Design Director
About the job
Summary
ProbablyMonsters seeks a Design Director to design, implement, and ship new IPs. Responsibilities include owning the design spectrum (user experiences, gameplay mechanics, progression, level design, UX), collaborating with engineering, art, narrative, audio, and marketing teams, generating new game pitches, breaking down experiences into systems and mechanics, hiring and leading design staff, working directly with art and engineering, and ensuring design vision quality. The ideal candidate possesses deep knowledge of the gaming industry, understands player motivations, and excels in collaboration. Experience shipping games using Unreal Engine and Blueprint, and a proven track record of bringing at least one idea from incubation to a shipped game are essential.
Must have:
- Shipped a game using Unreal Engine and Blueprint
- Incubated at least one idea to a shipped game
- Shipped two games on modern consoles
- 10+ years of relevant experience
- Excellent collaboration and communication
Good to have:
- Systems Design & Critical Thinking
- Psychology & Evolutionary Biology
- Learning Theory & Communication Theory
- Procedural Content & Architecture
- UX, AI, & Python Scripting
Perks:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage (100% employee, subsidized dependents)
- Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts
- Life and AD&D insurance
- 401(k) with company contribution
- Paid holidays, vacation, bereavement, and parental leave
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Description
THE ROLE:
ProbablyMonsters is seeking a Design Director who is experienced in designing, implementing, tuning, and shipping new IPs. We are looking for someone excited to own the whole spectrum of design, including user experiences, gameplay mechanics, progression systems, level designs, and UX. This is a highly collaborative environment and will require someone who wants to actively work with engineering, art, narrative, audio, and marketing teams instead of just throwing specs over the fence. Final boss opportunity, creating multiple new IPs and, with any luck, spawning a new genre/franchise.
WHO YOU ARE:
- Tireless study of all the different ways player / simulations interactions can create unique experiences.
- Profound knowledge of the entire gaming space and the directions genres are going.
- Can build and clearly document systems for engagement, mechanics, events, pacing.
- Empathy for the player / game time investment and resolve to not abuse it.
- Deep understanding of target audiences, their motivations, and values.
- Excellent at collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing.
- Excited and able to drive starting new IP’s from scratch.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
- Generate pitches for new game experiences.
- Break experiences down into the required systems, mechanics, and supporting content.
- Hire & lead additional design staff when required.
- Work directly with Art & Engineering to acquire needed support.
- Work directly with Marketing to scope markets and targets audiences.
- Evaluate and coordinate with co-development partners.
- Ensure design vision gets built to the quality bar.
- Drive playtesting, take feedback, pivot, tuning, and support marketing efforts.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Has shipped a game using Unreal Engine and Blueprint.
- Has taken at least 1 idea from incubation to shipped game.
- Has shipped two games on modern consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch).
- Has a minimum of 10 years of related or equivalent work experience.
PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Systems Design & Critical Thinking
- Psychology & Evolutionary Biology
- Learning Theory & Communication Theory
- Procedural Content & Architecture
- UX, AI, & Python Scripting.
About ProbablyMonsters™
ProbablyMonsters is a AAA independent video game company that aims to change the way games are made. We unite a diverse roster of development teams in a healthy, rewarding culture. We believe empowered creators build the most engaging games and deliver the best player experiences.
ProbablyMonsters is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Benefits:
- We provide a rich benefits package:
- Medical Coverage - health, dental, and vision paid at 100% for the employee and dependents are subsidized by the Company.
- Healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance.
- 401(k) with an annual contribution by the Company.
- Paid holidays and vacation, bereavement leaves, and parental leave.
Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part-time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.
Compensation:
- This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, exempt (salaried) position.
- The full salary range for this position is $197,000 - $305,600 per year. The upper third of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time. When an offer is made, many factors are considered, such as your unique experience and skills, where you live, where the work will be performed, what similar jobs pay and internal equity.
- In addition to base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for additional incentives, such as short- and long-term incentives. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.
View Full Job Description
$197.0K - $305.6K/yr (Outscal est.)
$251.3K/yr avg.
Washington, United States
About The Company
ProbablyMonsters is a AAA independent video game company that aims to change the way games are made. We unite a diverse roster of development teams in a healthy, rewarding culture. We believe that empowered creators will deliver the best player experiences and industry-defining games. Our development teams are Cauldron™, Battle Barge™, and multiple incubation teams.
