Senior Game Designer - Systems & Mechanics

Placements24; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Health benefits

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Designer specializing in Systems and Mechanics for a fully remote role in the United States. You will craft core gameplay loops, intricate mechanics, and progression systems while collaborating with a distributed team to deliver memorable titles.

The ideal candidate has deep player psychology insight, a passion for innovative gameplay, and a proven track record in shipping complex gameplay systems. Remote collaboration and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional game design experience focused on systems and mechanics.
• Proven track record shipping at least one major title with complex gameplay systems.
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine and/or Unity is highly desirable.
• Experience with scripting languages (Lua, Python) or visual scripting is a plus.
• Strong understanding of player psychology, game theory, and engagement loops.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills for remote collaboration.
• Experience working in fully remote teams is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and iterate core game mechanics and player progression.
• Develop detailed design docs for gameplay features for the team.
• Collaborate with programmers, artists, and designers to refine systems.
• Analyze player feedback and telemetry to identify improvements.
• Champion the player experience and ensure intuitive, engaging systems.
• Balance economies, difficulty curves, and reward structures.
• Contribute to the overall design vision and direction.
• Stay informed on trends in systems and mechanics.
• Mentor junior designers and share knowledge across the team.
• Clearly communicate design ideas and rationale to cross-functional teams.

Skills

Systems design

Game design

Player psychology

Analytical thinking

Communication

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or related field

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Lua

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a creative and analytical Senior Game Designer, specializing in Systems and Mechanics, to join their acclaimed studio. This is a fully remote role, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will be instrumental in crafting the core gameplay loops, intricate mechanics, and engaging progression systems that define the player experience. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of player psychology, a passion for innovative gameplay, and a proven track record of designing compelling interactive systems. You will collaborate with a talented, distributed team of developers to create memorable and successful titles.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, prototype, and iterate on core game mechanics, systems, and player progression.
• Develop detailed design documentation for gameplay features, ensuring clarity for the development team.
• Collaborate closely with programmers, artists, and other designers to implement and refine gameplay systems.
• Analyze player feedback and telemetry data to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
• Champion the player experience, ensuring that all designed systems are intuitive, fun, and engaging.
• Balance game economies, difficulty curves, and reward structures.
• Contribute to the overall vision and direction of the game's design.
• Stay informed about current trends and innovations in game design, particularly in systems and mechanics.
• Mentor junior designers and share knowledge across the team.
• Clearly communicate design ideas and rationale to cross-functional teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional game design experience, with a significant focus on systems and mechanics design.
• Demonstrated success in shipping at least one major title with complex gameplay systems.
• Proficiency in using game development tools and engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) is highly desirable.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Lua, Python) or visual scripting tools is a plus.
• Strong understanding of player psychology, game theory, and engagement loops.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative team environment.
• A passion for creating innovative and engaging gameplay experiences.
• Experience working with a fully remote team.

Benefits

This is a fully remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to work from any location. Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth through continuous learning and development programs. You'll be part of a passionate and creative team working on exciting projects, with the chance to make a significant impact on the future of interactive entertainment. Enjoy the convenience and autonomy of a remote-first work environment while contributing to impactful game design.