Electronic Arts

SEED is a pioneering group within Electronic Arts that combines creativity with applied research. We explore, build, and help define the future of interactive entertainment.

We exist at EA to deliver and foster inspiring innovation for our games and our players. We do this through exploration, research, prototypes, and never-ending curiosity. We collaborate with game teams and industry partners and also publish our research within our industry and to the public. We pursue long-term applied research yet stay relevant to the present by delivering artifacts along the way to game teams and technology groups inside EA. Some of our research includes bringing digital characters to life, using machine learning for game AI and content creation, and developing novel real-time graphics & physics techniques.

We are looking for a Principal Research Scientist to contribute to key research initiatives and drive innovation within our organization. With a wealth of experience in applied research, the successful candidate excels at implementing novel solutions to solve some of the toughest problems in game development, including animation, geometry, simulation, and generative AI. The candidate also knows how to strike an algorithmic balance between quality and performance.

This position is a hybrid onsite role from our EA office in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. You will report to our General Manager.

As a Principal Research Scientist at SEED, you will:

• Develop and implement innovative research that drives advancements in animation, geometry, simulation, and generative AI technologies for use cases in games and game development pipelines.

• Bring new ideas, discuss, and research solutions to some of the most complex video game challenges to create differentiation for EA.

• Self-driven, with the ability to contribute best across the organization in areas where one’s expertise can benefit the team the most.

• Build demos that showcase the results of applied research.

• Mentor and guide other researchers, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and continuous learning.

• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant academic institutions and identify opportunities to collaborate on joint research with them.

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and methodologies, evaluating their potential impact and applicability to game development.

• Participate in the end-to-end delivery of novel computer vision technology, from the R&D workbench into products at EA, in partnership with game teams and central technology groups.

• Collaborate with other developers at SEED on projects where your unique expertise will create novelty across SEED's projects that live at the intersection of many domains.

• Publish research findings in reputable journals and present them at key conferences to enhance the organization’s reputation as a leader in the field, including open-sourcing relevant work.
  
  

As a diverse team with solid goals, we provide autonomy and true influence to each member of SEED. We are looking for an open and curious person who gets a kick out of taking new ideas, investigating them, and adapting their application to games. You have a desire to explore new areas of game development—someone who is passionate, creative, communicative, and invested.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Graphics, Machine Learning, or any other relevant field 

• 25+ years of experience in applied research, with a demonstrated history of leading successful projects.

• Extensive knowledge of research methodologies and statistical analysis.

• Extensive publication record in leading scientific journals.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences.

• Strong network within the scientific community and industry.

• Familiarity with game development engines and pipelines.

• You work well within a team and want to collaborate with other researchers, engineers, artists, and designers.

• Willingness to travel for conferences and visit teams across EA studios.

• You care about video games as a medium. 

If you want to be part of—and work with—some of the most incredible people in the field, then SEED is your team!

To learn more about SEED and our impactful work, check out https://seed.ea.com/

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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). 

PAY RANGES

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.