Principal Gameplay Designer (9 month contract) - Design - Hybrid/Remote (UK only)

Firesprite; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading game development studio is seeking a Principal Gameplay Designer to contribute to a dark, narrative-driven project. This position requires significant game development experience and strong expertise in Unreal Engine 5. Successful candidates will own high-quality work and collaborate across teams to deliver immersive gameplay experiences. The role includes mentoring others and actively participating in developing gameplay features within a creative, cross-functional environment. Remote work options available within the UK.

Qualifications

• Significant professional game development experience with an impressive portfolio.
• Strong Unreal Engine 5 experience is required.
• Ability to own and deliver high-quality work with minimal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Develop exciting briefs into outstanding interactions and gameplay experiences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prototype and implement gameplay moments.
• Mentor other Gameplay Designers on the team.

Skills

Game development experience

Unreal Engine 5

User experience design

Collaboration and coordination

Proactive communication

Job description

Firesprite is a visionary game development studio based in the heart of Liverpool.

Proud to be an integral part of the PlayStation Studios family, we create showcase games that take players on thrilling journeys, with memorable characters, captivating narratives, and shared moments of excitement. Our commitment to the core values of Inclusivity, Bravery, Responsiveness, and Entrepreneurialism is a key driving force behind our work culture.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Designer to work on a dark, story-driven 'Narrative Adventure' with genre defining goals! This huge, highly ambitious project takes atmosphere, storytelling, player agency and narrative firmly into ground-breaking territory on next-generation hardware technologies!

This project has AAA ambitions with a heavy focus on art, animation and delivering unique character performances to heighten player presence and immersion to new levels.

You will build memorable interactions and events that immerse players in the story and world, working within a cross-functional team to deliver all areas to a high quality. You will also be key in supporting other teams in delivering in related areas.

This is a great opportunity for an ambitious and talented Designer looking for their next challenge, giving you a chance to flex your mature UX, implementation and collaboration skills on an exciting upcoming project.

Ideally, we would love individuals to be based in the studio for 1-3 days per week, but we will also consider those who have a preference for remote working in the UK.

What you'll be doing:

• Develop exciting briefs into outstanding, bespoke interactions and set pieces, across the whole gameplay experience.
• Create succinct UX designs that clearly convey engaging interactivity, and their technical requirements, then empower cross-functional teams to effectively deliver them to a high quality.
• Collaborate with other designers, props, environment, animation, code, audio and VFX team members to prototype, implement and iterate each interaction and gameplay moment.
• Become a leading voice within a cross-functional team responsible for the development of your features, keeping everyone focused quality and delivery.
• Coordinate with Directors, Leads and Production to effectively collate and implement feedback. Deliver on time and propose alternative plans, when required that keep to our required levels of quality.
• Proactively drive the development of your features, working with your team to identify work, to fulfil milestone goals, and raise upcoming issues on behalf of the team to the Game Director.
• Review the tools and pipelines and look for improvements in efficiency.
• Mentor other Gameplay Designers on the team.

What we're looking for:

• Significant professional game development experience with an impressive portfolio
• Ability to own and deliver high-quality work, with minimal guidance from others.
• Passionate about delivering the very best player experience.
• Strong Unreal 5 experience is required.
• Player-driven, goal-led mindset with exception creativity.
• Strong User-Experience-first design skills.
• Ability and knowledge to collaborate and coordinate with other game development teams.
• Ability to communicate effectively both to Directors and to team members. Proactive communication.
• Energetic and positive attitude.

Firesprite is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, with a commitment to a culture of inclusion and mutual respect for all employees from every walk of life, reflecting the community we make games for. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable applicants regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.