Game Designer Intern - Summer 2027 (Apex Legends)

Electronic Arts; Alabama; Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Electronic Arts hosts a Game Designer Intern role within Respawn Entertainment, Madison-area operations. The intern will contribute to Arcades design, prototyping LTMs, and tuning gameplay using Unreal or Unity, C++, C#, Blueprints, or Python.

You will explore balance, implement systems, and validate through playtesting across a global mobile and PC audience. The position emphasizes collaboration with design leads and other designers to deliver high-value changes while maintaining a strong

Qualifications

• Student Requirements: Currently enrolled in a college/university degree program and plan to return to studies after internship.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with commercial game engine pipelines (Unreal Engine or Unity) plus scripting/ programming (C++, C#, Blueprints, or Python).
• Design Portfolio: Online portfolio showing functional gameplay work, balance maps, or multiplayer scripts.
• Genre Familiarity: Strong knowledge of FPS and Battle Royale and how gunplay, hero configurations, and squad mechanics work.

Responsibilities

• LTM prototyping and rapid concept iterations for Limited Time Modes and seasonal events.
• Script mode logic, adjust abilities/weapons, manage loot distributions and zone setup.
• Monitor telemetry and balance modes with designers and iterate for better player experience.
• Playtesting, collect feedback, identify scripting edge-case bugs.
• Identify quality-of-life opportunities across Arcade experiences with design leadership.

Skills

FPS knowledge

Portfolio

Analytical mindset

Team collaboration

Education

Enrolled in college/university

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Blueprints

Python

C++

C#

Job description

Locations: Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America

Role ID

216248

Worker Type

Intern - Temporary Employee

Studio/Department

Work Model

Hybrid

Description & Requirements

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Founded in 2010, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they’ll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected.

Respawn Entertainment is the Academy Award-winning studio behind critically acclaimed multi-platform games Apex Legends, Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, and Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond. As a collective of creative developers, we have launched some of the industry’s most critically and commercially successful games. We truly love what we do and want to share our passion with players worldwide.

Join us for the opportunity to create groundbreaking games with some of the best developer talent in the industry.

We are seeking a Game Designer Intern to join the Apex Legends Arcade design team, specifically focused on Modes . In this role, you will work directly within our multiplayer framework to assist in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of systems that keep our game fresh, engaging, and balanced for millions of active players.

What You’ll Do

• LTM Prototyping: Assist in the conceptual loop and rapid prototyping of Limited Time Modes (LTMs), seasonal events, and creative sandbox changes.
• Gameplay Scripting: Utilize scripting languages and game engine tools to hook up mode specific logic, tweak ability or weapon parameters, construct loot-table distributions, and handle zone configurations.
• Systems Balancing: Work closely with other Designers to monitor, review, and fine-tune live telemetry (Loot, Ring Pacing, Mode performance) to make strategic adjustments and improve the experience.
• Playtesting & Validation: Accumulate and synthesize qualitative game mode feedback and identify critical scripting edge-case bugs.
• Quality of Life: Assist in identifying quality of life opportunities across all Arcade experiences, working with the Arcade Design Director and Lead Designers to prioritize and implement high value changes.

What We Look For

• Student Requirements: You must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university degree program (Computer Science, Game Design, or equivalent quantitative/creative track) and return to your studies upon completion of the internship.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated experience using commercial game engine pipelines (such as Unreal Engine or Unity) paired with functional programming or scripting experience (C++, C#, Blueprints, or Python).
• Design Portfolio: A comprehensive online portfolio demonstrating functional gameplay work. We look for tangible examples of systemic mechanics you have built, balance maps, or custom multiplayer scripts (e.g., custom mod frameworks, Overwatch Workshop setups, Fortnite Creative game rules, or standalone logic prototypes).
• Genre Familiarity: Intense tactical knowledge of the First-Person Shooter (FPS) and Battle Royale landscapes, with an analytical perspective on what makes gunplay, hero configurations, and squad mechanics function smoothly.

Bonus Points

• Experience analyzing foundational mathematical odds, drop matrices, or variance curves.
• Familiarity working with multiplayer networking constraints or client/server replication loops.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.