Lead Level Designer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Health and retirement benefits

Performance bonuses

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Level Designer for a prestigious studio. This fully remote role lets you guide a talented team of designers from your home office, shaping immersive environments that support core gameplay and narrative progression.

You will lead design vision, oversee all levels, and collaborate with directors and tech teams to ensure high-quality, engaging experiences. A strong portfolio and leadership track are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of experience in level design for video games.
• 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Experience shipping multiple titles, ideally in a lead capacity.
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine or Unity and level editing tools.
• Strong understanding of spatial design, architecture, player psychology, and pacing.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management.
• Portfolio showcasing exceptional level design and leadership is mandatory.
• Ability to work remotely and drive projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of level designers.
• Define and champion the level design vision and best practices for the project.
• Oversee the creation of all game levels, ensuring high quality, playability, and performance.
• Collaborate with game directors, art directors, and technical teams for cohesive experiences.
• Design and prototype compelling level layouts with optimal pacing and engagement.
• Implement and refine levels using industry-standard engines and tools.
• Conduct regular reviews of level designs, providing constructive feedback.
• Ensure levels support narrative, gameplay mechanics, and progression.
• Manage level design schedules and resource allocation in a remote environment.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Unreal Engine

Unity

3D modeling

Concept art tools

Feedback & mentoring

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Design/Architecture/Fine Arts or related field

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Level editing tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious studio celebrated for its immersive worlds and engaging gameplay, is actively recruiting a Lead Level Designer to join their team on a 100% remote basis. This is an outstanding chance to shape the spatial and experiential design of groundbreaking game titles from your home office. As the Lead Level Designer, you will guide a talented team, oversee the creation of compelling game environments, and ensure that levels are not only visually stunning but also functionally excellent, supporting core gameplay mechanics and narrative progression. We seek a visionary leader with extensive experience in level design, a passion for player experience, and a demonstrated ability to inspire and manage a creative team in a remote setting. Join us and help define the worlds players will explore.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of level designers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Define and champion the level design vision and best practices for the project.
• Oversee the creation of all game levels, ensuring they meet high standards of quality, playability, and technical performance.
• Collaborate closely with game directors, art directors, and technical teams to achieve cohesive game experiences.
• Design and prototype compelling level layouts, ensuring optimal pacing, flow, and player engagement.
• Implement and refine levels using industry-standard game engines and tools.
• Conduct regular reviews of level designs, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
• Ensure that levels effectively support narrative, gameplay mechanics, and player progression.
• Manage level design schedules and resource allocation in a remote work environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Architecture, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in level design for video games, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience shipping multiple successful titles, ideally in a lead capacity.
• Expertise in using game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity, and their associated level editing tools.
• Strong understanding of spatial design, architecture, player psychology, and pacing.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling and concept art tools is a plus.
• Ability to provide clear, actionable feedback and foster a positive team environment remotely.
• A portfolio showcasing exceptional level design work and leadership experience is mandatory.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive projects forward in a remote setting.

Benefits

This is a fully remote position offering significant flexibility. Our client provides a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, performance bonuses, and substantial opportunities for professional growth and development. You will be part of an innovative and collaborative team, working on cutting-edge projects with the freedom to contribute from anywhere. We foster a culture of creativity, respect, and continuous learning, making this an ideal opportunity for an experienced Lead Level Designer.