Gameplay Programmer, AI Focus (mid/senior level)
Umeå, on-site, Full-time. Start: January 2027.
About Winterkeep
Winterkeep is a studio in Umeå, founded in 2025 by developers who worked together at Paradox Interactive. We are developing a 4X fantasy strategy game built on our own IP.
We're an AA studio. Small enough to stay flexible, experienced enough to make ambitious games. The vision is set, and feature teams own their part of the game and decide how to get there. You shape the game, not just execute tasks.
Our culture
Openness and honesty. Share ideas freely, and give and take direct feedback.
Calm and focused. We don't crunch, and we don't panic. Sometimes we sprint to hit a goal we've promised, but that's the exception.
High standards and accountability. We hold our work, and each other's, to a high bar, and we take responsibility for the game and the studio.
We're playful and professional. We take the work seriously, not ourselves.
We share our office in central Umeå with two other game studios. Umeå is a university town with short commutes, reasonable housing, and a good life for families.
The role
We need a gameplay programmer who wants to build the AI that players compete against. You'll work across the game in Unreal and C++, with a focus on AI that plays the game well and feels like a real opponent. We are a small team, and we sometimes work outside our ordinary roles.
What you will do
Build AI for computer-controlled factions: strategy, decisions and planning
Build gameplay features and systems in Unreal Engine and C++
Make the AI readable, so players understand what it does and why
Work closely with design to balance and tune AI behavior
Debug, profile and keep the code healthy
We are looking for
Experience as a gameplay or AI programmer, mid-level or senior
Strong C++ skills
Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine
Experience with game AI, like utility AI, behavior trees or planning systems
Able to work full-time on site in Umeå
Extra bonuses, but not required: You play 4X and/or Strategy Games. You enjoy fantasy RPGs (tabletop or computer).
Salary
Mid-level: SEK 35,700 to 41,800 per month
Senior: SEK 42,600 to 50,300 per month
Plus 6% occupational pension, a full insurance package, 5 weeks paid vacation per year and a wellness allowance. Your placement in the range depends on your experience, independence, ownership, and problem-solving.
How to apply
Email: jobs@winterkeep.com with your CV and portfolio links.
As a small studio, we're not able to sponsor work permits at this stage, so you'll need the right to work in Sweden.