Senior Systems Designer

31st Union; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

Paid holidays

Vacation days

Sick days

Parental leave

Wellbeing programs

Maven family planning

Commuter benefits

Fitness reimbursements

Job summary

2K is seeking a Senior Systems Designer in California to shape online multiplayer experiences. You will drive complex features, own reward loops, and balance systems while collaborating with cross‑functional teams to deliver engaging player journeys.

We value autonomy and strong design leadership, plus the ability to mentor others and translate ideas into in-engine implementations within a fast-paced production environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience with Unreal Engine and Blueprint scripting in shipped multiplayer titles.
• Strong understanding of reward loops and economy systems in live game services.
• Analytical mindset with ability to validate design decisions using data.

Responsibilities

• Drive a portfolio of complex features from concept through execution.
• Iterate quickly with in-engine updates based on feedback.
• Provide design leadership within your feature area and mentor peers.
• Source ideas across the studio and align on design challenges with stakeholders.
• Communicate across teams to manage tradeoffs, dependencies and goals.
• Share best practices to improve player experience across the game.

Skills

Unreal Engine

Blueprint scripting

C++

Multiplayer design

Economy design

Data analysis

Job description

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

What We Need:

We’re looking for a Senior Systems Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. In this role, you’ll be a key feature driver, partnering with various cross functional teams to shape how players grow, are rewarded, and evolve over time! You have proven expertise in game economy design, reward systems, and the intentional design work needed to balance the complex relationship between them. You can both communicate and document design features, intent and specs clearly and work in-engine to bring those experiences to reality. You seamlessly form strong working relationships among peers of different disciplines, bring others with you towards a shared vision, and proactively work with production & game leadership to make it a reality. We’re a studio that values autonomy and self-drive in developers who are empowered to do the best work of their careers. If this is you, let’s talk!

• Drive a small portfolio of complex features through initial creative input, stakeholder buy-in and alignment, consistent design reviews, and day-to-day execution.
• Respond quickly to feedback with stable in-engine updates and iterate rapidly.
• Provide design leadership within your feature area while contributing to broader game quality by mentoring others and sharing insights.
• Reliably source ideas from around the studio, combining with own proposals and references to other products, in order to quickly solve and innovate within design challenges.
• Work cross-functionally within and outside of your team to communicate and align on the work, tradeoffs and dependencies. Radiate changes across the organization; set and mobilize against feature goals; and provide forward-looking direction aligned with greater design philosophy.
• Share best practices and techniques with peers to improve the overall experience

What You’ll Do:

• Drive a small portfolio of complex features through initial creative input, stakeholder buy-in and alignment, consistent design reviews, and day-to-day execution.
• Respond quickly to feedback with stable in-engine updates and iterate rapidly.
• Provide design leadership within your feature area while contributing to broader game quality by mentoring others and sharing insights.
• Reliably source ideas from around the studio, combining with own proposals and references to other products, in order to quickly solve and innovate within design challenges.
• Work cross-functionally within and outside of your team to communicate and align on the work, tradeoffs and dependencies. Radiate changes across the organization; set and mobilize against feature goals; and provide forward-looking direction aligned with greater design philosophy.
• Share best practices and techniques with peers to improve the overall experience

What Will Make You A Great Fit:

• Strong experience with Unreal Engine and Blueprint visual scripting; programming experience (C++, C#, etc.) is a plus.
• Proven experience designing and implementing gameplay features in released multiplayer games, with a strong focus on reward loops, systemic content integration, and player-driven optionality.
• Theory-crafting skillset & past experience designing for depth and multiplayer gameplay.
• Quantitative and analytical, with past experience building and interrogating economy models and simulations to validate and align design decisions.
• Deep understanding of the various components (UI, Art, Engineering, Audio, VFX, etc.) that come together to achieve an unparalleled player experience.
• A self-starter who can align with the team's goals but isn't hesitant to create solutions of their own.
• Capable of rapidly filtering large volumes of feedback into concrete and useful improvements.
• Ability to flexibly design, implement, and iterate under tight deadlines & production constraints.
• Well-played in the multiplayer PvP / Competitive Space and able to deconstruct what works and why.
• Capability to abstract designs outside of single solutions into patterns and models of player behavior; providing options and flexible design solutions

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $112,700 and $166,820 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

Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates.

The position is for an existing vacancy.

As part of 2K’s commitment to maintaining a workplace culture of inclusion and respect, we aim to find opportunities to improve our diversity and inclusion practices and resources. We hope that you will help us achieve this goal by voluntarily disclosing your demographic information.

Whether you choose to disclose this information is entirely your decision. You will not be treated any differently based on your choice.

Any information you provide will be confidential, kept securely, and will not be used to make any employment-related decisions. More information about how 2K handles your personal data is available at 2K privacy link.

Finally, as a reminder, 2K is an equal employment opportunity employer. 2K does not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against individuals based on any protected characteristic. If you have any questions about this policy, please connect with [e-mail] for support.

Thank you for your help!