Senior Level Designer
About the job
SummaryBy Outscal
Must have:
- 5+ years of experience in game development or related field
- Exemplary design experience in interactive media
- Strong understanding of level design principles
- Excellent composition skills
- Deep understanding of environmental design and its functions within a game
- Strong understanding of lighting, mood, and color
- Ability to establish cross-departmental relationships and work collaboratively
- Familiarity with contemporary engines (Unreal, Unity, Godot, Source, etc.)
- Familiarity with contemporary platforms (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Steam Deck, etc.)
Good to have:
- Experience with basic scripting and encounter design configuration in Unreal or other game engines
- Shipped a triple AAA Game
- FPS or live service experience
- Experience with proprietary terrain sculpting tools
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Description
Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) is a proud, independent studio that joins forces with developers and publishers seeking an innovative partner in creating quality games. At BSG, people are our purpose, so we prioritize an inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative work environment for all our squirrels. We currently have studio locations in Irvine, California; Austin, Texas; and Auckland, New Zealand.
Skills and experience are highly valued at BSG, but we recognize that talent is a product of hard-work, resilience, and a growth-mindset. We champion individuals who have demonstrated they have the grit necessary to overcome challenges and subscribe to the notion that inclusion breeds synergy and innovation. To us, diversity isn't a metric—it's a must!
Location: This is a full-time position in our Irvine, CA office, with consideration for remote candidates located in the western United States, subject to organizational needs.
Salary: The salary range being considered for this role is $95,000 - $115,000 USD. This base pay range is for the U.S. and is not applicable to locations outside of the U.S. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.
Role and Responsibilities
Blind Squirrel Games is looking for a Senior Level Designer. The Senior Level Designer will be responsible for creating and implementing a suite of different game assets as it relates to level design.
The ideal candidate for this role is a self-driven, talented individual who is comfortable with systems and encounter design but has a knack for designing stimulating and immersive levels. They aren’t afraid to step in to help other designers craft the best possible experience for the player.
Responsibilities
- Work with and take guidance from Directors to drive design-centric features from concept to completion
- Collaborate cross-departmentally to ensure environments remain consistent with theme and concept art
- Build comprehensive and engaging elements that apply ergonomic principles and accessibility
- Support world-building and level layout by composing environments using asset placement and terrain sculpting and painting
- Own the creation of levels from block-out through final set dressing
- Standardize, document and advocate for high-quality design fundamentals, continuously improving the workflow process as it relates to the game's interactive elements such as game systems, controls, and interfaces
- Participate in and contribute to cross-functional discussions related to the development and implementation of tools and required game systems adjustments as they relate to level design
- Assist in mentoring junior members of the design team regarding best level design practices
- Other relevant duties and responsibilities as assigned to help complete company or department objectives
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in the game industry or related area
- A portfolio demonstrating exemplary design experience working in interactive media
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity performing basic scripting and encounter design configuration tasks within Unreal or other game engines
- Strong sense of level design, scale, pacing, and gameplay flow
- Excellent composition skills
- Deep understanding of environmental design and its functions within a game
- Strong understanding of lighting, mood, and color
- Ability to establish cross-departmental relationships and work collaboratively
- Familiarity with contemporary engines (Unreal, Unity, Godot, Source, etc.)
- Familiarity with contemporary platforms (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, Steam Deck, etc.)
Pluses
- Shipped a triple AAA Game
- FPS or live service experience
- Experience with any proprietary terrain sculpting tools
Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligibility to participate in benefits and perks may vary depending on position term and location.
Notice to Job Applicants that certain personal information is collected as a part of this application process and submission of your application is considered your acknowledgment that you have read and understand our policies applicable to such process and consent to the collection and processing of your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. To review our policies, please visit our [website] and click [“Privacy”].
View Full Job Description
$95000L - $115000L/yr (Outscal est.)
$105000L/yr avg.
Irvine, California, United States
About The Company
Blind Squirrel Games is an independent video game studio located in Orange Country, CA; Austin, TX; & Auckland, NZ.
We are a team of passionate and talented game developers dedicated to creating AAA gaming experiences across all platforms. Our high-quality HD remasters have reshaped and reimagined some of the most storied titles in the industry. We build original creations that will become memorable titles for the future.
