Senior Technical Designer - Narrative Scripter

That's No Moon is seeking a Senior Technical Designer to lead Narrative Scripting, specifically focusing on level dialogue implementation for an upcoming AAA third-person action-adventure game. This role involves driving interactive story and dialogue, collaborating with engineering, animation, writers, and audio designers to implement content, resolve workflow issues, and establish content pipelines. The ideal candidate will ensure the game's creative direction and narrative goals are met through effective dialogue planning and execution.

Must Have

• Own Narrative Scripting, specifically level dialogue implementation
• Drive interactive story and dialogue in the play space
• Work with engineering, animation, and design teams to implement content, solve workflow issues, and create content pipelines
• Collaborate closely with writers, game designers, and audio designers to develop a comprehensive plan for level dialogue
• Create supporting documentation that helps facilitate clear, efficient writing for the narrative team
• Research and collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure authenticity in story, characters, and world
• Support other aspects of narrative and game design, including environmental storytelling
• Proficiency in using Unreal 5, particularly in implementing narrative elements and working with Blueprint
• Substantial experience with scripting, branching dialogue, and other technical aspects of narrative design in game development

Good to Have

• Experience with text-based scripting and programming languages (e.g., XML, PERL, C++)
• Ability to prototype vision with own skills
• Ability to take and deliver feedback and constructive criticism
• Self-directed and comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced creative environment
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines
• A passion for storytelling and a creative mindset
• A generalist mindset, willing to learn various skills (e.g., prototype assets, animation, VFX, mocap, audio)
• Responsible for checking in script and level content without review and not breaking the build

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive and comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, flexible PTO, supplemental life and disability)
• Eligibility for other incentive compensation including equity and profit share

That's No Moon is an independent studio of storytellers and game-makers who believe in the power of narrative-driven experiences. With a diverse team of talented developers, our shared vision is to create the future of AAA experiences with a culture of creativity, collaboration, and responsible production practices. Our passionate team of developers helps shape our studio, our projects, and our future.

We are looking for a Senior Technical Designer to own Narrative Scripting – specifically level dialogue implementation in our upcoming AAA third-person action-adventure game. As a key member of the design team, you will drive interactive story and dialogue in the play space. The ideal candidate has experience working with narrative, design, audio, and other stakeholders to ideate, plan, and implement scripted dialogue on shipped AAA titles.

Responsibilities:

• Work with engineering, animation, and design teams to implement content, solve workflow issues, and create content pipelines.
• Collaborate closely with writers, game designers, and audio designers to develop a comprehensive plan for level dialogue that supports the game’s creative direction and narrative goals.
• Create supporting documentation that helps facilitate clear, efficient writing for the other members of the narrative team.
• Research and collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure all grounded, real-world aspects of the story, characters, and world are represented with empathy and authenticity.
• Support other aspects of narrative and game design in general, including implementing environmental storytelling or other tasks within the design department. You may also be asked to attend voiceover recording sessions and write, review, and/or edit text and dialogue.

Requirements & Skills:

• Proficiency in using Unreal 5, particularly in implementing narrative elements and working with Blueprint.
• Knowledge of and interest in the type of game we are making.
• Interest in establishing story intent and pacing for mission dialogue.
• Substantial experience with scripting, branching dialogue, and other technical aspects of narrative design in game development.
• Experience with text-based scripting and programming languages (e.g. XML, PERL, C++) is a bonus.

Qualities:

• We believe in ownership, so the more of your vision that you can prototype with your own skills, the better.
• The ability to take and deliver feedback and constructive criticism.
• Self-directed and comfortable working and delivering in a dynamic and fast-paced creative environment.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across disciplines.
• A passion for storytelling and a creative mindset that can bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to the project.
• A generalist. Learn whatever skills will help you complete your vision. From making prototype assets, to animation, VFX, mocap, audio, etc – a designer is a versatile person. You will have stellar artists and engineers to help you, but the more you can present a singular vision to us with your prototype work, the more excited we will get about it!
• Responsible. You will be checking in script and level content without review. It’s your job not to break the build.

TNM considers a number of factors when determining each role's base pay range, including industry benchmarks, location, experience, and other job specific skills. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for other incentive compensation including equity and profit share. The estimated base pay range for this role is U.S. only and not applicable for locations outside of the U.S.

The estimated base pay range for this role is: $120k - $150k

TNM offers competitive and comprehensive benefits that include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, flexible PTO, supplemental life and disability, and more. Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary based on country of residence and/or part-time or temporary employment status.

That's No Moon is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ancestry, color, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, legally protected physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To those interested in submitting for roles at That's No Moon, we have a few reminders to ensure a safe application process.

_1. If one of our recruiters reaches out to you, it will be with a "@thatsnomoon.com" email address. We do not email via personal email addresses either.

2. We do not conduct interviews via Discord or WhatsApp.

3. We will not ask you to provide sensitive personal information.

4. We will never request that you buy equipment specifically for your interview/test._

We are saddened that people are being taken advantage of and ask that, if you ever have any doubts about whether you are speaking to an official member of the That's No Moon team, to reach out to our official social handles directly.

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