Senior Game Designer - Systems & Mechanics

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Game Designer to shape core gameplay systems and mechanics for upcoming titles. You will conceptualize engaging mechanics, balance complex systems, and translate high-level concepts into playable experiences.

Collaboration with distributed teams of designers, programmers, artists, and producers is essential. The role emphasizes data-driven design, prototyping, and mentorship of junior designers, with a remote-friendly setup that supports working from anywhere on

Qualifications

• 6+ years of game design experience with systems/mechanics focus
• Proven portfolio of engaging game systems and mechanics
• Strong understanding of game design theory, player psychology and balancing

Responsibilities

• Design and document core game systems, mechanics, and progression loops
• Create specifications for features including rules and balancing parameters
• Prototype new mechanics and iterate based on data and feedback
• Collaborate with programmers to implement systems and refine gameplay
• Work with artists to ensure visual and interactive cohesion
• Analyze player data to balance gameplay and identify improvements
• Contribute to the overall game design vision and player experience
• Mentor junior designers and provide constructive feedback
• Stay current with industry trends and innovative mechanics approaches
• Ensure playability and fun across designed systems

Skills

Systems & mechanics design

Game design theory

Data analysis

Scripting basics (C#/Blueprint)

Unity/Unreal Engine

Design documentation

Collaboration & communication

Player psychology

Mentoring junior designers

Passion for games

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Design/CS or related

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Blueprints / C# scripting

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly successful game development studio with a reputation for innovative gameplay, is seeking a Senior Game Designer with expertise in systems and mechanics to join their dynamic team. This role is crucial for designing, implementing, and refining the core gameplay systems that define the player experience in their upcoming titles. You will be responsible for conceptualizing engaging mechanics, balancing complex systems, and ensuring that the game's rulesets are intuitive yet deep. The ideal candidate possesses a profound understanding of game design principles, a proven track record of shipping successful titles, and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. You will collaborate closely with a talented team of designers, programmers, artists, and producers to bring your vision to life. We are looking for a creative and data-driven individual who can translate high-level concepts into playable, fun, and compelling game mechanics. This is a remote-friendly position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere while contributing to a world-class development team.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document core game systems, mechanics, and player progression loops.
• Develop detailed specifications for features, including rules, algorithms, and balancing parameters.
• Create prototypes to test and iterate on new gameplay mechanics.
• Collaborate with programmers to implement and refine game systems.
• Work with artists and animators to ensure mechanics are visually and interactively cohesive.
• Analyze player data and feedback to balance gameplay and identify areas for improvement.
• Contribute to the overall game design vision and player experience.
• Mentor junior game designers and provide constructive feedback.
• Stay current with industry trends and innovative approaches to game mechanics design.
• Ensure the playability and fun factor of all designed systems.

Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of experience in game design, with a significant focus on systems and mechanics design for shipped titles.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating your contributions to the design of engaging game systems and mechanics.
• Deep understanding of game design theory, player psychology, and balancing principles.
• Proficiency in creating design documentation, flowcharts, and system specifications.
• Experience with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, and familiarity with scripting (e.g., visual scripting, basic C# or Blueprint).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities, with experience working in distributed teams.
• Experience with data analysis and using player metrics to inform design decisions.
• Passion for games and a broad knowledge of various game genres.
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• This is a remote position, requiring strong self-management skills.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive remote benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. You will have the opportunity to work on exciting and innovative game projects with a talented, globally distributed team. We provide opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and a collaborative work environment. Join our team remotely and shape the future of interactive entertainment.