Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Sonyinteractiveentertainmentglobal; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 145,100 - 181,400; Full time

Job summary

Sony Interactive Entertainment is looking for a Combat Designer with 5+ years of experience to design and implement enemy NPC archetypes. The role involves collaboration with AI programmers, animators, and the Design team to create unique gameplay experiences.

Located in California, this hybrid position offers a competitive salary range from $145,100 to $181,400 USD, with potential for bonuses. Join us to help shape engaging combat systems in action-adventure games!

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry experience in combat design and/or technical design for games.
• At least one shipped title as a combat designer or similar role.
• Strong coding ability and proficiency in game engines and tools.

Responsibilities

• Pitch, design, implement, and own enemy NPC archetypes.
• Collaborate with teams to conceptualize and prototype gameplay mechanics.
• Facilitate playtesting and feedback sessions.

Skills

Combat design

Technical design

Unreal Engine

Unity

Game scripting

Behavior trees

Leadership

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Mentoring

Education

Computer Science degree

Job description

This is a hybrid/ onsite position.

What you will do:

• Pitch, design, implement, and own enemy NPC archetypes
• Work with AI programmers to develop foundational NPC technology and implementing and tuning enemy AI behaviors
• Work with animators to develop enemy locomotion and traversal, melee moves, ambient behaviors, and other custom abilities. Make every enemy archetype feel unique and memorable
• Collaborate with the Design team to conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay mechanics and systems
• Communicate with animation, programming, and art departments to effectively produce the assets and code support required for the enemies you’re owning
• Write and maintain documentation that establishes the core vision of the enemy archetypes
• Drive communication and collaboration for enemies you design and the levels they are in, ensuring communication across disciplines and meeting deadlines
• Effective and respectful communicator and collaborator, both with other designers and members of other departments
• Facilitate playtesting and feedback sessions to iterate on combat systems and fine-tune them based on player experiences
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to the overall growth of the design team

What skills you will use:

• 5+ years of industry experience in combat design and/or technical design for games, specifically focused on developing action‑adventure or shooter games
• At least one shipped title as a combat designer or similar role. Experience with behavior trees or similar NPC AI concepts preferred
• Strong coding ability: Computer Science degree preferred though not required
• Proficient in using game engines and tools (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) for combat implementation and design scripting (C#, Lua, Visual Scripting)
• Welcomes feedback on their work and embraces the “let’s try it” mentality
• Proficient and effective communication skills, including diagramming and sketching
• Fluent in modern character action‑adventure and shooter combat games. Maintains knowledge of the broader gaming landscape trends
• Knowledge of narrative structure and how it intersects with gameplay and combat
• A keen eye for detail in character action games, able to tune gameplay systems to make them feel smooth and impactful
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills

The estimated USA base pay range for this zone (Los Angeles area) is listed below. This role may be eligible for additional compensation packages that includes annual bonus and other incentive plans.

$145,100 — $181,400 USD

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.