Senior Enemy AI Engineer

Important Details

Level: Senior

Type: Contract / Freelance (with potential long-term collaboration)

Location: North America, South America, or Europe

Engine: Unreal Engine 5.7

Project: Co-op Horror Puzzle Adventure (PC)

Mode: Fully Remote

This is a short-term project, and we fully support candidates who wish to combine it with an existing job. We value reliability, communication, and high-quality craftsmanship.

Overview

We are developing a psychologically driven horror game with systemic, emergent enemy behavior. Important note that this is a multiplayer game.

Enemies are not scripted encounters. They are layered AI entities built from independent behavior modules, explicit sensor systems, and environmental rules such as light, observation, footsteps, and player states.

We are looking for a Senior AI Engineer with deep specialization in enemy behavior architecture, not a general gameplay programmer.

Role & Responsibilities

You will design and implement a scalable enemy AI architecture that supports:

• 3 Enemy types
• 2 variants or modifier of each enemy type
• 4 Global level modifiers
• Explicit sensor channels: Vision, Sound, Steps
• A fully separate, query-based Light System

Key Responsibilities

• Design modular AI architecture with independent layers
• Translate psychological and abstract behavior concepts into gameplay logic
• Implement complex state-driven and rule-driven enemy behaviors
• Ensure deterministic behavior during cutscenes and scripted moments
• Build anti-exploit systems using delays, hysteresis, and cooldowns
• Collaborate closely with game design on behavior tuning and edge cases

Behavior Systems You Will Work On

• Observation-based behaviors (freeze, slow down, sudden charge)
• Light-driven logic (attraction, avoidance, anchoring to light zones)
• Footstep-only detection separate from noise or voice
• Possession mechanics where players become threats to teammates
• Non-standard traversal (wall-walking, ceiling movement, alternative navigation)

Core Technical Requirements (Must-Have)

You must have strong experience with:

• Enemy AI architecture supporting complex behavior combinations
• Finite State Machines and/or Behavior Trees with custom extensions
• AI perception systems with explicit sensor separation
• LOS and FOV systems with dynamic modifiers
• Debuggable and inspectable AI systems with clear states and transitions

Important Notes

• This role focuses on AI systems, not scripting individual encounters
• We do not use monolithic behavior trees or hard-coded per-level logic
• Light, perception, and behavior layers must remain independent

Additional BIG plus

• Can suggest system and optimize speed of production

Timezone note:

We are currently only considering candidates based in North America, South America, or Europe due to timezone overlap.

About Inoutbox

At InOutBox, we bring a refreshing perspective to game development, and we believe it's high time to rewrite the rules of the game. Our motto is simple yet profound: Players first. We are not just game developers; we are passionate gamers building games for gamers.

Our journey begins with a commitment to put players at the heart of everything we do. We understand that games should be about the players' enjoyment, their epic adventures, and their unforgettable moments. We're rewriting the script to ensure that every player feels like the true protagonist of our games.

We're not just another game company; we're a community. Open development is our anthem. We actively listen to players, openly share insights and updates, and engage in a two-way dialogue to understand everyone's needs and aspirations. We're charting a course to create games that genuinely resonate with you, our fellow adventurers.

Passion for games courses through our veins. We're not just passionate developers; we're fervent gamers with a deep love for the craft. Our commitment to transparency, player-centricity, and creativity is unwavering. We're in this for the long haul, and we invite you to join us on this extraordinary gaming journey. Together, we'll make every game a legendary experience.