Remote Senior Game Designer

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Generous paid time off

Remote-first culture

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a fully remote Senior Game Designer to define and refine core game systems, progression, and player experience for projects reaching a global audience. The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, rigorous playtesting, and documentation, in a remote-first setting.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of game design experience, strong portfolio, and deep understanding of player psychology.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in game design with at least 2 years in a senior role.
• Proven experience designing complex game systems for PC, console, or mobile.
• Strong portfolio of successful game design projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in a remote setting.
• Experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, and implement core gameplay mechanics, systems, and progression.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to realize design vision.
• Iterate on designs using playtest data and analytics.
• Create design docs, wireframes, and prototypes.
• Mentor junior designers and provide feedback.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in game design.

Skills

Game design

Senior level experience

Player psychology

Communication

Autonomy

Portfolio required

Unity/Unreal Engine

Tools

Confluence

Jira

GDDs

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized independent game development studio, is seeking an exceptionally talented Remote Senior Game Designer to join their pioneering team. This is a fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility and the chance to contribute to cutting-edge interactive entertainment from anywhere. The ideal candidate will have a deep passion for game creation, a proven track record of designing engaging gameplay mechanics, and a strong understanding of player psychology. You will play a crucial role in defining and refining core game systems, player progression, and overall player experience across multiple platforms. This is a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of game design innovation within a collaborative, remote-first environment, contributing to projects that will reach a global audience. Your expertise will be instrumental in shaping the future of our games.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, document, and implement core gameplay mechanics, systems, and player progression.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including programmers, artists, and producers to realize design vision.
• Iterate on designs based on playtesting feedback, analytics, and team input.
• Develop detailed design documents, wireframes, and prototypes.
• Champion player experience and ensure game design aligns with the overall project goals and target audience.
• Contribute to game balancing, economy design, and level design as needed.
• Mentor junior game designers and provide constructive feedback.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in game design.
• Actively participate in remote team meetings and contribute to a positive, collaborative online culture.
• Communicate design ideas effectively through written documentation and verbal presentations.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in game design, with at least 2 years in a senior capacity.
• Proven experience designing complex game systems and mechanics for PC, console, or mobile platforms.
• Expertise in game design documentation tools (e.g., Confluence, Jira, GDDs).
• Strong understanding of player psychology, engagement loops, and retention strategies.
• Experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, particularly in a remote setting.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage time effectively in a remote role.
• A portfolio showcasing successful game design projects is mandatory.
• Must be legally authorized to work remotely and available for full-time engagement.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid time off.
• Enjoy the ultimate flexibility to work from any location.
• Our client fosters a culture of continuous learning and provides opportunities for professional development and training.
• You’ll be part of an innovative and supportive team that values creativity and collaboration.
• Contribute to groundbreaking game projects from the comfort of your home office.
• This is a truly remote-first opportunity based near Welkom , Free State, though physical location is not a requirement.