Copy of Senior Systems Designer

Posted 13 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
San Mateo, CA, USA
Hybrid
113K-167K Annually
Senior level
Gaming • Information Technology • Mobile • Software • Esports
2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment for video game consoles, personal computers, and mobile devices.
The Role
Drive complex multiplayer game features from concept through implementation, focusing on economy design, reward systems, player progression, and systemic content. Collaborate cross-functionally, implement and iterate features in Unreal Engine, analyze economy models, respond to feedback, provide design leadership, mentor peers, and align stakeholders around feature goals and game quality.
Summary Generated by Built In

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who We Are:

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games.  We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

What We Need:

We’re looking for a Senior Systems Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. In this role, you’ll be a key feature driver, partnering with various cross functional teams to shape how players grow, are rewarded, and evolve over time! You have proven expertise in game economy design, reward systems, and the intentional design work needed to balance the complex relationship between them. You can both communicate and document design features, intent and specs clearly and work in-engine to bring those experiences to reality. You seamlessly form strong working relationships among peers of different disciplines, bring others with you towards a shared vision, and proactively work with production & game leadership to make it a reality. We’re a studio that values autonomy and self-drive in developers who are empowered to do the best work of their careers. If this is you, let’s talk!

What You'll Do:

  • Drive a small portfolio of complex features through initial creative input, stakeholder buy-in and alignment, consistent design reviews, and day-to-day execution. 
  • Respond quickly to feedback with stable in-engine updates and iterate rapidly.
  • Provide design leadership within your feature area while contributing to broader game quality by mentoring others and sharing insights.
  • Reliably source ideas from around the studio, combining with own proposals and references to other products, in order to quickly solve and innovate within design challenges.
  • Work cross-functionally within and outside of your team to communicate and align on the work, tradeoffs and dependencies. Radiate changes across the organization; set and mobilize against feature goals; and provide forward-looking direction aligned with greater design philosophy. 
  • Share best practices and techniques with peers to improve the overall experience

What Will Make You A Great Fit:

  • Strong experience with Unreal Engine and Blueprint visual scripting; programming experience (C++, C#, etc.) is a plus.
  • Proven experience designing and implementing gameplay features in released multiplayer games, with a strong focus on reward loops, systemic content integration, and player-driven optionality.
  • Theory-crafting skillset & past experience designing for depth and multiplayer gameplay.
  • Quantitative and analytical, with past experience building and interrogating economy models and simulations to validate and align design decisions.
  • Deep understanding of the various components (UI, Art, Engineering, Audio, VFX, etc.) that come together to achieve an unparalleled player experience.
  • A self-starter who can align with the team's goals but isn't hesitant to create solutions of their own.
  • Capable of rapidly filtering large volumes of feedback into concrete and useful improvements.
  • Ability to flexibly design, implement, and iterate under tight deadlines & production constraints. 
  • Well-played in the multiplayer PvP / Competitive Space and able to deconstruct what works and why.
  • Capability to abstract designs outside of single solutions into patterns and models of player behavior; providing options and flexible design solutions 

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $112,700 and $166,820 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.

#LI-Onsite
#LI-Hybrid

Skills Required

  • Strong experience with Unreal Engine and Blueprint visual scripting
  • Experience designing and implementing gameplay features in released multiplayer games
  • Experience with reward loops, systemic content integration, and player-driven optionality
  • Experience designing for depth and multiplayer gameplay
  • Experience building and analyzing economy models and simulations
  • Understanding of UI, art, engineering, audio, VFX, and other disciplines involved in game development
  • Ability to rapidly filter feedback into concrete improvements
  • Ability to design, implement, and iterate under tight deadlines and production constraints
  • Experience with multiplayer PvP or competitive games
  • Ability to abstract designs into player behavior patterns, models, and flexible solutions
  • Programming experience with C++, C#, or similar languages
  • Ability to mentor others and provide design leadership
  • Strong cross-functional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder alignment skills

What the Team is Saying

2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, with medical, dental, vision, mental-health resources and fitness/wellness perks available in many locations. It is often regarded as a strong part of the overall package.
  • Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company matching and related retirement programs are consistently highlighted. These offerings help employees build long-term savings and are considered competitive for the industry.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — The package includes paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, parental leave, compassionate leave, and an end-of-year break. Time-off policies are generally seen as a solid benefit, though specifics can vary by team and location.

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The Company
HQ: Novato, CA
4,200 Employees
Year Founded: 2005

What We Do

2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM. At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!

Why Work With Us

We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We push ourselves creatively to do the best work of our careers. We’re direct, open, and you’ll probably meet some new best friends – along with their dogs – sitting nearby. In short, it’s kinda awesome.

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2K Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

We are a blend of onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. Please refer to individual job descriptions for more details on location.

Typical time on-site: Flexible
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