or mentoring other designers
Experience leading a cross-disciplinary team

Listed below are the two base pay ranges associated with this role at multiple levels. In other locations that Bungie has approved for remote work, this pay range may be adjusted up to +/- 10% and some roles may be classified as non-exempt (hourly).

This range is determined by an array of factors, including training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. Additionally, it is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

In the journey to make incredible worlds, Bungie employees don't simply do meaningful work - they receive meaningful support. Competitive salaries and discretionary bonus opportunities are just the start. We offer comprehensive healthcare coverage, generous 401(k) matching, flexible time off policies, paid parental leave, social clubs, and so much more. Check out our benefits page: Benefits - Bungie Careers to see all the perks that come with joining Bungie.

Bellevue Pay Range I

$132,000—$158,000 USD

Bellevue Pay Range II

$160,000—$189,000 USD

Bungie full-time (non-contract) employees in the U.S. also receive:

20 days of accrued time-off in the form of PTO and sabbatical days, depending on the level of the position
10 paid Floating Days annually, prorated in the first year of employment based on start date
10 paid Bungie-observed holidays annually
One hour of Paid Sick Time (PST) for every 30 hours worked

Contract and International FTE employees receive competitive benefits through their relevant contracting agency.

So you don't meet every requirement listed in this job description? Do you think your experience level is not where it needs to be? Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification. Bungie is focused on building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. If you're interested in this position but your past experience doesn't line up perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we want you to apply anyway. The right role for you may be right around the corner!

Most Bungie full-time employees will adopt a digital first approach allowing remote work in Bungie approved locations (outside of positions identified as 100% onsite in Bellevue/Seattle, or individuals preferring a hybrid/flex environment). Prospective full-time employees located outside of CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NY, OR, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, or WI will need to establish residency in one of the states we are compliant in within 45 days of a start date. Contractors will follow a digital first approach adhering to the location guidelines agreed upon by our third-party employer/vendor and Bungie. Bungie’s remote policy is subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Estimated Salary range:

Our salary intelligence, powered by our AI algorithms, has calculated an estimated range for this position between $90,000 - $150,000 . Please note that the actual salary for this position may vary, as it is dependent on various factors including but not limited to experience, location, and market dynamics.

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