Mid-Level Technical Designer

Blind-Squirrel-Games; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Blind Squirrel Games is seeking a Mid-Level Technical Designer to join our Auckland studio for an upcoming project. You will translate design goals into functional gameplay, building features and systems while collaborating with designers, artists and engineers.

You’ll prototype, test, and refine mechanics across disciplines, ensuring cohesive player experiences and delivering thorough design documentation. This onsite role emphasizes initiative and ownership.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in the game industry or related area.
• A portfolio demonstrating exemplary design experience working in interactive media.
• Familiarity with scripting and/or programming languages (e.g., C#, Python, Lua).

Responsibilities

• Participate in feature planning meetings and discussions.
• Design, prototype, and implement gameplay mechanics, levels, UI/UX elements, and narrative components.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including artists, engineers, and other designers, to create a cohesive and engaging product.
• Iterate on design elements based on feedback from playtesting and other sources.
• Balance gameplay elements to ensure a fun and fair player experience.
• Deliver comprehensive design documentation (design specs, flowcharts, diagrams, storyboards) for each stage of the project.
• Communicate design ideas and rationale clearly to stakeholders.
• Stay informed about industry trends and incorporate best practices into your work.
• Other relevant duties and responsibilities assigned to help complete company or department objectives.

Skills

Game design experience

Scripting languages knowledge

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

At Blind Squirrel Games (BSG), creating exceptional games is just the start. As a proud, independent studio, we partner with developers and publishers to bring high-quality games to life. Our work spans ports, co-development, and full game development, each with its own creative and technical demands.

With studios in Irvine, California; Austin, Texas; Auckland, New Zealand; and Manizales, Colombia, we bring together global talent to build outstanding games. Guided by the Blind Squirrel Way, the standard for how we work, our teams operate with ownership, accountability, and collaboration.

People are central to our success. We encourage curiosity, initiative, and collaboration, giving individuals opportunities to make meaningful contributions. We value skills and experience alongside hard work, resilience, and a commitment to growth. We welcome diverse perspectives and believe inclusion strengthens our teams, our ideas, and our work.

Blind Squirrel Games is seeking a Mid-Level Technical Designer to join our team for an upcoming project. This is a full-time position based in Auckland, New Zealand, with a fully onsite requirement at our studio.

Supported by the Lead Designer and a multidisciplinary development team, you will translate design goals into functional, engaging gameplay. Your work will span gameplay mechanics, character interactions, feature and object setup, and broader design implementation and support, depending on project needs.

Combining hands-on game design experience with technical problem-solving, you will build, test, and refine gameplay features. You will collaborate with designers, artists, and engineers to gather feedback, evaluate player experiences, and implement improvements that support the project’s creative direction, technical requirements, and production milestones.

The ideal candidate brings a versatile skill set across multiple design disciplines, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to collaboration. You can move confidently from concept to implementation, respond thoughtfully to feedback, and take ownership of delivering cohesive, high-quality player experiences.

Responsibilities

• Participate in feature planning meetings and discussions
• Design, prototype, and implement various gameplay mechanics, levels, UI/UX elements, and narrative components
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including artists, engineers, and other designers, to create a cohesive and
• Iterate on design elements based on feedback from playtesting and other sources
• Balance gameplay elements to ensure a fun and fair player experience
• Deliver comprehensive design documentation (design specs, flowcharts, diagrams, storyboards) for each stage of the
• Communicate design ideas and rationale clearly to stakeholders
• Stay informed about industry trends and incorporate best practices into your work.
• Other relevant duties and responsibilities assigned to help complete company or department objectives.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• 2+ years of experience in the game industry or related area
• A portfolio demonstrating exemplary design experience working in interactive media
• Familiarity with scripting and/or programming languages (e.g., C#, Python, Lua).

Preferred Skills

• Strong understanding of various game design subdisciplines, including gameplay mechanics, level design, UI/UX, and narrative design.
• Prototyping skills, using tools like Unreal Engine, Unity, or similar.
• Experience designing and balancing gameplay systems.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Ability to deliver clear and detailed design documentation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver polished and cohesive designs across multiple disciplines

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Eligibility for benefits and perks may vary based on position, employment status, and location.