Lead AI Designer; Apex Legends

Lead AI Designer (Apex Legends) –
Respawn Entertainment

Electronic Arts creates next‑level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

• Define the creative and technical vision for AI design (enemy, ally, training and NPC behaviors) across all modes of Apex Legends
• Lead the cross‑disciplinary AI team to execute that creative vision across all Apex gameplay experiences and modes
• Design and tune AI systems including perception, combat logic, navigation, coordination, and decision‑making frameworks.
• Establish reusable AI archetypes, behavior trees, and encounter templates that support a range of combat scenarios.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of AI designers; provide clear goals, feedback, and support career development.
• Collaborate cross‑discipline with engineering, animation, and level design to ensure AI systems integrate smoothly into the overall player experience.
• Own the quality of AI combat and systemic behaviors, ensuring they meet performance, difficulty, and fun targets.
• Collaborate with partner teams (User Research/Analytics/Playtests) to optimize the AI experience
• Work in a live game environment partnering with production to plan and manage a live service development schedule and release plan.

• 7+ years of professional game design experience, with at least 2 shipped AAA titles (preferably shooters or action games).
• Live service development experience is an asset but not required
• Deep understanding of combat AI, behavior systems and group coordination in shooter gameplay.
• Proven experience designing AI for FPS or third‑person shooters
• Experience with AI scripting tools, visual behavior trees, and debugging environments.
• Strong cross‑disciplinary communication skills and a track record of collaborating effectively with engineering and animation teams.
• Passion for emergent gameplay, player agency, and creating AI that feels alive and reactive.
• Quality‑first mentality. No ego, just a commitment to get to the best quality experience in‑game.

The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).

• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) — $130,800 - $183,000 CAD
• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) — $150,100 - $228,000 USD

In the U.S., we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full‑time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

In British Columbia, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top‑up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full‑time employees.

Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law.

EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.