Software Engineer, Gameplay, NPC - StarCraft | Irvine, CA

Team Name: StarCraft Job Title: Software Engineer, Gameplay, NPC - StarCraft | Irvine, CA Requisition ID: R028141 Job Description: Your Mission Blizzard Entertainment is assembling a team to build the next chapter of StarCraft, returning to a universe forged in interstellar war. This mission offers something new: crafting an original story-driven, open-world shooter while honoring the legacy of one of Blizzard's most beloved games.

We are here to reignite this universe alongside you. We are here to make StarCraft, and it's about damn time. We are looking for a Gameplay Engineer, NPC to help craft this new game for Blizzard. As a key member of the development team, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality NPC gameplay systems that create compelling player experiences and bring characters and creatures to life within a living world.

You are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, navigating fluid deadlines and changing priorities with purpose. This role offers a hybrid work week, with a mix of work-from-home and on-site days, based out of our Irvine studio. Responsibilities   Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:  Design, develop, and maintain gameplay systems that power NPC behaviors and interactions.

Implement scalable NPC gameplay features that support a wide variety of gameplay scenarios. Collaborate with designers, animators, artists, and engineers to create engaging NPC experiences. Develop tools, workflows, and debugging solutions that enable efficient content creation and iteration. Optimize and improve gameplay performance, stability, and maintainability of NPC systems. Partner with AI, animation, and gameplay teams to deliver polished character interactions and behaviors.

Prototype new gameplay features and rapidly evaluate their effectiveness through iteration and playtesting. Investigate, diagnose, and resolve gameplay and NPC-related issues throughout development. Contribute to technical design discussions and help establish engineering best practices. Support a culture of collaboration, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement across disciplines. Minimum Requirements   Experience   Minimum 5 years of professional gameplay programming experience in the game industry.

Experience developing gameplay systems using C++. Experience shipping or contributing to a commercial game title. Experience working closely with cross-functional development teams. Proven ability to work collaboratively within teams and foster productive partnerships across all departments. Demonstrated ability to inspire colleagues through an enthusiastic approach to game development and a commitment to continuous improvement of core skills.

Ability to take initiative and manage responsibilities independently, demonstrating strong ownership and accountability. Experienced and knowledgeable player of a wide range of games and able to use this expertise to enhance creative decisions in game development. Knowledge & Skills   Strong proficiency in C++ software development. Experience implementing gameplay features in Unreal Engine.

Understanding of NPC architecture, state machines, behavior systems, navigation, and character interactions. Experience debugging and optimizing gameplay systems in large-scale codebases. Knowledge of software engineering principles, including maintainability, scalability, and performance. Experience collaborating with design and content creation teams Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Effective verbal and written communication skills. Key Attributes   A passion for gameplay development and creating memorable player experiences. A team-oriented approach to solving technical and design challenges. A growth mindset and willingness to learn new technologies and development practices. The ability to balance technical excellence with pract