Senior Level Independent Game Developer Jobs
Senior level independent game developer jobs place experienced developers at the helm of creative direction, technical architecture, and the cross-functional teams that ship finished titles. Opportunities cover 16% remote and hybrid settings across Technology & Software, Science & Research, and Banking & Financial Services, with employers like Riot Games, Riot Games, and Worldscape hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 20+ Senior Level Independent Game Developer jobs
Who We Are:
Ghost Story Games is a self-publishing game development studio founded by Ken Levine (Creative Director of System Shock 2, Bioshock, and Bioshock Infinite) and former Irrational Games developers. The studio's mission is to create narrative-driven experiences rooted in immersive world building and gameplay.
The Challenge
Ghost Story Games is seeking a talented remote Principal Game AI Engineer to join us on Judas, the highly anticipated game led by Ken Levine (System Shock 2, BioShock series). Unique in its bold, creative vision, Judas is also built upon novel technology by which the visual world, gameplay, and story unfolds in meaningful, dynamic ways. The result is a significant and personal journey adapted to each player's experience and offers a new approach to the art and storytelling of video games.
We are seeking a Principal Game AI Engineer to focus on the finalization and polish of our AI behaviors and systems. In this critical role, you will take ownership of bringing our AI systems to a "shipping-ready" state, ensuring the enemies within Judas react and behave in believable, compelling ways. Beyond technical implementation, you are expected to work closely with our design and animation teams to tune these systems and guarantee the best possible player experience.
The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of shipping games as an AI Game Engineer, pairing strong technical abilities with a deep passion for player experience.
What You'll Take On:
- You will own the implementation, hardening, and polish of AI behaviors and systems to shipping quality.
- You will collaborate closely with design, animation, and other disciplines to iterate on AI features, ensuring they support the creative vision and deliver an exceptional player experience.
- You will ensure the quality and stability of critical AI systems, taking responsibility for delivering highly reliable behaviors.
What You Bring:
- Extensive Unreal Engine 4 and/or Unreal Engine 5 experience.
- Deep experience with modern game AI architecture (Behavior Trees, pathfinding, perception systems)
- Experience with modern animation techniques like root motion, distance matching, motion warping, blend spaces, and state machines
- Strong knowledge of C++
- At least one shipped title working primarily on game AI, preferably a AAA title in the action and/or FPS genre
- Ability to quickly understand existing code and enhance/extend an existing architecture
Great to Have:
- Experience with closing down heavily dynamic and/or procedural systems.
- Support build automation processes as needed.
- C#/Python/Blueprint experience.
The pay range for this position in Massachusetts at the start of employment is expected to be between $180,000 and $210,000 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an ~at-will position~ and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
When Applying For This Position:
Please watch the following GDC talk given by Ken Levine: http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1020434/Narrative
Please be aware that Ghost Story does not conduct job interviews or make job offers over third-party messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or others. Ghost Story also does not engage in any financial exchanges during the recruitment or onboarding process, and the Ghost Story will never ask a candidate for their personal or financial information over an app or other unofficial chat channel. Any attempt to do so may be the result of a scam or phishing exercise. Ghost Story's in-house recruitment team will only contact individuals through their official Ghost Story email addresses (i.e., via a ghoststorygames.com email domain). If you need to report an issue or otherwise have questions, please contact Careers@ghoststorygames.com
As an equal opportunity employer, Ghost Story Games, LLC ("Ghost Story") is committed to fostering and celebrating the diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds of its talent, partners, and communities throughout its organization. Consistent with this commitment, Ghost Story does not discriminate or retaliate against any employee or job applicant because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, and genetic information (including family medical history), or on the basis of any other trait protected by applicable law. If you need to report a concern or have questions regarding Ghost Story's equal opportunity commitment, please contact Careers@ghoststorygames.com.
Who We Are:
Ghost Story Games is a self-publishing game development studio founded by Ken Levine (Creative Director of System Shock 2, Bioshock, and Bioshock Infinite) and former Irrational Games developers. The studio's mission is to create narrative-driven experiences rooted in immersive world building and gameplay.
The Challenge
Ghost Story Games is seeking a talented remote Principal Game AI Engineer to join us on Judas, the highly anticipated game led by Ken Levine (System Shock 2, BioShock series). Unique in its bold, creative vision, Judas is also built upon novel technology by which the visual world, gameplay, and story unfolds in meaningful, dynamic ways. The result is a significant and personal journey adapted to each player's experience and offers a new approach to the art and storytelling of video games.
