Lead Systems Designer

Sony Interactive Entertainment; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Insomniac Games is seeking a Lead Systems Designer to oversee the creation and quality of gameplay systems for a large-scale production. You will manage a small Systems Design team while contributing hands-on design work when needed, ensuring on-time delivery and high-quality output.

You will mentor designers, coordinate with Gameplay Programming and other disciplines, and drive documentation, tutorials, and standards that keep projects aligned with creative and technical goals.

Qualifications

• Experience leading design teams and hiring for Systems Designers.
• Proven ability to prototype, iterate, and polish gameplay systems.
• Strong collaboration with Gameplay Programming and other disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and direct a team of Systems Designers; act as hiring manager.
• Oversee design, prototyping, iteration and polish of gameplay systems and pod leads.
• Prototype and iterate on systems using internal tools and scripting; maintain design docs.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Team management

Communication

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Documentation

Project planning

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Maya

UE4 Blueprints scripting

Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Office

Job description

Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and on-time delivery of all design systems for a large-scale game production, as well as the direct management, mentorship, and growth of a small Systems Design team. Duties will be split between management and hands-on design as needed.

The ideal candidates are self-driven, focused on practical, high-quality execution, and will strive to create an environment in continuous improvement - both on screen and our staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing, mentoring, and directing a team of Systems Designers, including regular coaching, career development, and performance management. Serves as hiring manager for Systems Designers.
• Oversees and directly works on the design, prototyping, iteration and polish of gameplay systems such as player mechanics, non-combat systems, world simulation, economy, progression, or game balance. May lead one or more development pods of cross-discipline contributors.
• Directly prototypes, implements, and iterates on gameplay systems through proprietary internal tools and scripting systems.
• Fosters a strong environment of creative collaboration across all disciplines. Works directly with Gameplay Programming counterparts to best leverage skills and creativity across both departments for systems design and implementation.
• Writes and regularly updates clear gameplay system documentation detailing the scope and feature set for gameplay features. Creates tutorial videos and documentation to support systems.
• Works with Project Management to plan and maintain the systems design schedule, set priorities, plan milestones, and assign work to Systems Designers. Proactively communicates across the team to create alignment among stakeholders and clarity about status, direction, and dependencies.
• Regularly reviews design work in progress, proactively gathers feedback, and drives iteration and quality. Accountable for creative quality of all game design systems work and for ensuring the team is hitting on-screen quality targets for each milestone.
• Collaborates with the Design Director and project Game Director to ensure systems design meets the project's creative and technical goals.
• Ensures consistency in design systems across the whole game experience by creating, tracking, and enforcing standards and metrics. Directly supports Mission Design work in this as needed.
• Runs brainstorms / reviews, creates buy-in and alignment, and champions design vision and values through clear communication and inclusivity.
• Works with other Systems Design staff across the studio to develop best practices, shared process, and design standards.
• Creates a safe, supportive, and creative work environment that exemplifies our studio values.
• Other managerial and creative duties as needed.

Supervisory Duties

Directly supervises a team of Systems Designers. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; resolving problems together with the Team and Design Department leadership.

Computer Skills:

• Intermediateknowledge and experience with level editing tools and scripting (Unreal Engine, Unity, or similar editors).
• Intermediate knowledge of Maya orother major 3D modeling programs.
• Adobe Illustrator experience andUE4 Blueprintscripting skills are a plus.
• Working knowledge of MicrosoftOffice Suite.

Other Skills:

• Individual must have very good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with team members and other developers.
• Strong communication skills including verbal and written skills are required.

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

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