Senior Level Designer & World Builder

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Company holidays

Professional growth

Development tools

Collaborative culture

Team events

Company retreats

Innovative projects

Job summary

Placements24, a dynamic game development studio in Vereeniging, seeks a Senior Level Designer & World Builder to craft immersive environments and drive player experience.

You'll manage the full level design lifecycle from concept to polish, collaborating with artists, programmers, and narrative designers to shape memorable worlds in Vereeniging. A passion for engaging spaces and strong collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional level design experience.
• Proven track record of shipping successful game levels.
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine, Unity, or Radiant.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and iterate on game levels and environments.
• Create detailed blockouts, prototypes, and final game spaces using level editing tools.
• Collaborate with environment artists to ensure visual fidelity and aesthetic consistency.
• Integrate gameplay mechanics, narrative elements, and player progression within levels.
• Optimize level geometry and assets for performance across target platforms.
• Work with gameplay programmers to script and implement level-specific events and interactions.
• Conduct playtesting sessions and analyze feedback to refine level design.
• Develop documentation for level design concepts and specifications.
• Mentor junior level designers and contribute to pipeline improvements.
• Ensure levels are engaging, balanced, and meet the project's design goals.

Skills

Level design 5+ yrs

Shipping levels

Collaboration

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Radiant

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic game development studio, is seeking a talented Senior Level Designer & World Builder to join their team in Vereeniging. This role is integral to crafting immersive and engaging game environments that define player exploration and experience. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of level design, from conceptualization and prototyping to final implementation and polish. The ideal candidate possesses a strong artistic eye, a deep understanding of player psychology, pacing, and narrative integration, along with proficiency in industry-standard level editing tools. You will collaborate closely with other disciplines, including environment artists, gameplay programmers, and narrative designers, to bring virtual worlds to life. This position offers the opportunity to work on exciting projects and contribute significantly to the overall player experience in Vereeniging. We are looking for a creative thinker who can design compelling spaces that are both beautiful and fun to navigate, ensuring a seamless and memorable journey for players. Your expertise will be crucial in shaping the tangible spaces where stories unfold and gameplay thrives.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and iterate on compelling game levels and environments.
• Create detailed blockouts, prototypes, and final game spaces using level editing tools.
• Collaborate with environment artists to ensure visual fidelity and aesthetic consistency.
• Integrate gameplay mechanics, narrative elements, and player progression within levels.
• Optimize level geometry and assets for performance across target platforms.
• Work with gameplay programmers to script and implement level-specific events and interactions.
• Conduct playtesting sessions and analyze feedback to refine level design.
• Develop documentation for level design concepts and specifications.
• Mentor junior level designers and contribute to pipeline improvements.
• Ensure levels are engaging, balanced, and meet the project's design goals.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in level design for video games.
• Proven track record of designing and shipping successful game levels.
• Proficiency with industry-standard level editing tools (e.g., Unreal Engine's UED, Unity's Scene Editor, Radiant).
• Strong understanding of spatial design, composition, pacing, and player flow.
• Experience with 3D modeling software and basic texturing is a plus.
• Knowledge of scripting languages for level events is advantageous.
• Excellent collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and adapt to feedback.
• A passion for creating immersive and memorable gaming experiences.
• Portfolio showcasing diverse level design work and detailed explanations of contributions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement.
• Access to state-of-the‑art development tools and resources.
• A collaborative and creative work environment in Vereeniging.
• Exposure to exciting and innovative game projects.
• Team‑building events and company retreats.
• Be part of a studio focused on delivering high‑quality gaming experiences.