Senior Game Designer - Level Design Specialist

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health coverage

Paid time off

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Mahikeng, North West is seeking a Senior Game Designer with a focus on Level Design to craft engaging game levels from concept to final implementation, collaborating with designers, artists and programmers.

You bring 6+ years in game design with a strong level-design portfolio, proficiency with Unreal Engine UED or Unity Level Editor, solid gameplay mechanics understanding and great collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in game design with a focus on level design.
• Proven experience designing levels for PC, console, or mobile games.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality level design work.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement engaging game levels aligned with game design goals.
• Create detailed level layouts, block-outs, and prototypes using industry tools.
• Collaborate with narrative designers to support story and pacing.
• Work with environment and technical artists for visual quality and performance.
• Iterate on level designs based on playtesting and metrics.
• Define gameplay mechanics and systems for level environments.
• Ensure levels are fun, balanced, and progression-friendly.
• Document design specifications for the development team.
• Stay current with level design trends and techniques.

Skills

Level design

Game design

Spatial design

Player psychology

Team collaboration

Communication

Scripting basics

Education

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

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client is an innovative game development studio based in **Mahikeng, North West**, known for creating engaging and critically acclaimed interactive experiences. We are seeking a talented Senior Game Designer with a specialization in Level Design to join our passionate team. This role is central to crafting compelling gameplay environments that challenge players, tell stories, and immerse them in our game worlds. You will be responsible for designing, prototyping, and iterating on game levels from conception through to final implementation. The ideal candidate possesses a strong artistic eye, a deep understanding of player psychology, and extensive experience in level design tools and techniques. You will collaborate closely with other designers, artists, and programmers to bring our game visions to life. Join a creative and dynamic studio where your contributions will directly shape the player experience. This is an exceptional opportunity for a skilled level designer to advance their career and make a significant impact on exciting new game projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement engaging and challenging game levels that align with overall game design goals.
• Create detailed level layouts, block-outs, and prototypes using industry-standard tools.
• Work closely with narrative designers to ensure levels support the game's story and pacing.
• Collaborate with environment artists and technical artists to ensure visual quality and technical performance of levels.
• Iterate on level designs based on playtesting feedback, team input, and performance metrics.
• Define gameplay mechanics and systems specific to level environments.
• Ensure levels are fun, balanced, and provide a smooth player progression.
• Document design specifications and provide clear guidance to the development team.
• Stay current with industry trends in level design and gameplay.

Requirements

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in game design, with a significant focus on level design.
• Proven experience designing levels for PC, console, or mobile games.
• Proficiency with level editing tools such as Unreal Engine's UED, Unity's Level Editor, or proprietary game engines.
• Strong understanding of game mechanics, player psychology, and spatial design principles.
• Experience in scripting or basic programming is a plus.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• A strong portfolio showcasing high-quality level design work across different genres.
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively within a team environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, performance bonuses, comprehensive health coverage, and ample paid time off.
• This position is based in **Mahikeng, North West**, within a vibrant studio culture that fosters creativity and innovation.
• Enjoy opportunities for career advancement and the chance to work on exciting new game titles that reach a global audience.