Senior Narrative Systems Designer

3 Weeks ago • 5 Years + • Game Story Writing/Narrative Design • $112,000 PA - $161,000 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

Sanzaru Games seeks a Senior Narrative Systems Designer to craft immersive game features, transforming abstract ideas into detailed rules and models. Responsibilities include conceptualizing and implementing narrative content in Unreal Engine 5, collaborating with Level Designers and Engineers on quests, objectives, and global gameplay mechanics, creating technical documentation, and implementing and presenting systems prototypes. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of game design experience, proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 Blueprint, experience with 3D modeling software, and excellent communication skills. The role requires a deep understanding of narrative design, system architecture, and game balance, with a passion for creating unforgettable gaming experiences across various features, including cinematics and quests.
Must have:
  • 5+ years game design experience
  • Unreal Engine 5 Blueprint proficiency
  • System design & implementation skills
  • Collaboration & communication skills
  • 3D modeling software knowledge
Good to have:
  • C++, XML scripting experience
  • VR development experience
  • Combat and character mechanics knowledge
Perks:
  • Bonus
  • Equity
  • Benefits

Job Details

Sanzaru Games is seeking an experienced Narrative Systems Designer to join our team. In this role, you'll craft immersive game-wide features, transforming abstract ideas into detailed rules and models that drive the player experience. Your work will span AI, combat mechanics, boss encounters, and narrative systems, all designed to create unforgettable gaming experiences. Narrative Systems Designers play a vital role in our game development process, working hand-in-hand with art and engineering teams to craft immersive experiences that blend engaging narrative moments with polished gameplay mechanics. By balancing vision with technical knowledge, our Narrative Designers ensure that every aspect of the game contributes to a seamless and captivating player journey. Our narrative designers are the technical storytelling core within a Studio that crafts world class Cinematic, Narrative and Questing systems. You will be expected to work on a variety of features throughout production, be it Cinematics, Audio & VO, Questing or any other feature that is story driven.

Senior Narrative Systems Designer - Sanzaru Game Studio Responsibilities

  • Conceptualize and drive designs from paper to final system architecture

  • Under the direction of the Narrative Lead, implement narrative content using Unreal Engine 5

  • Partner and collaborate with Level Designers and other stakeholders to stand up Quests and Objectives

  • Level scripting and setup using script-based languages like UE5 Blueprint

  • Collaborate with Gameplay Engineers on developing global gameplay mechanics

  • Work within the design team to support global and level specific systems needs

  • Create and maintain technical documentation related to narrative tools within the studio and with development partners

  • Employ rapid prototypes, implement and present regular onscreen deliverables of all systems

  • Evaluate features needed to improve and streamline implementation of gameplay systems

  • Gather and act on game balance feedback with the aim of creating the best experience for all players

Minimum Qualifications

  • 5+ years of design experience in games industry

  • Portfolio or work samples showcasing Narrative Design work

  • Experience identifying system design issues and creating solutions

  • Intermediate knowledge of Maya or another major 3D modeling program

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or other demonstrable skill at organizing large datasets

  • Experience communicating with cross-functional team members

  • Gamer and daily gaming enthusiast

  • Experience shifting focus as needed and changing priorities

  • Familiarity working in VR

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with combat and character mechanics and knowledge of game animation and game feel

  • Working knowledge of C++, Blueprint or XML scripting

  • VR enthusiast following gaming trends within the Virtual Reality space

For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information.

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

$112,000/year to $161,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, fill out the Accommodations request form.

Similar Jobs

SKYDANCE - Lead Software Engineer, RenderMan

SKYDANCE

Madrid, Community Of Madrid, Spain (On-Site)
8 Months ago
ICON Creative Studio - Lead Modeling/Texturing Artist

ICON Creative Studio

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
3 Months ago
TiMi Studio Group - Animator Intern

TiMi Studio Group

Quebec, Canada (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Endless Studios - Art Mentor

Endless Studios

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Remote)
9 Months ago
Streamline Media Group  Inc  - VFX Artist

Streamline Media Group Inc

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (On-Site)
9 Months ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Technical Narrative Designer

CD PROJEKT RED

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (Hybrid)
3 Weeks ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Senior VFX Artist

CD PROJEKT RED

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Paper Games - Storyboard Artist - Infinite Warmth

Paper Games

Shanghai, Shanghai, China (On-Site)
1 Week ago
SmileGate - Quest Planning

SmileGate

Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (On-Site)
1 Week ago
G5 Games - Lead Narrative Designer

G5 Games

(Remote)
1 Week ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Welevel - Senior Gameplay Animator

Welevel

Munich, Bavaria, Germany (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Lead FX Artist

