Lead Level Designer

Epic Games; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with match

Unlimited PTO

Sabbatical after 7 years

Life Insurance

Job summary

Epic Games in Cary, NC seeks a Lead Level Designer to lead the design team on exciting projects including collaboration with Disney. You will guide level design, mentor designers, and contribute personally when needed to ensure top-quality gameplay spaces and player experiences.

Role requires shipping multiple titles with a strong design leadership background, proficient collaboration with artists, and hands-on use of Unreal Engine 5. Epic offers robust benefits and a creative, inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience shipping multiple titles as a Level Designer.
• At least 2 years of experience in a design leadership role, with demonstrated ability to manage or lead a team.
• Experience with a level editor (Unreal Engine 5 or similar).
• Hands-on involvement with prop placement, lighting, mood, atmosphere, and design markup.
• Strong experience collaborating and communicating closely with artists.
• Demonstrated ability to improvise and solve problems creatively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the vision and execution for building gameplay spaces, points of interest, and levels.
• Lead, mentor, and grow the design team to raise overall capability.
• Contribute as an individual contributor when needed, setting the design quality bar.
• Participate in high-level decision-making and keep priorities aligned for quality results.
• Work with production to define, prioritize, assign, and evaluate design work.

Skills

Level design

Leadership

Prop placement

Lighting

Collaboration

Problem solving

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

DESIGN

What We Do

Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.

What You’ll Do

Epic is looking for a Lead Level Designer to join our dynamic team. This person will contribute to various aspects of game design as part of our collaboration with Disney. In this role, you will lead a team of designers to create engaging experiences and points of interest for our players.

In this role, you will

• Lead the vision and execution for building compelling gameplay spaces, points of interest, and levels.
• Lead, mentor, and grow the design team, helping designers achieve career goals while increasing overall team capability.
• Roll up your sleeves and contribute as an individual contributor when needed, setting the quality bar for design through example.
• Participate actively in high-level decision-making and ensure the design team remains focused on the right priorities to deliver high-quality results.
• Work closely with production teams to define, prioritize, assign, and evaluate design work.

What We’re Looking For

• Minimum of 7 years of experience shipping multiple titles as a Level Designer.
• At least 2 years of experience in a design leadership role, with demonstrated ability to effectively manage or lead a team.
• Experience with a level editor (Unreal Engine 5 or similar).
• Hands-on involvement with prop placement, lighting, mood, atmosphere, and design markup.
• Strong experience collaborating and communicating closely with artists.
• Demonstrated ability to improvise and solve problems creatively.

EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

• Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life.
• We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents.
• Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match.
• We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents.
• Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks.
• We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.

About Us

Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.