The Role
Design, build, and iterate open-world locations and points of interest using Unreal Engine 5 and Blueprint. Implement encounters, puzzles, traversal, and environmental storytelling; place and tune NPCs and gameplay objects; collaborate with cross-discipline and partner teams; participate in playtests and reviews; maintain documentation, source control, and level hygiene while identifying and resolving risks and dependencies.
Summary Generated by Built In
Pipeworks Studios is seeking a Level Designer I or II, commensurate with experience, to develop open-world content for a high-profile AAA action-adventure title set within a legendary franchise.
This role will design, build, and iterate on locations and points of interest that combine exploration, traversal, encounters, puzzles, and environmental storytelling. As part of a co-development team, the designer will collaborate closely with developers at Pipeworks and the project’s core development team while taking meaningful ownership of assigned spaces.
This is a full-time temporary role with the possibility of extension or conversion to regular full-time employment after six months. Our studio is based in Eugene, Oregon, and the role may be performed remotely, in a hybrid arrangement, or in the office.
Day To Day
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with level design leadership to define the goals, intended player experience, and quality bar for assigned content.
- Design, block out, implement, and iterate on open-world locations and points of interest in Unreal Engine 5.
- Create readable and engaging gameplay spaces that support exploration, traversal, encounters, puzzles, pacing, challenge, and environmental storytelling.
- Use Blueprint and project-specific tools to implement objectives, triggers, encounter logic, scripted behaviors, state changes, and other interactive content.
- Place, configure, and tune enemies, NPCs, gameplay objects, and environmental elements to support intended player behaviors and challenge.
- Collaborate with design, engineering, art, production, QA, and partner teams to communicate design intent, resolve dependencies, and incorporate feedback.
- Participate in playtests and design reviews, identify problems with flow or player experience, and iterate based on findings.
- Create and maintain clear documentation, layout callouts, encounter notes, task updates, and acceptance criteria.
- Maintain organized content, naming conventions, source control practices, and general level hygiene.
- Identify risks, blockers, and dependencies early, and adapt effectively as project priorities or creative direction change.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
Must Have Skills
- Professional experience designing and implementing gameplay spaces in Unreal Engine 5 or a comparable modern game engine.
- Practical experience using Blueprint or similar visual scripting tools to prototype and implement level-specific gameplay.
- Strong understanding of level design fundamentals, including spatial composition, navigation, gameplay flow, sightlines, traversal, pacing, readability, and player guidance.
- Experience creating encounters, puzzles, activities, or other interactive content within authored or open-world spaces.
- Ability to work with AI behaviors, gameplay objects, scripted events, triggers, and environmental content.
- Strong creative problem-solving skills and the ability to iterate within technical, production, and scope constraints.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across disciplines and with external development partners.
- Familiarity with source control and collaboration tools such as Perforce, Jira, and Confluence, or equivalent tools.
- Strong organization and attention to detail in a fast-paced, distributed development environment.
Nice-To-Have Skills
- Experience developing open-world action-adventure content or comparable systemic, exploration-driven gameplay spaces.
- Experience designing traversal challenges, environmental puzzles, or open-world activities.
- Experience working in a AAA full or co-development environment.
Education and Experience
- Level Designer I candidates should generally have two or more years of relevant professional experience. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to independently build and iterate on assigned level content while working with regular guidance from more experienced designers. Professional contribution to at least one shipped AA or AAA project is preferred.
- Level Designer II candidates should generally have five or more years of relevant professional experience and experience contributing to at least two shipped AA or AAA projects. Candidates should demonstrate substantial ownership of levels, locations, encounters, or other authored gameplay content, along with greater autonomy in planning, implementation, iteration, and problem-solving
- A portfolio demonstrating level layouts, playable spaces, blockouts, or shipped level-design work is preferred.
What We Can Offer You
A Flexible Working Environment
Almost all of our roles allow for your choice of work location. We're happy to support our team no matter where they prefer to work: remote, in office, or hybrid.
Benefits
Almost all of our roles allow for your choice of work location. We're happy to support our team no matter where they prefer to work: remote, in office, or hybrid.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- 401K with employer match
- Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy
- Generous Paid Time Off
- 18-20 Paid Company Holidays
- Relocation
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness Club Discounts
- Sports Team Sponsorship
- Annual Company Events
- Project Wrap Parties
A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Pipeworks Studios recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all of our employees feel included and empowered to bring ideas to the the table. We value each employee's unique experiences and perspectives and recognize that it is both the smart and right thing to foster diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization.
By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!
Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Diversity Report.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications above.
Pipeworks Studios recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all of our employees feel included and empowered to bring ideas to the the table. We value each employee's unique experiences and perspectives and recognize that it is both the smart and right thing to foster diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization.
By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!
Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Diversity Report.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications above.
About
While you may not know us, you certainly know our clients: Microsoft, Sony, Activision, Electronic Arts, and many more. Since 1999, Pipeworks has been helping define what’s next in real-world interactions by creating innovative, best-selling, cross-platform live games for top-tier publishers and properties.We believe that games have the ability to transform the world outside the realm of traditional consumer games and that our people are the catalyst for making this vision a reality. In the center of our universe lies our people, players, and a deep-rooted passion for games that has created several multi-million dollar best-sellers, compelling original concepts, and a disruptive imagination that continues to explore how games can transform industries outside our own. We are seeking exceptionally talented and entrepreneurial game creators as we lead into the future of digital entertainment.What products, ideas, dreams, and change will you help us create?
Skills Required
- Professional experience designing and implementing gameplay spaces in Unreal Engine 5 or comparable modern game engine
- Practical experience using Blueprint or similar visual scripting tools
- Strong understanding of level design fundamentals (spatial composition, navigation, flow, sightlines, traversal, pacing, readability, player guidance)
- Experience creating encounters, puzzles, activities, or other interactive content within authored or open-world spaces
- Ability to work with AI behaviors, gameplay objects, scripted events, triggers, and environmental content
- Clear written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate across disciplines and with external partners
- Familiarity with source control and collaboration tools such as Perforce, Jira, and Confluence (or equivalents)
- Strong organization, attention to detail, and ability to iterate within technical and production constraints
- Level Designer I: generally 2+ years of relevant professional experience and contribution to at least one shipped AA or AAA project (preferred)
- Level Designer II: generally 5+ years of relevant professional experience and contribution to at least two shipped AA or AAA projects (preferred)
- Portfolio demonstrating level layouts, playable spaces, blockouts, or shipped level-design work
- Experience developing open-world action-adventure content or comparable systemic, exploration-driven gameplay spaces
- Experience designing traversal challenges, environmental puzzles, or open-world activities
- Experience working in a AAA full or co-development environment
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The Company
What We Do
You may not know us, but you certainly know our clients: Microsoft, Sony, Activision, Square and many others. At Pipeworks, we create innovative, best-selling, transplatform live games for top-tier publishers and properties. We have been creating hits since 1999, and we are seeking exceptionally talented and entrepreneurial game creators as we lead into the future of digital entertainment. Our studio is creative and collaborative, our projects are exciting and challenging, and our people are rockstars without the ego. We are located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in downtown Eugene, Oregon – the home of the University of Oregon and a great place to work, live, and play.
