Expert Level Designer (Single Player) - Sledgehammer Games

Activision Blizzard; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 149,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health plan

Relocation assistance

Benefits eligibility

Job summary

Activision Blizzard’s Sledgehammer Games in Toronto is seeking an Expert Level Designer (Single Player) to craft a fresh AAA experience for our next project. You will implement player‑first experiences, mentor designers, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver compelling levels.

You will thrive in a semi‑remote hybrid setup based in Toronto, partner with teams across locations, and help shape level design across the game while balancing scope, feedback, and iteration.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in the games industry with level design focus and at least 3 shipped AAA titles.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with directors, designers, engineers, artists, producers and animators to deliver a world‑class player experience.
• Mentor fellow designers and provide prioritized feedback to teams.
• Play builds and provide concise feedback to internal and external partners.
• Work with other teams to ensure level requirements and plans are understood.
• Lead by example with clear design direction and effective communication.

Skills

Level design

AAA experience

Collaboration

Communication

Mentoring

Tools

Radiant

Photoshop

Job description

Job Title

Expert Level Designer (Single Player) - Sledgehammer Games Requisition ID: R025769 Job Opening Type: New Position / Headcount

Job Description

Your Platform Sledgehammer Games is a leading developer in the video game industry, best known for its work on the Call of Duty franchise. Since its founding in 2009, the studio has delivered iconic titles like \"Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare,\" \"Call of Duty: WWII,\" and most recently, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.” We combine cutting‑edge technology with creative vision to produce games that resonate with players worldwide. With a focus on creating high‑quality multiplayer experiences and captivating single‑player campaigns, we continue to shape the future of first‑person shooters.

We are looking for passionate and talented individuals to join our studio team in Toronto, Canada. In this role you will partner closely with our teams at our other studio locations in the United States and Australia in the creation of epic content for some of the biggest games in the world. If you're ready to be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment where your skills can make a real impact, we invite you to explore career opportunities with us.

Please note: This is not a remote role. This is a hybrid position based in our Toronto Studio, offering flexibility with a combination of in‑studio and remote workdays. Permanent remote work is not available for this position. Sledgehammer Games is part of the Activision family and is wholly owned by Microsoft. To learn more about our studio, please visit us at www.sledgehammergames.com or search for Sledgehammer Games on your favorite social media platform.

Your Mission

Sledgehammer Games is looking for an Expert Level Designer (SP) to help create a fresh new AAA experience for our next project. Your mission is to develop, implement and tune player‑first experiences that will be enjoyed by millions of gamers across the globe. You are a self‑sufficient, fire and forget teammate who takes ownership of tasks, proactively and independently solve challenges, and delivers high‑quality work in a timely manner. You must thrive in a challenging and often ambiguous environment. An agile and flexible mindset is also vital since this position actively partners with a variety of internal and external partners. Excellent and persuasive communication skills are a must. Above all, we are looking for an innovative and dedicated teammate to help tell our story.

• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Designers, Engineers, Artists, Producers, and Animators to deliver a world‑class player experience.
• Research subject matter relating to the design objective to ensure an authentic experience.
• Be a proactive self‑starter that can independently implement high‑level direction.
• Clearly and effectively pitch designs and features using multimedia tools.
• Work in Radiant to create play‑spaces that are engaging and immersive.
• Mentor fellow Designers.
• Play builds of games in‑progress and provide concise and prioritized feedback to both internal teams and external partners.
• Work with other teams to ensure level requirements and plans are understood.
• Possess a comprehensive understanding of the design process spanning all facets of the game.
• Work closely with our user‑testing teams during play‑balancing to provide expert feedback.

Player Profile

• 8+ years in the games industry working in a level design capacity, with at least 3 shipped title in the AAA console / PC space.
• Passionate and egoless attitude that welcomes feedback and criticism, and enjoys working in a collaborative, iterative, and agile process.
• Strong understanding of geometry building, flow, and layout.
• Ability to lead by example.
• Impressive communication skills.
• Solid understanding of level design with ability to clearly discuss modern trends.
• Strong problem‑solving skills.
• Hunger for gaming (especially online) with a broad range of game experience.
• Open to working in / relocating to Toronto.

Bonus XP

• Profound understanding of the Call of Duty franchise and Warzone.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the F2P games space.
• Prior experience working on a games‑as‑a‑service product.
• Experience with visual software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under‑represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! At Activision Blizzard, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast‑paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

Our World At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™, and Guitar Hero®. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences. We’re not just looking back at our decades‑long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization. We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater — this could be your opportunity to level up. Ready to Activate Your Future?

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well‑being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered!

• Extended health plan, including medical, dental, vision, lif ted games, and a variety of other benefit programs like supplemental life & critical illness, legal service, and others.
• Relocation assistance (if required).
• Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full‑time employees and interns with the Company.

The standard base pay range for this role is $149,400.00 - $193,400.00 CAD. These values reflect the expected annualized base pay range of new hires in Ontario, Canada. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for discretionary incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.

Activision Blizzard, Inc. is the world’s largest interactive entertainment company, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Skylanders®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™, and Bubble Witch™.

We’ve earned a spot on FORTUNE’s “Most Admired Companies,” and “Future 50” lists. Our 10,000+ global employees are some of the best and brightest talents across entertainment, media, and technology.

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