Gameplay Programmer (AI / Enemy Systems)
Design / Tokyo, Japan
Experience Level
Must have contributed to at least one shipped game title in a gameplay or AI programming role
About the Role
As a Gameplay Programmer at Savage Astronaut, you will help build the systems that define moment-to-moment gameplay. This role has a focus on enemy behaviors and combat interactions, but extends across core gameplay systems.
You’ll work on how enemies act, react, and interact with the player, thus shaping combat pacing, tension, and readability. At the same time, you’ll contribute to broader gameplay systems, ensuring everything works together cleanly in a multiplayer environment.
This role requires both strong implementation skills and an understanding of player experience. You’ll collaborate closely with designers to prototype, iterate, and refine gameplay into something responsive, readable, and satisfying.
You Will
Implement core gameplay systems, including combat interactions and player abilities
Design and implement AI systems and behaviors for enemies and NPCs
Build, customize, and refine decision-making systems alongside the designers (state trees, behavior trees, state machines, or equivalent)
Create combat behaviors that are readable, responsive, and engaging
Collaborate closely with designers to prototype and iterate on enemy mechanics
Develop tools and workflows that allow designers to tune and expand behaviors
Ensure gameplay systems are multiplayer-safe and perform well under network conditions
Optimize AI performance and ensure stability across gameplay scenarios
Contribute to the overall architecture of gameplay and AI systems
We’re Looking For Someone Who
Actively plays and understands competitive multiplayer games
Is comfortable working across both general gameplay systems and enemy behaviors
Thinks about gameplay from the player’s perspective
Understands how enemy behavior impacts combat flow and decision-making
Can build systems that are flexible and easy for designers to iterate on
Values clean, maintainable code and solid technical foundations
Collaborates well with a small autonomous team and can translate gameplay intent into implementation
Is comfortable iterating quickly and refining ideas through feedback and playtesting
Brings ideas and technical perspective to improve gameplay systems
Is proactive, communicative, and comfortable taking ownership
Bonus Points
Experience working on action or combat-focused games
Experience designing combat systems or player abilities
Experience with multiplayer gameplay systems
Experience tuning gameplay for readability and player feedback
Experience working in Unreal Engine or similar tools
Required Documents
CV
Portfolio (must include design work and process)
Work Samples
CV should include:
Projects you have worked on, with your specific gameplay programming contributions clearly described
Systems you implemented (gameplay, AI, combat, tools, etc.)
Engines, languages, and technologies used, and how you used them
Experience collaborating with designers and other disciplines
Please also include (if available):
Code samples or repositories demonstrating gameplay systems
Breakdowns of systems or enemy behaviors you implemented
Videos or builds showcasing gameplay interactions
Employment Status
Contract Employee (possibility of promotion to Permanent Employee)
Location
Hybrid / Tokyo, Japan
Work Hours
10:00 – 19:00 or Discretionary Labor System
Standard hours begin at 10:00, but exact working style will be discussed individually
Salary
Annual Salary (Negotiable)
Compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and our internal salary framework
Benefits
Social Insurance
Transportation Expenses Covered
Salary Review System
Annual Health Checkups
Corporate Defined Contribution Pension Plan (for permanent employees)
Interested in this role and think you’re a good fit? Apply below!
