Expert Level Designer Sparks Glencoe, Maryland, United States

2K Games, Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Expert Level Designer to join their dynamic team. This role involves creating immersive game environments using Unreal Engine 5, where your creativity and experience will shape the gaming experience. You'll collaborate with talented professionals across disciplines, driving the vision of in-game locations from concept to completion. With a focus on storytelling and gameplay, your designs will engage and delight players. This innovative studio values creativity, teamwork, and a healthy work-life balance, offering a vibrant culture and numerous perks. If you're passionate about game design and want to make a significant impact, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

401K retirement savings

Wellbeing initiative with cash rewards

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Boot camp fitness and yoga classes

Free gym with shower

Regularly catered lunches and breakfasts

Company events and parties

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Level Design is essential.
• Proficiency in Unreal Engine 4 or 5 is required.

Responsibilities

• Design engaging game levels using modular kits and gameplay rules.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement and refine content.

Skills

Level Design

Unreal Engine 4

Unreal Engine 5

Lighting Design

Problem Solving

Scripting

Art Packages (Maya, Max, Adobe Suite)

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Game Design or related field

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Adobe Suite

Job description

Founded in 1996, Firaxis Games is a world-renowned game development studio with an unwavering mission to 'build games that stand the test of time'. The name Firaxis, a fusion of 'fiery' and 'axis,' communicates the company’s dynamic development process that results in the creation of ground breaking titles with unparalleled gameplay delivered to gamers around the world. Under the creative direction of industry legend Sid Meier, Firaxis has released dozens of hit games on multiple platforms and is recognized as an industry leader in game development.

VISION
Make Life Epic…for our Players, our Community and all Firaxians.

CORE VALUES

Be Accountable
Own Outcomes, Be Honest And Treat Feedback As A Gift.
Allow Space For Failure, Share Your Excitement And Let Passion Drive Outcomes.

People First
Treat People With Respect, Create A Culture Of Belonging And Act With Empathy.

Work Smart
Solve For Efficiency, Focus On Collaboration And Prioritize Improvement.

Gameplay Focused
Deliver Quality Game Experiences, Take Pride In Your Work And Put Players At The Center Of Every Decision.

Firaxis Games is currently seeking an Expert Level Designer to join our Design team to work on an exciting project using Unreal 5! In this role, you'll apply your experience, knowledge of design tools, and sense of scale to push the tactical elements of our games and delight players with fresh experiences. Level Designers at Firaxis are a part of a cross-discipline content team working to develop great playing levels that expand the Firaxis portfolio.

What You Will Do:

• Create buildings, natural landmarks, and POIs using modular kits to design fun locations that follow gameplay rules.
• Work closely with Lead Level Designer on the creation of compelling layouts in order to forge maps with cohesive gameplay identities.
• Use content to tell stories, push the ambient storytelling in the world.
• Use experience and tools to make the worlds come alive.
• Drive the vision of in-game locations from planning all the way to ship.
• Work creatively in a collaborative environment, provide input and regular feedback.
• Work with engineering, animation and design teams to implement content, solve workflow issues, and develop content pipelines.
• Own the tactical maps gameplay and associated markup.
• Communicate the vision to the rest of the team and get all departments pumped to collaborate.
• Collaborate with producers to plan out and prioritize the development schedule. Know what the most important parts of the design are and have plans to reduce scope if something takes longer than expected.
• Use your experience to help set standards and mentor other members of the team.

What We Need:

• 7+ years working in Level Design.
• Experience using UE4 or UE5.
• Direct involvement with prop placement, lighting, mood/atmosphere and design markup.
• Experience working closely and communicating with artists.
• Ability to improvise and creatively solve problems.
• Experience with level event and combat scripting.
• Knowledge of and interest in the type of game we are making.
• Knowledge of art packages such as Maya, Max, and the Adobe suite is a plus.
• A cinematic eye. Conceptualize and pitch game systems and mechanics. Communicate clearly and visually to the Directors and the team.
• Ownership of content. Once designs are approved, take ownership for these levels to ship.
• Creativity. We don't want to micromanage. Nothing makes us happier than seeing prototype ideas we would have never conceptualized!
• Proactivity. Don’t wait to be assigned a task — pitch concepts that will make the game better and pitch them regularly.
• Responsibility. Check in script and level content without review. Don't break the build.

STUDIO LEGACY:

Named World’s #1 Developer of the Year by Game Informer Magazine in 2012, Firaxis is very proud of its legacy of developing award winning titles. We have won multiple BAFTAs, D.I.C.E Awards, Game of the Year titles, and category awards (from 'Best Strategy Game' to 'Best PC Game') across our products.

Additionally, our company was also featured in SmartCEO’s 'Best-Run Book' for company culture and praised for a focus on 'family, fun and flexibility.' Firaxis was also named a finalist in SmartCEO’s Healthiest Company Awards for 2016.

Firaxis Games prides itself on maintaining a quality of life inside and outside the studio – when our team members are happy and healthy, creativity can flourish. We offer boot camp fitness and yoga classes at the office, a free gym with shower, regularly catered lunches and breakfasts, biweekly Friday Happy Hours, company events and parties, and a 'FunZone' complete with billiards, foosball, video games, and tabletop gaming space. We are also a philanthropic studio and offer employees the chance to volunteer with local charities and nonprofits throughout the year.

Full Time employees can also take advantage of Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, 401K retirement savings, a wellbeing initiative with the opportunity to earn cash rewards, an Employee Assistance Program, and paid time off and paid holidays.