Lead Systems Designer - Raven Software

Activision Blizzard; Town of Middleton; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading gaming company seeks a Lead Multiplayer Systems Designer to develop and refine gameplay systems for Call of Duty: Warzone. This hybrid role requires strong leadership skills, extensive systems design experience, and the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple teams. Candidates should have a passion for FPS gaming and a documented history in game system design with a focus on quality and player experience.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in the games industry working in system design.
• Proven experience with programming or scripting.
• Experience on a games-as-a-service product.
• FPS experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of systems designers.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver quality game systems.
• Develop and test system prototypes.
• Create and maintain design documentation.

Skills

Systems Design Leadership

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Knowledge of FPS games

Ability to mentor

Tools

Programming/Scripting Languages

Visual Software (Photoshop, Illustrator)

Documentation Tools (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)

Job description

Job Description: Your Mission

Your mission as a Lead Multiplayer Systems Designer is to develop, implement, and refine gameplay systems that will be enjoyed by millions of players worldwide in Call of Duty: Warzone. Reporting to the Associate Design Director, you will lead and mentor a skilled systems team, playing a pivotal role in their project contributions and career growth.

Success in this role requires the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, often ambiguous environment. You must be agile and adaptable, working seamlessly with internal and external collaborators. Strong communication skills are essential, as is the ability to lead with clarity and consistency.

We’re looking for a self-sufficient leader who takes ownership, proactively solves challenges, and consistently delivers high-quality work on time. Above all, we seek an innovative and dedicated systems design leader who will push the Warzone player experience to a best-in-class level within the highly competitive Battle Royale genre.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, based in Middleton, WI.

What you bring to the table

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

Systems Design Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team of systems designers, providing guidance, feedback, and 1-on-1 meetings to ensure high-quality work.
• Establish workflows and best practices to maintain consistently high quality, helping your team members develop their skills and make meaningful contributions.
• Help define the vision and structure of proposed gameplay systems, ensuring their alignment with the overall gameplay experience, mechanics, and pacing of the game.
• From inception to live, oversee the design of compelling gameplay systems that enhance player engagement and progression.

Collaboration with Cross-disciplinary Teams

• Collaborate with the Associate Design Director, Designers, Engineers, Artists, Producers, and Animators to deliver world-class game systems.
• Communicate regularly with the Associate Design Director and production teams to manage expectations, timelines, and deliverables.

Prototyping and Implementation

• Develop and test systems prototypes to evaluate player experience and balance.
• Analyze player feedback in test and live environments to refine systems, engagement, difficulty, and overall player satisfaction, ensuring diverse playstyles and rewarding experiences.
• Be a proactive self-starter capable of independently implementing high-level directions.
• Use scripting tools to create, iterate, and balance game mechanics and systems.
• Clearly and effectively pitch designs and features using multimedia tools.

Tools and Documentation

• Create and maintain design documentation, including systems design briefs, flowcharts, and implementation guidelines.
• Collaborate with the team to work within tools and scripting systems to bring gameplay logic to life.
• Play builds of in-progress games and provide concise, prioritized feedback to internal teams, user-testing teams, and external partners.

Quality Control and Polish

• Ensure systems meet the highest standards of quality, from gameplay balance to technical performance.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to resolve systems-related bugs, overseeing final polish for a consistent and satisfying player experience.

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• 8+ years in the games industry working in a system design capacity.
• Proven implementation experience with programming/scripting languages.
• Prior experience working on a games-as-a-service product.
• FPS experience.

Knowledge & Skills

• Understanding of Call of Duty Warzone including systems, modes, and gameplay.
• Solid understanding of systems design with the ability to discuss modern trends.
• Comprehensive understanding of the design process across all game facets.
• Expertise in writing high and low-level documentation (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Visio, etc.).

Key Attributes

• Passionate, egoless attitude that welcomes feedback and enjoys collaborative, iterative, and agile processes.
• Ability to lead by example.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Hunger for gaming, especially online, with broad game experience.

Extra Points

Experience

• Experience with visual software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).
• Prior experience working on a games-as-a-service product.

Knowledge & Skills

• Extensive knowledge of the F2P games space.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the FPS games space.

Your Platform

Founded in 1990 in Middleton, WI, Raven Software has a rich history of developing acclaimed titles including Hexen, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and contributions to the Call of Duty franchise, notably Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops series. We foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation, emphasizing quality and player experience. Located in Middleton, WI, we offer a supportive environment with a high quality of life.

We seek talented individuals eager to pioneer new frontiers in gaming. Join our world-class team and help shape the future of entertainment.