Senior AI Gameplay Programmer (Contract)

Combat Waffle Studios is looking for a

Senior AI Gameplay Programmer

to own and build enemy AI systems for our VR titles. This is an

ongoing contract role

for someone who’s comfortable working independently, making strong technical decisions, and shipping real gameplay.

You’ll be joining an experienced dev team, but you’ll be

the primary (and only) engineer focused on AI , with a lot of autonomy over how systems are designed and implemented.

What You’ll Do

Design and implement

enemy AI systems

for VR games

Build AI behaviors using

C++ in Unreal Engine

Collaborate with designers, gameplay engineers, and art to ensure AI feels fun, readable, and performant in VR

Iterate on AI based on playtesting and feedback

Own AI features end-to-end, from prototyping to production-ready systems

Must-Have Experience

Strong Unreal Engine experience

(this is non-negotiable)

6+ years of professional game development experience

Proven experience building

AI systems for enemies or NPCs

Ability to work independently and self-direct in a senior role

Nice-to-Have (Not Required)

Previous industry experience working on AI specifically for VR games

Familiarity with common Unreal AI tools (Behavior Trees, EQS, etc.)

This Role Is a Good Fit If You:

Are a

highly motivated self-starter

Enjoy owning a system rather than just contributing small pieces

Are comfortable working with minimal handholding

Like solving gameplay problems and making AI feel good, not just “correct”

Contract & Compensation

Contractors do not receive structured benefits

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