Lead Game Designer

Carpool Studio; Paris; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Carpool Studio in Paris is seeking an experienced Game Designer to shape core gameplay systems and drive long-term engagement for a new PvP title. You will mentor a small design team, balance systems, and ensure documentation aligns with creative leadership.

You will collaborate closely with engineers, artists, and producers, iterating based on playtests and feedback while operating within technical and design constraints. CDI contract with probation period applies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience as a game designer on at least one shipped title on PC/Console
• Proven experience on Online PvP multiplayer & live-service games
• Experience on Unreal Engine 5 highly appreciated
• Hands-on involvement in gameplay systems balancing and iteration
• Demonstrated success on leading live-service game with recurring content releases, player feedback loops, data-informed iteration & long-term player engagement objective.

Responsibilities

• Design, document and iterate on core gameplay systems including gameplay loops, progression and economies
• Manage Game Design team ( 3 ppl ) and ensuring appropriate mentoring and regular communication on 3C, Core Loop and Macro Loop topics
• Identify gameplay, content and workflow challenges and propose player-focused solutions
• Balance units, items, resources and systems to support a clear and enjoyable player experience pre-launch & post-launch
• Create and maintain clear game design documentation in collaboration with creative leadership
• Communicate & align design intent effectively and regularly with GPP and Artists
• Use iterative design methods incorporating player feedback and playtest data
• Test and validate gameplay through pre-launch beta test to ensure systems are implemented correctly and balanced appropriately
• Maintain high quality standards while respecting technical and design constraints

Skills

Analytical thinking

PvP knowledge

Gameplay systems design

Communication skills

Team collaboration

UX understanding

English communication

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Job description

Carpool is a vibrant new video game studio based both in Paris and Montpellier, with a passion for creating the most innovative and exciting multiplayer games. Created by industry veterans and gathering a human-sized talented team from diverse background and culture, our team is all about bringing life to our unique ideas and focus on AAA execution.

We are thrilling to create games that are fun, challenging, full of pop culture references and willing to bring all players the best engaging and compelling experience possible.

Our first project is a brand-new hybrid genre mixing strategy and fast paced action into a PvP experience. But more than a game, our objective is to create a new IP with transmedia opportunities to expand our narrative and go beyond the video game market.

Carpool is a company that values passion, trust, autonomy, curiosity, honesty, and pragmatism, letting each member to bring their unique perspective and skillset and to add value to our project.

Our employees are at the heart of everything we do and we highly value work/life balance, team interaction and wellbeing when joining Carpool. Are you ready to fill the seat and join our journey?

About the role

You will contribute to the design and evolution of core gameplay systems, focusing on clarity, balance and long‑term engagement. This position suits a designer who combines creative thinking with analytical rigour and enjoys working within technical constraints while continuously iterating based on feedback and playtesting.

You’ll also ensure a day to day management of our Game Design team by setting priorities and act as a mentor to develop skills & experience of your teammate.

Reports to

Associate Game Director

What you’ll do

• Design, document and iterate on core gameplay systems including gameplay loops, progression and economies
• Manage Game Design team ( 3 ppl ) and ensuring appropriate mentoring and regular communication on 3C, Core Loop and Macro Loop topics
• Identify gameplay, content and workflow challenges and propose player‑focused solutions
• Balance units, items, resources and systems to support a clear and enjoyable player experience pre-launch & post-launch
• Create and maintain clear game design documentation in collaboration with creative leadership
• Communicate & align design intent effectively and regularly with GPP and Artists
• Use iterative design methods incorporating player feedback and playtest data
• Test and validate gameplay through pre-launch beta test to ensure systems are implemented correctly and balanced appropriately
• Maintain high quality standards while respecting technical and design constraints

What we’re looking for

Experience

• 7+ years of professional experience as a game designer on at least one shipped title on PC/Console platform
• Proven experience on Online PvP multiplayer & live-service games
• Experience on Unreal 5 highly appreciated
• Hands‑on involvement in gameplay systems balancing and iteration
• Demonstrated success on leading live-service game with recurring content releases, player feedback loops, data-informed iteration & long-term player engagement objective.

Skills

• Strong analytical and structured thinking
• PvP and multiplayer knowledge and constraint
• Ability to design meaningful, interconnected gameplay systems
• Clear communication and documentation skills
• Team‑oriented mindset with a proactive attitude
• Understanding of how usability and functionality support player experience
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills

Nice to have

• Passion for PvP games
• Experience working autonomously in mid‑sized studio environments
• Familiarity with scripting
• Experience with Live Game development and community feedback management

Working style / behaviours

• Curious, methodical and player‑focused
• Collaborative and communicative across disciplines
• Able to balance creative ambition with practical constraints

Other information & benefits

- Game Engine : Unreal 5

- Contract : CDI with probation period

Carpool Studio is c ommitted to encouraging a supportive, diverse and inclusive culture among our teams and dedicated to eliminating discrimination.