Design Director: Lead AAA Game Systems & Team

Haven Studios (Playstation Studios); Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Haven Studios (PlayStation Studios) seeks an experienced Design Director to translate creative pillars into scalable, engaging game systems. You will own the game's structural blueprint, ensure alignment of player fantasy and narrative context with gameplay, and guide a design team toward AAA standards.

You will also hire, lead and mentor designers, establishing clear direction and high quality bars, while collaborating with Engineering, UI/UX, Audio, and Live Operations to maintain cohesive

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6+ years of experience in game design.
• At least one shipped major AAA multiplayer title in a senior, lead, or principal role.
• Minimum of 2+ years of direct experience managing game designers.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Vision by partnering with the Creative Director to deconstruct themes into gameplay pillars and meta-structures.
• Align fantasy and narrative into cohesive mechanical elements.
• Build robust moment-to-moment gameplay, short-term hooks, and long-term retention loops.
• Establish design constraints and provide a focused framework for the team.
• Review and validate design work for mechanics solidity and alignment with the core vision.
• Direct a team of designers, conducting regular 1-on-1s and mentoring.
• Maintain a structured design environment with clear communication and constructive critique.
• Act as design ambassador across Engineering, UI/UX, Audio, and Live Operations.

Skills

AAA Experience

People Management

Live-Service Literacy

Prototype & Ideation

Tools

Unreal Engine

Job description

Haven Studios (PlayStation Studios) seeks an experienced Design Director to translate creative pillars into scalable, engaging game systems. You will own the game's structural blueprint, ensure alignment of player fantasy and narrative context with gameplay, and guide a design team toward AAA standards.

You will also hire, lead and mentor designers, establishing clear direction and high quality bars, while collaborating with Engineering, UI/UX, Audio, and Live Operations to maintain cohesive