Principal Combat Designer
Job Summary
Job Description
The Principal Combat Designer will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining high-quality melee-first combat systems. They will shape unique combat styles across a variety of characters, including melee and ranged systems. The role involves collaborating with various teams, owning combat features, setting success metrics, partnering with enemy designers, documenting, and mentoring others. The designer will be expected to design melee and ranged combat aligning with the creative vision and core fantasy, Build projectile systems, Create distinct playstyles, Collaborate with AI, animation, level, audio, and narrative to build cohesive combat, Set goals and metrics to measure the success of each combat system, Partner with enemy designers to build reactive and challenging combat AI.
Must have:
- Proven success in designing melee combat in 3rd person action games
- Experience balancing character archetypes and unique mechanics
- Strong skills in designing ranged and projectile systems
- Ability to adapt designs within established IPs
Good to have:
- Shipped at least one AAA title using UE4/UE5 or a similar game engine
- A passion for player-first melee combat
- Familiarity with scripting tools like Blueprint
- Strong grasp of combat design theory
Perks:
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Pension
- Referral rewards
- Flexible benefits
- Savings on tech, bikes, and more
- Flexible working, generous holidays, birthday & duvet days, Christmas break, and sabbaticals
- Private healthcare, dental, EAP, life cover, and wellness support
- Learning days, volunteer time, structured growth, and regular reviews
- Studio socials & events and a gaming subscription
3 skills required
Job Details
About Sumo Digital, Sheffield
Founded in 2003, Sumo Sheffield was the first of the Sumo Digital studios. Firmly established as the premium development partner of leading publishers, we are trusted to deliver high quality games associated with some of the most iconic and valued properties in the industry. We are also generating innovative new IP! With a highly skilled body of over 300 developers we work across all platforms, on a selection of AAA games covering multiple genres including Sports, FPS, and platform adventure.
Day in the life of a Principal Combat Designer:
We are looking for a Principal Combat Designer to join Sumo Digital. This is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact and play a pivotal role in developing an ambitious new AAA third-person action RPG based on a globally recognised and beloved IP, featuring a diverse roster of playable characters and combat archetypes.
As a Principal Combat Designer, you will be responsible for defining, building, and maintaining high-quality, melee-first combat systems that support and enhance the game’s core fantasy. You will help shape unique combat styles across a variety of playable characters, including melee and ranged/projectile systems that provide tactical variety and depth. In addition to being a master of your craft, you will mentor others, champion consistency, and ensure the game delivers genre-defining action that respects and elevates the IP.
Within this role you will:
• Design melee and ranged combat aligned with the creative vision and core fantasy
• Build projectile systems that enhance and work alongside melee-focused combat
• Create distinct playstyles across archetypes with unique combat roles and identity
• Collaborate with AI, animation, level, audio, and narrative to build cohesive combat
• Own combat features from early design through implementation and release
• Set goals and metrics to measure the success of each combat system you lead
• Partner with enemy designers to build reactive and challenging combat AI
• Deliver clear and thorough documentation for internal and external use
• Mentor designers and support their growth with feedback and guidance
What do you need to do this job:
• Proven success designing melee combat in third-person action or RPG games
• Experience balancing distinct character archetypes and unique mechanics
• Strong skills in designing ranged and projectile systems for player use
• Ability to adapt designs within the rules and tone of established IPs
• Deep understanding of pacing, encounter flow, and player readability
• Strong communication and collaboration across disciplines and partners
• Experience tuning enemy AI systems for responsive combat encounters
• Strong written and verbal communication, including presentation skills
• Leadership abilities to guide features and mentor other designers
You will also need to demonstrate that you have:
• Shipped at least one AAA title using UE4/UE5 or a similar game engine
• A passion for expressive, responsive, player-first melee combat
• Familiarity with scripting tools like Blueprint to support prototyping
• Strong grasp of combat design theory and player engagement principles
• Experience working with licensors to protect and express IP authenticity
What’s in it for you?
At Sumo, you’re in control of your benefits, tailored to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and growth.
• Discretionary bonus scheme, pension, referral rewards, flexible benefits*, and savings on tech, bikes, and more.
• Flexible working, generous holidays, birthday & duvet days, Christmas break, and sabbaticals.
• Private healthcare*, dental*, EAP, life cover, and wellness support.
• Learning days, volunteer time, structured growth, and regular reviews.
• Studio socials & events and a gaming subscription.
*Optional via our flexible benefits platform.
Inclusion and Belonging at Sumo Digital
At Sumo Digital, we believe that when people feel supported, valued, and empowered, they create their best work and that’s what drives our success.
We’re committed to building a sustainable, people-first business where everyone can thrive. Our focus is on nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and creating a healthy, inclusive, and enriching environment where everyone feels they truly belong.
PRISM, our employee-led diversity group, champions inclusion, equity, and wellbeing across all our studios. It plays a vital role in shaping a culture where every voice is heard, every background is respected, and every team member feels safe, welcome, and represented.
We’re proud to support meaningful causes through our charitable and community initiatives-reflecting the passions and values of our people, partners, and players.
We’re actively working to improve diversity in our recruitment and career development processes, and we encourage individuals from underrepresented and marginalised communities to explore careers at Sumo Digital.
Together, we’re building a studio where everyone can grow, contribute, and feel proud to be part of something special.
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