We are seeking a Principal Game AI Engineer to focus on the finalization and polish of our AI behaviors and systems. In this critical role, you will take ownership of bringing our AI systems to a "shipping-ready" state, ensuring the enemies within Judas react and behave in believable, compelling ways. Beyond technical implementation, you are expected to work closely with our design and animation teams to tune these systems and guarantee the best possible player experience.
The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of shipping games as an AI Game Engineer, pairing strong technical abilities with a deep passion for player experience.
What You'll Take On:
- You will own the implementation, hardening, and polish of AI behaviors and systems to shipping quality.
- You will collaborate closely with design, animation, and other disciplines to iterate on AI features, ensuring they support the creative vision and deliver an exceptional player experience.
- You will ensure the quality and stability of critical AI systems, taking responsibility for delivering highly reliable behaviors.
What You Bring:
- Extensive Unreal Engine 4 and/or Unreal Engine 5 experience.
- Deep experience with modern game AI architecture (Behavior Trees, pathfinding, perception systems)
- Experience with modern animation techniques like root motion, distance matching, motion warping, blend spaces, and state machines
- Strong knowledge of C++
- At least one shipped title working primarily on game AI, preferably a AAA title in the action and/or FPS genre
- Ability to quickly understand existing code and enhance/extend an existing architecture
Great to Have:
- Experience with closing down heavily dynamic and/or procedural systems.
- Support build automation processes as needed.
- C#/Python/Blueprint experience.
The pay range for this position in Massachusetts at the start of employment is expected to be between $180,000 and $210,000 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an ~at-will position~ and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
When Applying For This Position:
Please watch the following GDC talk given by Ken Levine: http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1020434/Narrative
Please be aware that Ghost Story does not conduct job interviews or make job offers over third-party messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or others. Ghost Story also does not engage in any financial exchanges during the recruitment or onboarding process, and the Ghost Story will never ask a candidate for their personal or financial information over an app or other unofficial chat channel. Any attempt to do so may be the result of a scam or phishing exercise. Ghost Story's in-house recruitment team will only contact individuals through their official Ghost Story email addresses (i.e., via a ghoststorygames.com email domain). If you need to report an issue or otherwise have questions, please contact Careers@ghoststorygames.com
As an equal opportunity employer, Ghost Story Games, LLC ("Ghost Story") is committed to fostering and celebrating the diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds of its talent, partners, and communities throughout its organization. Consistent with this commitment, Ghost Story does not discriminate or retaliate against any employee or job applicant because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, and genetic information (including family medical history), or on the basis of any other trait protected by applicable law. If you need to report a concern or have questions regarding Ghost Story's equal opportunity commitment, please contact Careers@ghoststorygames.com.
See All 20 Senior Level Independent Game Developer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior Level Independent Game Developer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Riot Games13
- Worldscape2
- Xsolla1
- Netflix1
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software18
- Science & Research1
- Banking & Financial Services1
Senior Level Independent Game Developer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level independent game developer job?
At the senior level, employers look beyond coding ability to ownership and impact. Candidates stand out by demonstrating shipped titles or major features they personally led, a deep specialization in an engine or genre, and a history of mentoring junior developers. A portfolio that shows decision-making under real constraints, not just polished output, is what moves candidates to the top of the shortlist.
Which companies hire senior level independent game developers?
Companies hiring senior level independent game developers right now include Riot Games, Riot Games, and Worldscape, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from established indie studios, mid-size publishers expanding their internal teams, and technology companies building interactive or simulation products that require senior-level creative and technical ownership.
Are there remote senior level independent game developer jobs?
Yes, remote work is well established at this level. About 16% of senior level independent game developer openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the distributed nature of game development studios and the expectation that senior developers can lead and collaborate effectively without being on-site full time.
What makes an independent game developer role senior level?
Senior independent game developer roles are defined by scope and accountability rather than task execution. Developers at this level own systems end to end, make architectural decisions that affect the whole project, and are responsible for mentoring mid and junior team members. They are expected to identify problems before they escalate, advocate for technical direction, and deliver results with minimal oversight.
Which industries hire the most senior level independent game developers?
Senior level independent game developer roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Science & Research, and Banking & Financial Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring because they require the depth of experience and cross-disciplinary leadership that only senior developers bring to complex, long-horizon production cycles.