Senior Game Designer

Zynga; Austin, San Francisco, Carlsbad, Eugene (TX, CA, CA, OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid holidays

Vacation time 15–25 days

Sick days 10 days

Parental and compassionate leave

Wellbeing programs

Commuter benefits

Fitness reimbursements

Job summary

Zynga seeks an experienced Senior Game Designer to lead content and event design for new mobile titles. You will shape themes, implement events, balance cadence, and collaborate with Live Ops, design, and engineering to keep the game engaging and balanced.

You will design with a player-centric mindset, translate market data into creative solutions, and help grow live game systems while mentoring teammates. This role emphasizes strong communication and a passion for mobile gaming.

Qualifications

• Understanding of systems, mechanics and feature design.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong content design and narrative skills.
• Experience with math, levels, and formulas in game environments.
• Solid knowledge of game balancing and pacing.
• Passionate gamer with mobile gaming knowledge.
• Experience with Unity and content implementation.
• 2+ shipped games or 5 years in Live Ops experience.

Responsibilities

• Design theming and content for new events in the game.
• Implement new content and events on a cadence.
• Create flexible sheets and models to balance cadenced events.
• Own, drive, and collaborate with other disciplines for Live Ops development.
• Analyze real-time feedback and metrics and adjust designs for balance.
• Design and improve tools to speed up the design pipeline.
• Be the advocate of good event design on the team.
• Design new event types for the game.
• Pitch new ideas to the team.

Skills

Systems design

Communication

Content design

Math & balance

Mobile gaming

Live Ops

Tools

Unity

Job description

Level Up Your Career with Zynga!

At Zynga, we bring people together through the power of play. As a global leader in interactive entertainment and a proud label of Take-Two Interactive, our games have been downloaded over 6 billion times-connecting players in 175+ countries through fun, strategy, and a little friendly competition.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in California, our teams span North America, Europe, and Asia, working together to craft unforgettable gaming experiences. Whether you're spinning, strategizing, matching, or competing, Zynga is where fun meets innovation-and where you can take your career to the next level.

Join us and be part of the play!

Position Overview:

Zynga is looking for an experienced Senior Game Designer to work on one of our new mobile games. This role leads and participates in direct design and creative input on content and event design in the game.

What You'll Do:

Design theming and content for new events in the game

Implement new content and events on a cadence

Create flexible sheets and models to balance cadenced events

Own, drive, and collaborate with other disciplines for Live Ops development

Analyze real-time feedback and metrics, and adjust designs accordingly while maintaining live game balance

Design and improve tools to make the design pipeline faster and more efficient for the team

Be the advocate of good event design on the team

Design new event types for the game

Work closely with other disciplines to design and prototype new event types

Write user experience stories and design documentation for new features and systems

Pitch new ideas to the team/ lead brainstorming sessions

Experience with free to play games a plus

Ability to design features with the player in mind

What You Bring:

Understanding of systems, mechanics and feature design

Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Strong content design and narrative skills

Experience with math, levels, and formulas in game environment

Solid knowledge of game balancing and pacing

Passionate gamer with a real knowledge and love of mobile gaming

Experience with Unity and content implementation

Experience or knowledge of mobile games, traditional board games, social games, and console/PC games

Translates direct consumer insights, market data, and analysis into creative design solutions

2+ shipped games or 5 years in Live Ops experience

Phenomenal teammate and fun to work with!

What we offer:

Zynga offers a world-class benefits package that helps support and balance the needs of our teams. To find out more about our benefits, visit the Zynga Benefits site

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,200 to $148,320 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, which means we are committed to creating and celebrating diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds throughout our organization. Employment with us is based on substantive ability, objective qualifications, and work ethic - not an individual's race, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offenses, reproductive health decision, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing the necessary support and accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or impairments (subject to any local qualifying requirements) to ensure their full participation in the job application or interview process. Please contact us at [e-mail] to request any accommodations or for support related to your application for an open position.