Systems Designer

Cloud Imperium Games; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Cloud Imperium Games in Manchester is seeking a Systems Designer to shape the Persistent Universe of Star Citizen. You will collaborate across design and development teams to define mechanics, rules, and player feedback, delivering clear documentation and prototypes to showcase ideas.

The role requires ownership of features, strong communication, and passion for sci-fi games; you will balance systems with data and playtests and contribute to the universe's growth.

Qualifications

• Portfolio of personal and/or professional work.
• Experience with game and systems design including balancing and UI/UX.
• Ownership of major gameplay features and systems.
• Ability to prototype ideas quickly.
• Motivation to work on a large space sim.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other Design departments and development teams on feature creation.
• Define the underlying rules and intentions of the game.
• Explain concepts and features through clear documentation for the team.
• Balance systems based on data from analytics and playtests.
• Identify trends and mechanics that fit the Star Citizen universe.
• Create prototypes with existing tools and assets to prove design intent and fun.

Skills

Gameplay systems design

Prototyping

UI/UX awareness

Cross-disciplinary communication

Scripting & programming

Documentation skills

Team collaboration

Sci-Fi culture interest

Job description

We are a crowdfunded company and have a dedicated and enthusiastic community of backers who are helping us create the "Best Damn Space Sim Ever". We want to build the best we can deliver, and we believe wholeheartedly in the value of exceptional diverse talent.

Cloud Imperium is looking for an enthusiastic a Systems Designer to work on its ever-expanding Persistent Universe at its UK studio located in the heart of Manchester.

About the role:

As a Systems Designer you will be responsible for designing feature concepts and game mechanics for Star Citizen! Reporting to the Lead Designer and collaborating with Creative Directors you will be part of the Persistent Universe feature team. Take this opportunity and leave your mark in the Star Citizen Universe.

What does a Systems Designer at CIG do?

• Collaborate with other Design departments as well as other development teams on feature creation.
• Define the underlying rules and intentions of the game.
• Explain concepts & features through clear documentation that can be used throughout the development team.
• Balance the systems based on data gathered from the game analytics and internal playtests.
• Identify new trends, mechanics, features that fit the Star Citizen fantasy.
• Create prototypes with existing tools and assets to showcase your design intentions and prove that they are fun.

What do we expect from our Systems Designer?

• Being motivated to work on the largest space sim game out there.
• Previous industry experience with ownership of major gameplay features and systems.
• A proven portfolio of personal and/or professional work.
• Experience with game and systems design including a solid understanding of feedback, controls, usability, balancing, and UI/UX.
• Ability to quickly prototype ideas to showcase their potential.
• General interest in Sci-Fi culture (games or other media).
• Passion for solving complex game design problems using visual and text-based scripting and programming languages.
• Being equally capable of working independently or collaborating with others in large teams.
• Skilled communicator, interacting with a cross-disciplinary team effectively and consistently both in person and through text, including documentation.

Diversity Statement

CIG is a global company, staunchly committed to cultivating a culture and workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. Together, we are creating a space where authentic recognition, appreciation, and understanding of the importance of diversity is fostered by everyone. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strive to build a team that represents all walks of life, and we want every employee to bring all the things that make them unique to the work environment. The universe is as vast and varied as the people in it, and it's our differences that make it special.