Lead Diablo Class Designer

Activision Blizzard, Inc.; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and vacation

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is seeking a Lead Class Designer for Diablo to shape new ARPG experiences in Irvine, CA or Albany, NY. You will lead class design, collaborate with design, engineering, and art, and guide live-service evolution with a focus on balance and player satisfaction.

The role supports a flexible hybrid work week with on-site options. You will mentor a team, drive playtesting, and align systems across progression, items, and endgame content, ensuring Diablo’s classes remain

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional game design experience, with a strong focus on systems or class design.
• 1+ year of experience as a Lead or People Manager in the Design field.
• Proven ability to lead features or systems from concept through implementation and iteration.
• Deep understanding of gameplay balance, progression, and player behavior analysis.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across multiple disciplines.
• A well-developed sense of what makes classes and systems fun, rewarding, and replayable.
• Familiarity with scripting languages and a solid foundation in math or analytical problem-solving.
• Deep familiarity with ARPG gameplay and player motivations.
• Experience contributing to or supporting live-service games and post-launch content updates.
• Hands-on experience designing classes tightly integrated with itemization, progression, or endgame systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the design of character classes, abilities, and gear, ensuring they’re fun, balanced and Diablo-true.
• Lead class development from concept through implementation and live-service evolution.
• Collaborate closely with design, engineering, and art leads to integrate features into the game.
• Plan, scope, and execute on long-term vision with production partners.
• Drive playtesting and iteration to identify balance issues and improvement opportunities.
• Champion innovation while maintaining accessibility and clarity for players.
• Ensure classes scale meaningfully across progression and endgame content.
• Analyze player feedback and gameplay data to inform design decisions.
• Document and communicate design goals and systems to the broader team.
• Lead initiatives for design consistency, team alignment, and scalability.
• Provide and receive actionable feedback to foster a healthy design culture.
• Coach and mentor a team of class designers, setting standards and best practices.

Skills

Game design

Lead / People management

Systems design

Balance progression

Collaboration across disciplines

Scripting familiarity

Math / analytical

ARPG knowledge

Live-service experience

Class design

Tools

Scripting languages

Job description

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is seeking a Lead Class Designer for Diablo to shape new ARPG experiences in Irvine, CA or Albany, NY. You will lead class design, collaborate with design, engineering, and art, and guide live-service evolution with a focus on balance and player satisfaction.

The role supports a flexible hybrid work week with on-site options. You will mentor a team, drive playtesting, and align systems across progression, items, and endgame content, ensuring Diablo’s classes remain