Senior Game Designer

Maschinen-Mensch, the independent Berlin-based studio behind the critically acclaimed Mother Machine, Curious Expedition 1 & 2, and Codecks.io, is seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Game Designer to play a pivotal role in the ongoing development of exciting new DLC for Mother Machine, our highly procedural 1-4 player co-op action-RPG platformer.

Check it out on Steam.

Join our small, agile, and creative team where you'll not only be hands-on in designing, prototyping, and implementing gameplay systems but also take ownership in guiding and elevating the design quality of our growing team. This is an exciting opportunity to significantly impact the future of a beloved title and contribute to a collaborative and supportive environment.

Your responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with the Game Director and the design team to brainstorm, develop, and champion innovative features and content for Mother Machine DLC.
• Take a senior role in driving design vision and ensuring the overall quality of the game, proactively proposing and implementing meaningful improvements.
• Hands-on prototyping and implementation of multiplayer-compatible features utilizing advanced Blueprint Visual Scripting within Unreal Engine.
• Leverage the Unreal Engine's Gameplay Ability System to design and implement flexible, tunable, and replicated RPG mechanics.
• Iterate on implemented features based on feedback and the evolving game ecosystem, ensuring they remain cohesive and impactful.
• Act as a key communication bridge, translating the Game Director's vision into clear design requirements and effectively communicating these to the design team.
• Serve as the first point of contact for designers, providing constructive feedback on their implemented prototypes and guiding their development.
• Maintain clear and up-to-date documentation for design specifications and game systems.
• Contribute to the growth and mentorship of junior design talent within the team.
• Help streamline internal design communication and processes.

Requirements:

• Proven experience as a Game Designer with at least one shipped title, ideally in a senior or lead role.
• Strong portfolio showcasing relevant Unreal Engine (4 or 5) experience, including demonstrable expertise in Blueprint Visual Scripting.
• Deep understanding of and practical experience working with procedural systems.
• Solid grasp of emergent game design principles and the ability to create interconnected gameplay systems.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive, and possesses a strong curiosity for innovative and experimental game mechanics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design concepts and provide constructive feedback.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).

Nice to have:

• Direct experience contributing to the design of Action RPGs.
• Previous experience in the design and development of cooperative multiplayer games.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine's Gameplay Ability System.

What we offer:

• A relaxed, family-friendly, no crunch policy working environment.
• Being part of a small, diverse, international team.
• Competitive salary.
• 25 days paid yearly vacation.
• The opportunity to work on a brand-new game and IP from an early stage.

Working remotely is possible from anywhere within Germany. If you’re based in Berlin (or willing to relocate) that’s definitely a plus, so that we can work together in person. Our studio is located at Saftladen, an indie game collective and co-working space for game developers that we co-founded in 2015.

We particularly encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, people of colour, and other groups that are underrepresented throughout the game industry.

Earliest start date: June 2025

Ready to take the lead in shaping the future of Mother Machine? If you're a passionate and experienced Senior Game Designer with a love for co-op experiences and Unreal Engine, we'd love to hear from you! Please apply on this form.