Principal Research Programmer, Unreal Assistant
About this role
The Unreal Engine programming team at Epic Games builds tools and engine technology that empower content developers worldwide, focusing on real-time entertainment and interactive experiences. The incoming Principal Research Programmer will design and ship full-stack systems that integrate large language models directly into Unreal Engine, working on everything from engine-side tooling to cloud services and web front ends. This position exists to drive technical direction for LLM-driven automation, evaluate emerging artificial intelligence capabilities, and mentor teammates on game engine internals and system design. Candidates who thrive here typically combine deep software engineering expertise in game engines with practical experience building products powered by language models and cloud infrastructure.
Working in Vancouver, British Columbia, the selected individual will handle the design and extension of cloud-hosted agent harnesses, database architectures, and editor scripting. Collaboration happens closely with engine, tools, and backend programmers to deliver reliable and safe automation features for developers. Professionals who possess a strong software programming background, versatility across C++ and backend languages, and a collaborative mindset will find a strong fit within this engineering group.
What you will do
- Design and build LLM-driven agents and tools that operate directly inside Unreal Engine using C++ and Python tooling.
- Extend cloud-hosted agent harnesses, services, and databases that mediate between language models and the game engine.
- Deliver end-to-end features spanning engine tooling, cloud backends, and web user interfaces.
- Evaluate and integrate emerging LLM capabilities such as tool use, multi-agent orchestration, and context management into pipeline tooling.
- Define technical direction regarding the reliability, safety, and evaluation of LLM-driven engine automation.
- Partner closely with engine, tools, and backend programmers while mentoring others on game engine internals and LLM system design.
What you need
- Possess a strong software programming background with hands-on experience in a game engine, with Unreal Engine strongly preferred.
- Demonstrate practical experience building or shipping LLM-powered products or show a strong conceptual understanding of how language models work.
- Bring experience with cloud-native services and infrastructure, including web APIs, databases, and service architecture.
- Exhibit excellent programming skills across C++ for engine-side work and Python or a web backend language.
- Demonstrate the ability to work full-stack and reason through tradeoffs across engine code, backend services, and web front ends.
- Communicate effectively with excellent written and verbal skills.
- Hold a Bachelor or Master of Science in Computer Science or a related field.
Benefits
- 100% employer-paid benefits for employees and dependents covering supplemental medical, dental, vision, critical illness, and telemedicine
- Life and AD&D, long term insurance, and weekly indemnity short term disability coverage
- Retirement savings plan with a competitive employer match
- Employee assistance program alongside a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health providing free therapy and coaching
- Eligible to participate in discretionary incentive programs
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the expected salary range for this role?
The expected annual base pay range for individuals working within British Columbia is $274,049 to $401,939 CAD. Compensation varies based on factors such as skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience.
What technologies and languages will I work with?
The role requires programming across C++ for engine-side development, Python or a web backend language, and working with cloud-native services, web APIs, databases, and Unreal Engine tooling.
What kind of benefits are provided?
Epic pays 100% for benefits for both employees and dependents, covering supplemental medical, dental, vision, critical illness, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, and a retirement savings plan with an employer match.
Who will I be working with on the team?
You will partner closely with engine, tools, and backend programmers, as well as mentor others on game engine internals and LLM system design.