Key Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, and iterate on POIs and full map layouts that support player choice, dynamic encounters, and environmental storytelling.
- Integrate gameplay systems including AI, loot, and objectives into engaging level experiences.
- Collaborate with artists, narrative designers, and systems designers to deliver gameplay spaces that are readable, immersive, and replayable.
- Balance risk, flow, and pacing across key player paths and encounters.
- Take levels from greybox to final, working iteratively through playtesting and cross-discipline feedback.
- Document and communicate design intent, layout justifications, and encounter scripting needs clearly to team members.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Deep, demonstrable understanding of and/or direct professional experience designing for extraction shooters, competitive PvEvP, or similar loot-driven genres.
- Proficiency in UE5, including level layout, Blueprint scripting, and gameplay prototyping.
- Strong encounter design sensibilities and understanding of player psychology and pacing.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills across disciplines.
- Comfortable collaborating and leading teams across multiple global time zones.
- 8+ years of professional experience in game design
- 2+ shipped titles (AA or AAA), ideally with demonstrable experience in a senior or lead role
- Note: For this role, academic projects do not qualify as professionally shipped or launched titles
Benefits
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- 401K with employer match
- Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy
- Generous Paid Time Off
- 20 Paid Company Holidays
- Relocation Assistance
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness Club Discounts
- Sports Team Sponsorship
- Annual Company Events
- Project Wrap Parties
By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!
Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Demographic Report.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications.