Crystal Dynamics is constantly seeking the best gaming talent worldwide to add to our 30-plus year legacy of game development creating new and iconic franchises. We are committed to making great games with great people and living the dream while doing it.
Benefits for our regular full-time positions include, but are not limited to, a competitive regional salary, 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance options, professional development reimbursement, flexible hybrid on-site/off-site work opportunities, 12 company paid holidays, plus additional paid days in December when the studio is closed for holiday break, and the ability to accrue additional paid time-off.
Join us and shape the future of an amazing studio culture committed to creating award-winning franchises like Tomb Raider, the next Perfect Dark, and more!
As a Lead Systems Designer focusing on Combat, you'll play a pivotal role in developing gameplay systems that engage our worldwide players. You'll meticulously design and adjust dynamic player experiences that align with our vision, delivering unmatched gameplay moments.
As a Lead Combat Systems Designer, you will:
- Lead your team in creating impactful combat mechanics, ensuring engaging and immersive player experiences.
- Engage in meaningful dialogues with fellow designers and leadership, transforming multifaceted design concepts into actual gameplay elements.
- Work closely with Engineers and Animators to create engaging combat mechanics.
- Collaborate with Level Designers, keeping them informed about the evolving design perspectives related to Combat.
- Adjust and hone gameplay features, always bearing in mind the project's timelines, technical boundaries, and overarching goals.
- Manage and mentor a team of designers, fostering their growth and ensuring high performance.
- Set clear goals and expectations for direct reports, providing actionable feedback and development opportunities.
- Ensure comprehensive documentation, providing a clear guide for the team.
- Collaborate with Production to form smart milestone goals, and task assignments that play to team strengths.
To be considered for this role, we require the following:
- Experience as a Lead or Principal Systems Designer (or equivalent), developing combat mechanics for high-fidelity games.
- Proven experience managing and mentoring a team of direct reports, with a focus on driving individual and group performance.
- Expert understanding of game design methodologies.
- Hands on expertise with visual scripting tools such as Kismet, Blueprint, or their equivalents.
- Comprehensive insight into animation systems or a demonstrated track record of collaborative endeavors with animation units.
Preference will be given to candidates who have:
- Experience creating systems for AAA FPS games for PC/Console.
- Advanced proficiency with Unreal Engine.
It'll be a bonus if you also have:
- Shipped multiple AAA titles.
The pay range for this role includes the annual base salary, not including bonus and the generous benefits package that Crystal Dynamics provides all full-time employees. Individual compensation is determined by work location within our approved states or regions, as well as additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education.
Your recruiter will be able to share more information about total compensation.
Pay Range (United States)
$120,000—$161,000 USD
Pay Range (Canada)
$115,000—$170,000 CAD
Not sure if you are qualified? We hope that you will still choose to apply so we may review your application!
Please be advised that our company is aware of scammers impersonating us, and we assure you that all legitimate communication will come from the official Crystal Dynamics email address domain "@crystald.com" or will be an automated response from our applicant tracking system using "[email protected]". If you have any concerns about the validity of a message from our staff, feel free to contact us.
For more information on how to avoid scams like this please see our Jobs Scams & Phishing Attempts help page, or visit the FTC website.
Crystal Dynamics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to identifying and implementing positive and persistent measures to ensure equal opportunity in the recruitment, hiring, development, training, promotion and compensation of a diverse team employee group. This includes persons of different race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or gender expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding, genetic characteristic, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, medical condition, political affiliation, age, veteran status, uniform service member status, marital status, physical or mental disability, or citizenship, as well as any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
By submitting an application, you acknowledge that you have read and understand Crystal Dynamics's Privacy Notice.
Top Skills
What We Do
Crystal Dynamics is an award-winning, top of class game development studio located just south of San Francisco in sunny San Mateo, CA. Founded in 1992, Crystal Dynamics has grown into a world class studio by developing iconic franchises and keeping at the forefront of the very latest in technology and graphics. Crystal Dynamics is owned by the Embracer Group.
Having created beloved properties such as Gex and the Legacy of Kain series, as well as driving the massively successful Tomb Raider franchise, Crystal Dynamics is now laying the groundwork for the next generation of innovative and technologically stunning projects.
Team work makes the dream work, and at Crystal Dynamics diverse perspectives, equal voices, and inclusive philosophies create the best teams who make the best games. Diversity leads to productivity, tolerance, and a welcoming spirit as part of the Crystal Dynamics family. Inclusivity breaks down barriers of all kinds to ensure all people can take joy in their work, have pride for being heard, and take comfort in being respected. We prize all perspectives so that we can be our best selves and the best game developers at a company beloved for our games as well as our culture of creativity. To all who wish to enter this place and continue evolving Crystal Dynamics to be its best self, we say welcome.
For more details on Crystal Dynamics, visit our company page, www.crystald.com, our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crystal-Dynamics/8277214270 , or our Twitter, @crystaldynamics.
