AI Combat Designer - RuneScape Dragonwilds

Location: Cambridge, UK - (Remote available within the UK with team onsite days in the Cambridge office approx. 4 times per year)

Are you a creative and technically-minded designer with experience crafting memorable enemy encounters and responsive AI combat? As a Game Designer focused on AI combat on RuneScape: Dragonwilds, our new open-world survival crafting game currently in early access and built in Unreal Engine 5, you'll own the design and implementation of enemies, creatures, and boss encounters that define the moment-to-moment gameplay experience.

You'll be responsible for creating dynamic NPC archetypes and intelligent combat behaviours that challenge, surprise, and immerse players. Collaborating closely with animators, engineers, and fellow designers, you'll breathe life into the game's world through thoughtful combat mechanics and behaviour-driven storytelling. This is a hands-on, cross-disciplinary role where you'll prototype, iterate, and refine encounters from concept through to polish. If you're excited by the opportunity to shape the core gameplay experience and elevate the art of enemy design, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll be doing:

• Design, prototype, and own compelling NPC enemy archetypes and boss encounters that fit the tone of RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
• Use UE5's AI tools and scripting systems (Blueprints, behaviour trees, state machines) to bring creatures to life with responsive and engaging behaviours.
• Collaborate closely with AI engineers, animators, and artists to build seamless, combat-ready creatures that feel alive in the world.
• Tune combat pacing, difficulty, and readability to ensure each fight feels satisfying and fair.
• Align enemy design with narrative, worldbuilding, and level design to deliver a cohesive player experience.
• Create and maintain design documentation that clearly communicates your vision and implementation details.
• Drive and support playtests to gather actionable feedback and refine combat design through iteration.
• Be a strong, reliable voice in a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring systems and encounters are well supported and technically sound.
• Foster a proactive, collaborative environment that values feedback, iteration, and creative problem-solving.

What we're looking for:

• Proven experience in combat or technical design, ideally on survival, action-adventure, or melee-focused titles.
• At least one shipped game in a combat design or enemy systems role.
• Deep understanding of AI systems and behaviours, such as behaviour trees and state machines.
• Hands-on experience working with Unreal Engine 5 (or UE4), particularly using its AI and combat tools.
• Strong Blueprints scripting skills with a knack for rapid prototyping and iteration.
• A balanced mindset, with creative instincts matched by a practical approach to technical and scope constraints.
• Able to demonstrate a clear sense of what makes encounters memorable and meaningful.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with a talent for visualising ideas through diagrams, flowcharts, or mockups.
• Player-focused attitude and a strong understanding of pacing, difficulty tuning, and gameplay readability.
• Comfortable leading your own features while working as part of a larger team to achieve shared goals.

What we offer:

• Private Healthcare, including Dental Plan.
• Minimum 6% Pension contributions.
• Employee Assistance Programme & onsite Counselling.
• Life Insurance.
• Discretionary annual performance bonus.
• Enhanced family leave policies from day 1.
• Flexible working hours.
• 25 days annual leave + Bank holidays & the option to buy/sell holidays + so much more!

About Jagex:

Jagex is a leader in developing and publishing deep, engaging online games that connect millions of players worldwide. Best known for the RuneScape franchise, which includes two of the world's longest running and most successful MMORPGs, in Old School Runescape and Runescape, and the open-world survival crafting game, Runescape: Dragonwilds; we have proven success in delivering immersive Forever Games and fostering strong player communities.

We strive to foster an inclusive workplace built on trust, autonomy, and a shared passion for creating forever games. Our values guide everything we do: We Embrace Fellowship by collaborating and sharing openly. We Hone our Craft by always learning and improving; we Honour our Vows by being honest and transparent; we are our Customers' Heroes by striving to understand our team & player needs, and we Seize The Day by making the most of every opportunity.

With over two decades of experience, and over 400 people in our team, we continue to innovate in live game development, leveraging data-driven insights, and a commitment to player-first game design. We have a diverse and talented team where creativity, collaboration, and community-driven game development drives everything we do. As part of Jagex, you'll have the opportunity to work on a globally successful franchise, contribute to exciting new projects, and be part of a company that hugely values both our employees and our players.