Senior Game Designer - AI & Encounters (Apex Legends)

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

About the role

We're hiring a Senior Game Designer – AI & Encounters to create engaging AI-driven combat encounters that elevate gameplay across Apex Legends. You will partner with multidisciplinary teams to design, implement, and refine encounters that deliver challenge, variety, and memorable player experiences while supporting the game's long-term vision.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, tune, and iterate on AI encounters from initial concept through implementation and once live.
• Create encounter scenarios that support gameplay, pacing, and player progression.
• Collaborate with AI Engineering, Level Design, Art, and Production to deliver gameplay features.
• Balance AI behaviors using playtest feedback, gameplay metrics, and player insights.
• Document encounter systems, design intent, and implementation guidelines.
• Review gameplay experiences and iterate to improve quality, readability, and player satisfaction.
• Mentor designers through design reviews and collaborative feedback.

Requirements

• Experience designing AI systems, encounters, or combat gameplay for shipped AAA titles.
• Experience owning gameplay features from concept through release.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary development teams.
• Portfolio demonstrating encounter design, gameplay systems, or AI-focused work.
• Experience balancing gameplay using qualitative and quantitative feedback.

Skills

• Knowledge of AI enemy design, combatant archetypes, and encounter pacing.
• Proficient in scripting and programming tools to implement systems within modern game editors.
• Clear documentation and communication across design and development teams.
• Experience evaluating gameplay through playtesting and data-informed iteration.
• Familiarity with live service development and ongoing gameplay improvements.
• Experience designing AI systems or encounters for PvP or PvE gameplay is an asset.

Pay

Pay ranges listed below reflect what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of posting. Pay offered will be determined based on 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): $114,300 - $156,200 CAD
• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco): $127,700 - $190,600 USD

Benefits

In the US, 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, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs

In Canada, 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, and vision coverage
• Life insurance and disability insurance
• Retirement plan
• Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs