Lead Game Designer

Zynga; Bengaluru Urban; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Zynga is seeking a Lead/Senior Game Designer for CSR2 to shape major systems, elevate player experience, and lead design across pods. You will own end-to-end feature delivery, mentor fellow designers, and partner with product, engineering, UX, art, and LiveOps to ensure clear KPI-driven outcomes.

The role demands 6–10+ years in mobile F2P design, strong systems expertise, and a collaborative, ownership-driven approach focused on long-term game health and player value.

Qualifications

• 6–10+ years of game design experience in mobile F2P or similar.
• Strong systems design expertise—economies, progression, LiveOps, and balancing.
• Proven ability to deliver complex features in a live game environment.
• Excellent collaboration with Product, Engineering, UX, and Art.
• Ownership mindset with a focus on quality, clarity, and long-term impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of major systems and features that deepen CSR2’s progression, engagement, and long-term meta.
• Drive end-to-end feature delivery—including concepts, specs, flows, balancing, prototyping, iteration, and final launch.
• Partner closely with Product, Engineering, UX, Art, and LiveOps to align goals, define KPIs, and ensure high-quality execution.
• Improve and evolve existing systems (events, rewards, progression, onboarding) using data, player insights, competitive research, and structured reviews.
• Mentor and support designers across pods, raising the bar on documentation, analytical thinking, system clarity, and communication.
• Contribute to LiveOps by designing scalable event formats, economy updates, pacing improvements, and retention drivers.
• Strengthen design processes, facilitate design reviews, and help maintain coherence across CSR2’s ecosystem.
• Communicate clearly with cross-functional stakeholders, proactively flag risks, and guide teams toward strong, player-centered solutions.
• (Lead-level expectation) Own multiple systems, support planning for pods, and act as a decision-maker in design discussions

Skills

Systems design

LiveOps

Balancing

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation & communication

Leadership

Job description

Level Up Your Career with Zynga!

At Zynga, we bring people together through the power of play. As a global leader in interactive entertainment and a proud label of Take-Two Interactive, our games have been downloaded over 6 billion times—connecting players in 175+ countries through fun, strategy, and a little friendly competition.

From thrilling casino spins to epic strategy battles, mind-bending puzzles, and social word challenges, our diverse game portfolio has something for everyone. Fan-favorites and latest hits include FarmVilleTM, Words With FriendsTM, Zynga PokerTM, Game of Thrones Slots CasinoTM, Wizard of Oz SlotsTM, Hit it Rich! SlotsTM, Wonka SlotsTM, Top ElevenTM, Toon BlastTM, Empires & PuzzlesTM, Merge Dragons!TM, CSR RacingTM, Harry Potter: Puzzles & SpellsTM, Match FactoryTM, and Color Block JamTM—plus many more!

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in California, our teams span North America, Europe, and Asia, working together to craft unforgettable gaming experiences. Whether you're spinning, strategizing, matching, or competing, Zynga is where fun meets innovation—and where you can take your career to the next level.

Join us and be part of the play!

Position Overview

CSR2 is one of the most successful mobile racing games in the world, and we’re evolving the experience for millions of players. We’re looking for a Lead/Senior Game Designer who can shape impactful systems, elevate the player experience, and strengthen the overall design function across pods. This role combines strong systems design craft with leadership, collaboration, and an ability to drive clarity and alignment.

What You’ll Do :

• Lead the design of major systems and features that deepen CSR2’s progression, engagement, and long-term meta
• Drive end-to-end feature delivery—including concepts, specs, flows, balancing, prototyping, iteration, and final launch
• Partner closely with Product, Engineering, UX, Art, and LiveOps to align goals, define KPIs, and ensure high-quality execution
• Improve and evolve existing systems (events, rewards, progression, collections, onboarding) using data, player insights, competitive research, and structured reviews
• Mentor and support designers across pods, raising the bar on documentation, analytical thinking, system clarity, and communication
• Contribute to LiveOps by designing scalable event formats, economy updates, pacing improvements, and retention drivers
• Strengthen design processes, facilitate design reviews, and help maintain coherence across CSR2’s ecosystem
• Communicate clearly with cross-functional stakeholders, proactively flag risks, and guide teams toward strong, player-centered solutions
• (Lead-level expectation) Own multiple systems, support planning for pods, and act as a decision-maker in design discussions
  

What you Bring :

• 6 –10+ years of game design experience in mobile F2P or similar
• Strong systems design expertise—economies, progression, LiveOps, and balancing
• Proven ability to deliver complex features in a live game environment
• Strong collaboration skills with Product, Engineering, UX, and Art
• Excellent documentation, communication, and structured problem-solving
• Ability to break down complex systems into clear, intuitive player experiences
• Experience mentoring designers or influencing broader team craft
• Ownership mindset with a focus on quality, clarity, and long-term impact
• Lead-Level Expectations Include:
  • Experience guiding designers or pods, giving structured feedback, and driving alignment
  • Ability to own multiple systems and influence product direction
  • Comfort acting as a design decision-maker and resolving ambiguity

What We Offer You What you Bring :

Zynga offers a world-class benefits package that helps support and balance the needs of our teams. To find out more about our benefits, visit the Zynga Benefits

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, which means we are committed to creating and celebrating diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds throughout our organization. Employment with us is based on substantive ability, objective qualifications, and work ethic – not an individual’s race, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offenses, reproductive health decision, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing the necessary support and accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or impairments (subject to any local qualifying requirements) to ensure their full participation in the job application or interview process. Please contact us at [e-mail] to request any accommodations or for support related to your application for an open position.