Horror Game Design Lead - Prototyping & Systems

Mob Entertainment; United States; On-site; USD 101,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Sick time

Holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Mob Entertainment is seeking an experienced Design Lead to define the creative and gameplay direction from pre‑production through production. You will build a small, high‑performing design team and prototype core pillars before full production begins.

You will collaborate with Creative Direction, Art, Engineering, Narrative, Production, and external stakeholders to create a horror experience that is mechanically compelling, emotionally tense, and commercially successful.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional game design experience.
• Previous experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped titles.
• Experience leading gameplay design from concept through production.
• Deep understanding of gameplay systems, progression, balancing, and player psychology.
• Strong prototyping skills in unreal and ability to communicate ideas through playable experiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in Unreal Engine
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall gameplay vision and design direction throughout pre‑production.
• Define and document the game's gameplay systems, progression mechanics and player abilities.
• Champion the player experience while balancing creative ambition with production realities.
• Create templates for design documents and rituals to approve and iterate on features
• Advocate for horror‑specific design principles including tension, vulnerability, anticipation, uncertainty, and emotional payoff.
• Use Blueprints to prototype gameplay features
• Collaborate with engineering to define when prototypes move to codes
• Champion the development of features with balancing and tuning in mind
• Build engaging gameplay loops that reinforce horror rather than undermine it.
• Use playtesting and data to refine mechanics and player experience.
• Set the standards for authoring gameplay systems.
• Playtest, iterate and organize feature brainstorming with the team.
• Identify design risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Prioritize features that support the gameplay pillars.
• Work with production on scoping and prioritization of features.
• Partner closely with the game director to establish the direction of features.
• Work with Narrative to integrate story naturally into gameplay.
• Collaborate with animation to ensure that designs and their supporting animations support the horror atmosphere of the game.
• Be a champion of communication
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of game designers.
• Provide thoughtful feedback that elevates both craft and collaboration.
• Establish healthy design review and iteration processes.
• Encourage experimentation while maintaining alignment around project goals.
• Help recruit and interview future design team members.

Skills

Gameplay design

Leadership

Prototyping

Communication

Team mentorship

Tools

Unreal Engine

Blueprints

Job description

Mob Entertainment is seeking an experienced Design Lead to define the creative and gameplay direction from pre‑production through production. You will build a small, high‑performing design team and prototype core pillars before full production begins.

You will collaborate with Creative Direction, Art, Engineering, Narrative, Production, and external stakeholders to create a horror experience that is mechanically compelling, emotionally tense, and commercially successful.