Ubisoft

Montpellier, Occitanie, France (On-Site)
4 Weeks ago
Ubisoft - 3D Animator

Ubisoft

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
Seedify - Technical Artist

Seedify

Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam (Remote)
21 Hours ago
Sperasoft - Senior 3D Vegetation Artist

Sperasoft

Vojvodina, Serbia (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Haptic - Lead Environment Artist

Haptic

Paris, Île-de-France, France (Remote)
3 Months ago
CI Games  - Animation Outsourcing Assistant

CI Games

England, United Kingdom (Remote)
6 Days ago
Xentrix Studios - Modeling – Junior Artist

Xentrix Studios

India (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Bladework Games - Senior VFX Artist

Bladework Games

Remote, Oregon, United States (Remote)
3 Weeks ago
QUANTIC DREAM - Associate Animation Director

QUANTIC DREAM

Paris, Île-de-France, France (Hybrid)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in San Mateo, California, United States

ByteDance - Senior Software Engineer, Anti-DDoS - Network Security

ByteDance

San Jose, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Activision - Associate Manager, Consumer Marketing

Activision

Santa Monica, California, United States (On-Site)
2 Days ago
Meta - Software Engineer, Systems ML - SW/HW Co-design

Meta

Austin, Texas, United States (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Barracuda Networks  Inc  - Channel Solution Architect

Barracuda Networks Inc

Illinois, United States (Remote)
1 Month ago
ByteDance - Research Engineer Graduate (Vision AI Platform)

ByteDance

San Jose, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Inworld AI - AI Trainer (Contractor) - Writing & Gaming

Inworld AI

Mountain View, California, United States (Remote)
4 Weeks ago
Google - Field Sales Representative, Enterprise Growth

Google

Boulder, Colorado, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
The Walt Disney Company - Director, Ad Monetization & Insights

The Walt Disney Company

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Skybound Entertainment - Senior Franchise Producer, The Walking Dead

Skybound Entertainment

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
5 Months ago
ByteDance - Senior Research Scientist, Foundation Model, Speech Understanding

ByteDance

San Jose, California, United States (On-Site)
5 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Game Story Writing/Narrative Design Jobs

Larian Studios - Writer

Larian Studios

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
6 Months ago
PearlAbyss - Scenario and Dialogue Setting Specialist

PearlAbyss

(On-Site)
3 Months ago
ARVORE Immersive Experiences - TALENTS' BANK | ARVORE Immersive Experiences

ARVORE Immersive Experiences

São Paulo, State Of São Paulo, Brazil (On-Site)
9 Months ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Illustration Team Lead

CD PROJEKT RED

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Illumination - Storyboard Artist Intern - Summer 2025

Illumination

Santa Monica, California, United States (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
CD PROJEKT RED - Senior Weapons Artist

CD PROJEKT RED

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
2 Months ago
ZeniMax Media - Senior Narrative Animator

ZeniMax Media

Cockeysville, Maryland, United States (Remote)
3 Weeks ago
Remedy Entertainment Plc - Cinematic Designer

Remedy Entertainment Plc

Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Larian Studios - RPG Designer

Larian Studios

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland (On-Site)
9 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

The Oculus team at Facebook lets people experience anything, anywhere, with anyone through world-class VR hardware and software. With global departments dedicated to VR research, computer vision, haptics, social interaction, and more, Oculus is committed to driving the state of the art forward through relentless innovation. 

The Oculus suite of hardware currently includes: Rift, our high-end PC VR headset; Touch controllers, to bring your hands into virtual reality; and Gear VR, to bring the magic with you wherever you are—all powered by the Oculus Platform. Since being founded in 2012—and furthered through our acquisition by Facebook in 2014—Oculus has grown from the idea of a single headset to multiple headsets, a powerful platform, and a thriving ecosystem. 

Our developer community has built nearly a thousand games, apps, and experiences, all available on the Oculus Store. As we continue to grow the possibilities of the technology, we’re partnering with communities and nonprofits from around the world to drive social change and foster a positive impact. VR’s potential to connect the world is immense—and we’re just getting started.

Burlingame, California, United States (Remote)

Burlingame, California, United States (Remote)

Burlingame, California, United States (Remote)

San Mateo, California, United States (Remote)

Austin, Texas, United States (On-Site)

Washington, United States (Remote)

Burlingame, California, United States (Remote)

San Mateo, California, United States (Remote)

San Mateo, California, United States (Remote)

Washington, United States (Remote)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by Oculus VR

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

Transform Your Passion into Profession with Our Comprehensive Courses for Aspiring Game Developers.

Job Common Plug