Principal Game Designer

Game Companies; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 183,000 - 276,000; Full time

Job summary

Respawn Entertainment in Los Angeles, CA, is seeking an experienced Principal Game Designer to shape player experiences for next-gen titles. You will collaborate with design, animation, code, and art to guide the vision, craft core gameplay loops, and own the player control feel on the sticks.

You bring at least 5 years shipping titles, strong UE5/U pipelines, and a passion for fun gameplay; you communicate across teams and mentor others, helping deliver extraordinary, widely enjoyed games.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in the games industry working in a Design role shipping at least one title.
• Experience with text-based scripting, visual scripting, and/or programming languages.
• A passion for finding the fun and building gameplay driven mechanics, moments and experiences.
• Strong understanding of game engine tools and pipelines such as UE5, Unity, etc.
• A team player-mindset, understanding the importance of collaboration, and able to communicate effectively with all disciplines and departments.
• A positive, solution-oriented attitude and passion about the play experience, with a wealth of knowledge across a wide range of games.
• Confidence you can solve any problem.

Responsibilities

• Work with Design and project leadership, Animation, Code, and Art departments to bring the next Respawn game to life.
• Create compelling, imaginative, and satisfying player control and own technical implementation in UE5.
• Lead the vision and design of player control feel on the sticks.
• Become an expert on the inner-workings of game mechanics, player systems, and weapons able to lead and communicate with the larger team.
• Directly shape the player’s moment to moment experience.

Skills

5+ years exp

Text/Visual scripting

Gameplay mechanics

UE5 / Unity

Collaborative

Tools

UE5

Unity

Job description

Game Design

5+ years

Game Development

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

Founded in 2010 by the original creators of the Call of Duty Franchise, Respawn was created with the philosophy that when talented people have creative freedom, they’ll make extraordinary games that achieve the unexpected. From our roots as an indie studio to joining the expansive roster of studios at Electronic Arts, this remains our guiding principle. We truly love what we do and want to share our passion with players worldwide.

Our shipped titles include critically acclaimed multi-platform games Apex Legends, Titanfall, Titanfall 2, Star Wars™ Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars™ Jedi: Survivor, and Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond.

We’re looking for an experienced Principal Game Designer who will embrace our philosophy and share his/her hard earned expertise to help us create an incredible experience for our players. Join us for the opportunity to create groundbreaking games with some of the best developer talent in the industry.

What you’ll do...

• Work with Design and project leadership, Animation, Code, and Art departments to bring the next Respawn game to life.
• Create compelling, imaginative, and satisfying player control and own technical implementation in UE5.
• Lead the vision and design of player control feel on the sticks.
• Become an expert on the inner-workings of game mechanics, player systems, and weapons able to lead and communicate with the larger team.
• Directly shape the player’s moment to moment experience.

Ideally, you'll have...

• 5+ years’ experience in the games industry working in a Design role shipping at least one title.
• Experience with text-based scripting, visual scripting, and/or programming languages.
• A passion for finding the fun and building gameplay driven mechanics, moments and experiences.
• Strong understanding of game engine tools and pipelines such as UE5, Unity, etc.
• A team player-mindset, understanding the importance of collaboration, and able to communicate effectively with all disciplines and departments.
• A positive, solution-oriented attitude and passion about the play experience, with a wealth of knowledge across a wide range of games.
• Confidence you can solve any problem.

In addition to opportunities for creative impact and professional growth which come with being a member of our team, working at Respawn has many other perks and benefits! Learn more at respawn.com/perks.

Pay Transparency - North America

Compensation And Benefits

The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).

PAY RANGES

* California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) *$182,600 - $276,300 USD

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.

About Electronic Arts

We’re proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.