Lead Combat Encounters Designer — Open-World Shooter

TAPP Film; United States; Hybrid; USD 119,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is seeking a Principal Encounter Designer to craft the combat experience for the next STARCRAFT game. Based in Irvine, CA, this role blends design leadership with hands-on prototyping and cross-functional collaboration across disciplines.

You will define encounter philosophy, champion player combat systems, and mentor designers while ensuring compelling, readable, and replayable gameplay. Hybrid workweek with on-site Irvine studio days.

Qualifications

• 13+ years of applicable experience in combat or gameplay design.
• Experience owning and shipping complex combat features or gameplay systems on large-scale game development teams.
• Proven ability to influence gameplay direction and design decision-making.
• Experience developing games for PC, Xbox, and/or PlayStation.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional collaboration and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the connective tissue between player combat, enemy combat, and level design disciplines.
• Build and champion end-to-end combat experience and encounter design.
• Design, prototype, and iterate on player combat systems and encounters.
• Establish combat frameworks and best practices for scalable development across feature teams.
• Implement combat encounters that challenge players and support multiple playstyles.
• Evaluate telemetry and playtest findings to improve combat feel and pacing.
• Provide mentorship to designers across disciplines through feedback and reviews.
• Partner with leadership to align priorities and ensure combat initiatives support game goals.
• Champion high standards of quality, accessibility, and player experience.

Skills

Combat design

Gameplay systems design

Prototyping

Playtesting

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentorship

Ownership

Communication skills

Unreal Engine

Tools

Unreal Engine

Job description

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is seeking a Principal Encounter Designer to craft the combat experience for the next STARCRAFT game. Based in Irvine, CA, this role blends design leadership with hands-on prototyping and cross-functional collaboration across disciplines.

You will define encounter philosophy, champion player combat systems, and mentor designers while ensuring compelling, readable, and replayable gameplay. Hybrid workweek with on-site Irvine studio days.