Senior Designer

IllFonic is seeking an experienced Senior Designer for asymmetrical multiplayer video games and their single-player experiences. This role involves bridging creative vision and technical execution within Unreal Engine, ensuring robust and fun gameplay systems. The designer will work with the Design Director from concept to release, focusing on online multiplayer game development, communication, and resolving cross-disciplinary challenges to deliver high-quality player experiences across projects.

Must Have

• Design and implement core gameplay loops for single-player and multiplayer modes.
• Use Unreal Engine to assemble, tune, and solidify features.
• Design and tune complex progression systems, maintain weapon/ability balancing.
• Create detailed Game Design Documents (GDDs) and technical briefs.
• Foster a collaborative, positive, and productive team environment.
• 10+ years experience as Designer/Senior Designer on online multiplayer video games.
• Deep knowledge of online multiplayer game development process.
• Extensive experience with game engines like Unreal Engine 5.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools like Jira.

Good to Have

• Passion for asymmetrical multiplayer games.
• Experience with live service game models and post-launch content pipelines.
• Familiarity with managing multiple projects in remote/hybrid environments.
• Knowledge of current trends in multiplayer gaming, including monetization.

Perks & Benefits

• Flexible work location options including remote, hybrid or in office.
• 100% employee paid medical, dental and vision coverage + 50% for dependents.
• 401k + 4% company match.
• Competitive salary, career progression, and continued education support.
• Royalty Bonus Plan paid out quarterly.
• Unlimited PTO and over 4 weeks of mandated time off annually.
• Additional non-competitive endeavors allowed.

Senior Designer

We are seeking an experienced video game Designer for the development of asymmetrical multiplayer video games, as well as their related single player experiences. In this role, you will bridge the gap between creative vision and technical execution within Unreal Engine, ensuring our gameplay systems are robust, modular, and most importantly - fun. The Designer will work closely with the Design Director to drive these projects from concept to release, ensuring alignment with creative vision, technical requirements, and business objectives. This role requires deep expertise in online multiplayer game development, outstanding communication, and a proactive approach to resolving cross-disciplinary challenges to deliver high-quality, engaging player experiences across concurrent projects.

About the Company

Founded in 2007, IllFonic is an independent video game developer and publisher with studios in Lakewood, Colorado and Tacoma, Washington. Our staff is composed of video game, music, and technology veterans redefining how indie and middle-market games are made and marketed. Current and past titles / collaborations include the video game for Halloween, Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, Arcadegeddon, Predator: Hunting Grounds, Friday the 13th: The Game, Dead Alliance, Star Citizen, Evolve, Armored Warfare, and Nexuiz.

Responsibilities

• Gameplay System Architecture. Design and implement core gameplay loops for both narrative-driven single-player campaigns and high-stakes multiplayer modes. Monitor and maintain integrity of core gameplay systems throughout development with a gamer’s eye.
• UE Mastery. Learn and use existing gameplay infrastructure to assemble, tune, and solidify features in engine. Work with engineering to hone development workflow and create new intuitive features using the plethora of tools in Unreal.
• Economy & Balance. Design and tune complex progression systems, maintain weapon/ability balancing to always feel rewarding in a solo environment and fair in a competitive one.
• Documentation. Create detailed GDDs (Game Design Documents) and technical briefs that clearly communicate goals of incoming features to art, audio, and engineering teams for execution. Maintain integrity and accuracy of documents throughout development.
• Team Collaboration. Foster a collaborative, positive, and productive team environment. Support team members in resolving conflicts, clarifying priorities, and maintaining focus on project objectives.

Requirements

• Loves to play video games and has for a long time. Preferably real time combat based games with diehard communities, though, a wide variety of gaming experience is welcome.
• Proven experience (10+ years) as a Designer or Senior Designer on online multiplayer video games, with at least one shipped title in a similar role.
• Deep knowledge of the development process for online multiplayer games, including networking replication, matchmaking, server infrastructure, and live operations.
• Extensive experience with a feature-rich and complex game engine similar to Unreal Engine 5, applied to multiplayer game development.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to bridge technical and creative disciplines across multiple teams to execute on complex designs.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a track record of resolving cross-disciplinary blockers efficiently.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Jira or similar) and methodologies, with the ability to juggle multiple projects at different stages.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing competing priorities and stakeholders across concurrent projects.

Bonus Skills

• Passion for asymmetrical multiplayer games, with active engagement in playing and analyzing titles in the genre.
• Experience with live service game models and post-launch content pipelines.
• Familiarity with managing multiple projects at varying development stages in a remote or hybrid work environment.
• Knowledge of current trends in multiplayer gaming, including monetization and player engagement mechanics.

Benefits & Compensation

• Flexible work location options including remote, hybrid or in office.
• 100% employee paid medical, dental and vision coverage + 50% coverage for dependents.
• 401k + 4% company match.
• Competitive salary in the independent game developer market, with career progression and continued education encouraged and supported by management at all levels.
• Royalty Bonus Plan paid out after each calendar quarter during the year.
• Unlimited PTO and over 4 weeks of mandated time off of work annually including Summer Break (the week of 4th of July), Winter Break (the last two weeks of the year) and an additional 7 holidays during the year.
• Additional non-competitive endeavors allowed.