Senior AI Programmer

Since 2016, Sumo Nottingham has been known for crafting inclusive, innovative action and racing titles for console and PC. Bringing together industry veterans with the best new talent in the industry, the studio delivered Team Sonic Racing in 2019 and is now working on a diverse and exciting mix of new projects – including the upcoming The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

The studio’s vision is to create AAA games with innovation, character and accessibility at their very core – strengths that have seen them named as one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ in the Best Companies regional table for the East Midlands.

Day in the Life of a Senior AI Programmer at Sumo Nottingham:

As a Senior AI Programmer at Sumo Nottingham, you will be involved with an exciting new project from the beginning, looking to bring your AI expertise to multiple game modes to engage players with exciting experiences. You will work closely with Code Leadership to plan, estimate, and write high-quality performant AI code, as well as the Game and Level Designers, to review gameplay feature specifications and provide AI-specific insights where possible.

You will be responsible for prototyping and implementing impactful and intelligent NPC and Bot gameplay features and systems (pathfinding, movement, team logic, goal planning, memory, knowledge, crowds, targeting, etc.). You will also investigate bugs or issues in AI systems when encountered and mentor less experienced coders in your area of expertise, sharing knowledge and best practices.

What You Need To Do This Job:

• Experience in AI systems development.
• Passion for AI, games, and games technology.
• Excellent C/C++ programming skills.
• Ability to think critically and apply analytical skills to solve complex issues.
• Experience with Unreal Engine – training will be provided if they do not have prior experience.

The Interview Process:

The interview process will consist of 3 stages:

1st Stage: a chat with the Studio Technical Director, and another member of the programming team

2nd Stage: a take-home technical test (depending on experience)

3rd Stage: a final, more technical focussed interview, with more of the programming team

• This is a rough outline of the interview process and could change in certain circumstances.

What’s in it for you?

Sumo also offers a highly personable benefits package which has something for everyone, no matter where you are in your career.

Financial: Annual bonus, flexible benefits allowance, salary sacrifice pension, benefits hub, payroll giving, an employee referral scheme (up to £3,000), financial/home buying consultations, workplace ISA and other schemes for tech loans, car loan and bicycles.

Work-life Balance: Flexible working, 21 free choice days holiday (increasing to 22 with service), bank holidays, birthday day off, a duvet day (increasing to 4 with service), Christmas shutdown (Christmas Eve to New Year) and options to buy or sell up to a week of annual leave*.

Health and Wellbeing: Dental insurance, income protection, life assurance, BUPA private healthcare*, leading EAP programs (remote GP, mental health, physio, nutrition, lifestyle coaching and medical second opinions, critical illness cover*, health cash plan*, gym (paid membership) and funded flu vaccines/eye tests.

Personal Development: Structured My Development tool, regular appraisals, annual salary reviews, access to Udemy learning platform, 5+ learning days per annum (1 can be used as a volunteer day), award-winning L&D team and yearly attendance to the Sumo Developers Conference ( link to video ).

Extra Perks: A variety of in-studio perks, regular care packages, studio days out (family welcome), studio-led social activities (game jams, yoga, quizzes, life drawing and more), sabbaticals (at 10 years service) and annual gaming subscription.

• Opt-in benefits (part of our flexible benefits options).

Inclusion And Belonging At Sumo Digital:

We are dedicated to growing a sustainable business that provides security to our people while delivering a first-class experience to our partners and players.

As a people business, the success of our people is the success of our company. We prioritise taking care of them with a focus on supporting them, nurturing their talent and providing a healthy, friendly, enriching, creative and safe environment in which to work.

Sumo’s employee diversity group, PRISM, exists to promote diversity, inclusion, equity, equality & wellbeing across the company and plays a key role in Sumo’s ongoing goal of fostering environments where all employees feel safe, welcome & represented.

Our charitable and community initiatives provide support for meaningful causes that matter to our employees, clients and partners.

We continue to work to improve diversity in our recruitment and promotion processes, and to actively encourage people from marginalised groups to consider a career in the games industry.