Destiny Armor and Weapons Feature Lead (Senior to Staff)

Are you passionate about designing unforgettable gameplay systems and leading a team to deliver high-impact features? Do you thrive at the intersection of player fantasy, mechanical depth, and team collaboration? Do you dream about exotic armor and weapons that redefine player builds and the sandbox meta? Bungie is seeking a highly driven and creative Armor and Weapons Feature Lead to own and guide the development of Destiny 2's buildcrafting tools—armor, mods, and weapons—across multiple releases.

As the Armor and Weapons Feature Lead, you’ll shape the vision for Destiny’s core build systems, from exotic armor and mods to seasonal and exotic weapons. You will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams including design, engineering, animation, VFX, audio, and production to deliver cohesive and satisfying sandbox experiences. You will guide a team of designers, mentor junior talent, and ensure high-quality execution of features that fuel power fantasies and inspire player experimentation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own and drive the long-term vision for Destiny 2’s armor and weapons systems, aligning with game-wide goals and creative direction.
• Lead the design, implementation, and iteration of armor mods, exotic armor, seasonal weapons, and exotic weapons that feel great to use and offer meaningful gameplay choices.
• Champion a cohesive buildcrafting ecosystem that supports diverse playstyles and empowers player expression.
• Collaborate with adjacent feature teams (Abilities, Activities, Rewards, Economy) to ensure sandbox systems serve a holistic gameplay experience.
• Mentor and guide a team of designers, providing feedback, career support, and opportunities for growth.
• Coordinate with production partners to plan and scope work, track progress, and ensure timely delivery of features across multiple releases.
• Represent the Armor and Weapons team in leadership syncs, playtests, and milestone reviews.
• Foster a healthy and collaborative team culture rooted in trust, feedback, and iteration.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• 5+ years of professional game design experience, including ownership of significant gameplay systems on a shipped, combat-focused title.
• Deep understanding of moment-to-moment gameplay feel, especially in action games (camera tuning, aim assist, rumble, animation timing, hit reactions, etc.).
• Proven ability to lead cross-disciplinary features from concept through ship.
• Intuitive grasp of player motivation, engagement loops, and what makes loot rewarding.
• Ability to create clear, actionable design documentation and articulate feature vision to a wide audience.
• Portfolio or shipped work demonstrating a track record of designing engaging, mechanically sound gameplay.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and mentoring skills.
• Self-motivated, curious, and comfortable navigating ambiguity while driving toward a shared goal.

A staff-level designer should also have the following skills:

• Extensive experience driving the vision and execution of interconnected gameplay systems across multiple releases, with a proven ability to align diverse disciplines around cohesive, player-centric feature goals.
• Track record of building and leading high-performing design teams, including mentoring Senior Designers, shaping team culture, and fostering long-term career development within a live service environment.
• Deep expertise in balancing sandbox systems and gameplay economies at scale, with the ability to anticipate meta shifts, manage power creep, and design for long-term player engagement across varied archetypes and playstyles.

NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS

• Experience managing or mentoring other designers.
• Familiarity with Destiny 2's sandbox systems, including armor, mods, perks, and weapons.
• Technical experience working within a proprietary engine or scripting complex game systems.
• Strong instincts for pacing, animation, and the visual/auditory clarity of combat systems.
• Background in multiplayer or live service games.