Senior Combat Designer

1 Month ago • 5 Years + • Combat Design • $110,000 PA - $150,000 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

The Senior Combat Designer will be responsible for designing and implementing engaging combat systems. This role involves close collaboration with design leadership, animators, engineers, and artists to create high-quality gameplay experiences. Key responsibilities include developing combat mechanics, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, authoring design documentation, analyzing playtest data, owning combat encounters, mentoring junior designers, and maintaining standards for all combat elements. The position requires a deep understanding of game design principles and the ability to drive the vision for exceptional combat experiences.
Must have:
  • 5+ years of game design experience with 2 shipped titles.
  • Deep understanding of player mechanics and AI behavior.
  • Proficiency with Unreal Engine 4.0+ or similar.
  • Strong prototyping skills with scripting languages.
  • Excellent communication and documentation skills.
  • Passion for creating satisfying combat systems.
Good to have:
  • Experience designing melee, ranged combat, or hybrid mechanics.
  • Background working on open-world or sandbox games.
  • Experience planning player skill and progression systems.
  • Knowledge of cinematic combat presentation and camera work.
  • Experience working with motion capture and/or animation pipelines.
Perks:
  • Full-time job with benefits.
  • Vacation time, sick time, company holidays.
  • Parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance.
  • Life insurance, disability insurance.
  • 401(k) matching, bonus, and equity (certain roles).

Job Details

Summary 

We are seeking a Senior Combat Designer to own the design and implementation of compelling combat systems. This person will work closely with design leadership, animators, engineers, and artists to deliver world-class moment-to-moment gameplay. 

Core Responsibilities 

  • Develop engaging combat mechanics, including player abilities, enemy behaviors, AI tactics, weapons, and camera systems. 
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to prototype, iterate, and polish combat features from concept through ship. 
  • Author and maintain design documentation, ensuring clarity and alignment across departments. 
  • Analyze playtest data and player feedback to continuously refine and balance combat systems. 
  • Own combat encounters and pacing in collaboration with level and narrative design teams. 
  • Mentor junior designers and contribute to the evolution of team processes and best practices. 
  • Maintain high standards for quality, responsiveness, and fun across all combat elements. 

Core Qualifications 

  • 5+ years of experience in game design with at least 2 shipped titles, including one in a senior or lead role focused on combat. 
  • Deep understanding of player mechanics, animation-driven gameplay, enemy design, and AI behavior. 
  • Professional proficiency with Unreal Engine 4.0+ or other applicable industry standard game engine. 
  • Strong prototyping skills with scripting languages or visual scripting systems (e.g., Blueprint, Lua, etc.). 
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and documentation skills. 
  • Passion for creating satisfying, intuitive, and deep combat systems across various player archetypes. 

Plus If 

  • Experience designing melee combat systems, ranged combat, or hybrid mechanics. 
  • Background working on open-world or sandbox games. 
  • Experience planning player skill and progression systems. 
  • Knowledge of cinematic combat presentation and camera work. 
  • Experience working with motion capture and/or animation pipelines. 

Description 

  • Full-time job with benefits. 
  • Role is on-site in San Rafael, CA or Santa Monica, CA. 

The base pay range for this position is $110,000 to $150,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity. 

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About The Company

San Rafael, California, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

San Rafael, California, United States (On-Site)

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)

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