Senior Combat Design Lead

Impact-Theory-3; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive medical, dental, andvision

Life insurance and 401(k) retirement

Flexible PTO policy

Job summary

Level Up Games, LLC is seeking an experienced Combat Director to lead a focused combat overhaul for Kyzen during a temporary, full-time 3–4 month term starting in late 2026. You will diagnose readability and pacing, define a coherent attack framework, and craft distinct mob patterns that feel fun and masterful.

You will work hands-on, prototype in-engine, and collaborate with engineering to create cohesive combat that kids can learn and enjoy, on-site at West Hollywood.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional game design experience with combat-system ownership.
• Shipped title where combat was a core pillar and your responsibility.
• Proven enemy attack pattern design with telegraph and timing concepts.
• Deep, current Unreal Engine 5 experience including blueprints and animation systems.
• Ability to prototype, implement, and tune in-engine with engineers.

Responsibilities

• Audit current Kyzen combat and deliver a prioritized improvement plan.
• Establish combat design pillars and per-encounter standards.
• Prioritize fixes within a 3–4 month window and scope clearly.
• Work directly in UE5 animation systems to implement changes.
• Prototype attacks, define specs for animators, and polish combat feel.
• Own feel of hitboxes, input buffering, timing, and enemy telegraphs.
• Deliver documentation and conduct a structured handoff.

Skills

Combat design ownership

Enemy attack patterns

Frame timing

Unreal Engine 5

Prototype in-engine

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Job description

Level Up Games, LLC is seeking an experienced Combat Director to lead a focused combat overhaul for Kyzen during a temporary, full-time 3–4 month term starting in late 2026. You will diagnose readability and pacing, define a coherent attack framework, and craft distinct mob patterns that feel fun and masterful.

You will work hands-on, prototype in-engine, and collaborate with engineering to create cohesive combat that kids can learn and enjoy, on-site at West Hollywood.