Lead Systems Designer - Raven Software

2 Weeks ago • 8 Years + • Systems Design

About the job

Summary

Lead Systems Designer at Raven Software is responsible for inspiring, mentoring, and leading a team in crafting high-quality gaming experiences. This role requires collaboration with various teams (Creative Directors, Designers, Engineers, etc.) to deliver world-class game systems. Responsibilities include research, design pitching, documentation maintenance, upholding system designs in live environments, goal setting, mentoring team members, scripting game mechanics, playtesting and feedback, and championing best practices. The ideal candidate possesses 8+ years of experience in game system design, with 5+ years as a Lead Designer, and strong expertise in scripting languages. A deep understanding of Call of Duty and the F2P game space is crucial.
Must have:
  • 8+ years game system design experience
  • 5+ years as Lead Designer
  • Scripting language proficiency
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Call of Duty franchise understanding
Good to have:
  • Experience with games-as-a-service
  • Visual software proficiency (Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Profound understanding of Warzone
Perks:
  • Medical, dental, vision insurance
  • 401k with company match
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Relocation assistance (if applicable)
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs
Not hearing back from companies?
Unlock the secrets to a successful job application and accelerate your journey to your next opportunity.

Job Title:

Lead Systems Designer - Raven Software

Requisition ID:

R023923

Job Description:

Your Mission

Your mission is to inspire, mentor, and lead the system design team towards creating highly tuned player-first experiences that will be enjoyed by millions of gamers across the globe.  You will be a trusted gatekeeper for performance, efficiency, and quality.  You will provide your team with guidance, goals, opportunities, and resources.  Our Lead Designers are role-models that not only manage the team through challenge and change, but also build up individuals into highly engaged, efficient, and effective teammates.   You must thrive in a challenging and often ambiguous environment. An agile and flexible mindset is also necessary since this position actively partners with a variety of internal and external partners. Above all, we are looking for an innovative and dedicated leader to help tell our story.

What you bring to the table

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:    

  • Collaborate with Creative Directors, Designers, Engineers, Artists, Producers, and Animators to deliver world-class game systems.
  • Research subject matter relating to objectives to ensure an authentic experience.
  • Be a proactive self-starter that can independently execute high-level direction.
  • Clearly and effectively pitch designs and features using multimedia tools.
  • Create, review, and maintain design documents and systems specifications with an eye toward systems design and then provide verbal and written assessments of the same.
  • Uphold system designs during a live environment.
  • Define team goals, action plans, and schedules for the project.
  • Be a trusted gatekeeper for performance, efficiency, and quality.
  • Lead, task, mentor and conduct one-to-one meetings with other System Designers.
  • Provide your team with guidance, goals, opportunities, and resources.
  • Use scripting tools to create, iterate, and balance game mechanics and systems.
  • Play builds of games in-progress and provide concise and prioritized feedback to both internal teams and external partners.
  • Interface with other teams to ensure systems are understood and utilized.
  • Champion best practices and advocate towards streamlining tools and processes.
  • Possess a comprehensive understanding of the design process spanning all facets of the game.
  • Work closely with our user-testing teams during play-balancing to provide expert feedback.

Minimum Requirements

Experience

  • 8 total years in the games industry working in a system design capacity.
  • 5+ years as a Lead Designer
  • Experience with programming/scripting languages.

Knowledge & Skills

  • Solid understanding of systems and gameplay design with ability to clearly discuss modern trends.
  • Ability to write high and low-level documentation (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Visio, etc.).

Key Attributes

  • Ability to lead by example echoed through a professional and egoless personality.
  • Rock-solid communication skills.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
  • Passion for Call of Duty, with understanding of the franchise’s progression and reward systems.
  • Hunger for gaming (especially online) with a broad range of game experience.

Extra Points

Experience

  • Prior experience working on a games-as-a-service product.
  • Experience with visual software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).

Knowledge & Skills

  • Profound understanding of the Call of Duty franchise and Warzone.
  • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the F2P games space.

Your Platform

Here at Raven, we pride ourselves on our unique vision for the industry that continues to inspire us after more than 30 years.  We developed a team that cares about one another, our games, and our players.  We treat each other with respect.  We bring no egos. We focus on what is best for the game. We hire stunning peers.  We own our mistakes.  As we enter the next exciting chapter of our story, we are looking for people to grow with us. If you want to work with a world-class team, on exciting new projects, then apply today! We look forward to hearing from you.

Our World

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™, and Guitar Hero®. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.

We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization. 

We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater — this could be your opportunity to level up. 

Ready to Activate Your Future? 

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.  You can learn more by visiting .

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $97,200.00 - $179,900.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.
View Full Job Description
$97.2K - $179.9K/yr (Outscal est.)
$138.6K/yr avg.
Middleton, Wisconsin, United States

About The Company

Founded in 1979, Activision continues to disrupt the world of entertainment with its extensive roster of epic blockbuster games -- Pitfall®, Tony Hawk®, Guitar Hero®, Crash Bandicoot™, Skylanders™, Bungie’s Destiny and Call of Duty.®


As the leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products on consoles, mobile and PC, our “press start” is simple: delight players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.


Activision is headquartered in Santa Monica, and publishes globally in markets including U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, mainland China, Hong Kong and the region of Taiwan.


At Activision, we strive to connect and engage our global player community through entertainment. Our success comes from the passionate, talented and diverse team of people behind our world-class franchises. Ensuring Activision is an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive will help us deliver a new era of epic entertainment for our players.

California, United States (On-Site)

England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Wisconsin, United States (On-Site)

California, United States (On-Site)

California, United States (On-Site)

California, United States (On-Site)

British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)

Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)

California, United States (On-Site)

View All Jobs

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

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

Job Common Plug