Senior Mission Designer (CONTRACT)

Insomniac Games; California; Remote; USD 96,000 - 110,000; Part time

Job summary

Insomniac Games is seeking a Contract Senior Mission Designer for a six-month engagement through Yoh Enterprise Solutions. The role focuses on delivering high-quality open-world and linear missions, from initial pitches to ship-ready experiences, with collaboration across a multidisciplinary pod.

You will work under a Mission Director, prototype new gameplay sequences, integrate narrative with writers, and ensure layout, combat, and scripting meet quality targets.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of professional game design experience, with at least one shipped title as a Level or Mission Designer.
• Proven expertise in level / mission development from initial pitch to ship.
• Expertise in 3D block out, composition, and flow, using software such as Maya or game engines.
• High proficiency with modern game engines, such as Unreal or proprietary engines. Proven experience in scripting and prototyping directly.
• Strong skills in written, verbal, and visual communication across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, iterate, and polish one or more open world or linear missions.
• Collaborate with Mission Director and pod to build pitches, layouts, and narrative integration.
• Prototype novel gameplay mechanics and script mission-specific gameplay with programmers.
• Deliver mission documentation and communicate status to the team.
• Address bugs and ensure playable missions at all development stages.
• Ensure narrative integration with writers and environmental artists.

Skills

Mission / Level Design

Scripting & Prototyping

3D Blockout & Layout

Unreal Engine Expertise

Communication Skills

Tools

Maya

UE4 Blueprint

Unreal Engine

Job description

This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. This is a 6-month contract.

Insomniac is looking for a Contract Senior Mission Designer. This contract role is accountable for the quality and on-time delivery of one or more full mission experiences, including initial pitches, block out, scripting, combat encounters, and narrative integration. The Designer will work closely with a Mission Director and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary pod to create world-class open-world and / or linear experiences.

Candidates should have previous shipping experience as a mission or level designer, with a deep understanding of layout principles, narrative pacing, and technical scripting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following

• Responsible for the design, implementation, iteration, and polish of one or more open world or linear missions.
• Works under the direction of a Mission Director and Game Director to adapt initial Creative Briefs into full missions. Continuously aligns Mission work with directional feedback or changes.
• Collaborates with a multi-disciplinary pod to create an initial creative pitch, build the full mission layout, and integrate combat, gameplay, and narrative into a full Mission experience.
• Learns and uses internal proprietary tools for 3D layout work and technical scripting.
• Drives quality and iteration on assigned work, by gathering and responding to feedback proactively. Iterates on all aspects of mission design throughout production to reach high levels of polish in execution.
• Collaborates with the combat team to create compelling combat encounters through use of layout, enemy composition, and scripting.
• Works closely with a writer and the narrative team to integrate the larger narrative into the mission, create narrative moments directly in gameplay, and create compelling narrative for the mission itself.
• Works closely with Environment Artists to ensure layout and mission construction meets the constraints and quality targets of both departments.
• Prototypes novel gameplay mechanics or sequences as needed. Collaborates directly with Gameplay Programmers to create mission-specific gameplay when needed.
• Communicates regularly with Development Managers, their Mission pod, and the rest of the game team to broadcast Mission status, major changes, and dependencies. Creates Mission documentation as needed to build understanding and buy-in across the team.
• Addresses bugs and gameplay issues to assure a stable and polished product. Proactively keeps all assigned missions in a playable state at each stage of development.
• Iterates and improves on areas like player comprehension, narrative clarity, gameplay tutorials, difficulty, and accessibility to ensure that mission work is understandable and playable throughout development.
• Creates a safe, supportive, and creative work environment that exemplifies our studio values.
• Other creative or production duties that pertain to mission design as needed.

Experience and Education

• Five or more years of professional game design experience, with at least one shipped title as a Level or Mission Designer. Experience in Mission / Level Design in 3rd Person games preferred.
• Proven expertise in level / mission development from initial pitch to ship.
• Expertise in 3D block out, composition, and flow, using software such as Maya or game engines.
• High proficiency with modern game engines, such as Unreal or proprietary engines. Proven experience in scripting and prototyping directly.
• Strong skills in written, verbal, and visual communication across disciplines.

Computer Skills:

• Intermediate knowledge and experience with level editing tools and scripting (Unreal Engine, Unity, or similar editors).
• Intermediate knowledge of Maya or other major 3D modeling programs.
• Adobe Illustrator experience and UE4 Blueprint scripting skills are a plus.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Other Skills:

• Individual must have very good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with team members and other developers.
• Strong communication skills including verbal and written skills are required.

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click here to learn more.

This is a flexible role that can be remote, with varying pay ranges based on geographic location. For example, if you are based out of Seattle, the estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.

$70 — $80 USD

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