Level Designer

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
Hiring Remotely in United States
Remote or Hybrid
Entry level
Gaming • Information Technology • Mobile • Software • Esports
2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment for video game consoles, personal computers, and mobile devices.
The Role
Design, prototype, iterate, polish, and ship single-player and cooperative shooter levels using Unreal Engine. Collaborate with artists, mission designers, writers, programmers, narrative designers, and enemy designers to create engaging combat and mission experiences. Own level vision from paper design through final product, incorporate feedback, meet deadlines, maintain quality standards, and mentor junior level designers.
Summary Generated by Built In

 

Who We Are

The Gearbox Entertainment Company is home to a world-class team that entertains the world with award-winning and genre-defining video games. Our games are entrenched with rich universes that are expanded upon via transmedia storytelling, live experiences, and consumer products. Gearbox Entertainment has become widely known for developing successful game franchises such as Borderlands, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, and Brothers in Arms, as well for continued development of acquired properties including Duke Nukem, Risk of Rain, and Homeworld.

The company was founded as Gearbox Software in 1999 by a team of industry veterans and is headquartered in Frisco, Texas. The Gearbox Entertainment Company is proud to be part of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

For more information, visit www.GearboxSoftware.com.

What We Are Looking For

Gearbox Software is looking for a passionate level designer to join us in crafting upcoming first and third person shooters. This role involves working with the Lead Level Designer and Creative Director to pitch, build, polish, and ship levels using Unreal Engine. Level Designers are responsible for owning the vision of their levels, and working with a variety of other departments to see that vision come to fruition. It involves close collaborative work with artists, mission designers, writers, coders, and a variety of other disciplines to ensure the level ships on time at a high standard of quality, while also being fun and memorable to players.

Responsibilities

  • Develop single player and cooperative levels based on existing game design documents, direction from project leadership, and collaboration with peers. This involves taking a design all the way from a paper design to a shipping product, iterating over time based on feedback, creative goals, and project deadlines.
  • Prototype, iterate, and polish moment-to-moment gameplay while working with narrative designers, enemy designers, artists, and other disciplines to ensure quality combats and mission experiences for the final customers.
  • Mentorship and sharing of expertise with junior level designers and other design staff. Ability to model a positive tone and work ethic to junior members of the team. Ability to provide and receive good feedback when iterating levels.
Qualifications

  • Proven track record of building and shipping large level environments. Should include videos or screenshots of shipped levels, and any additional documentation showing design and iteration process.
  • Understanding of modern level design practices, including layout, pacing, technical implementation, and above all else creating fun experiences for players.
  • Strong eye towards aesthetics, with an ability to work hand-in-hand with art teams. Previous experience in an art role is a plus.
  • Excellent documentation, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Ability to maintain focus and self-motivation towards the current project goals.
  • Have shipped a AAA title, with a preference towards Unreal technology and first person shooters.
Nice-to-Haves

  • Shipped games using Unreal 4 or 5 technology.
  • Experience with the certification and shipping process on modern consoles.
  • Experience working with large inter-disciplinary teams.
  • Co-op and/or Online Multiplayer experience.
  • Previous leadership experience.
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Gearbox Entertainment is committed to ensuring that all team members work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment, and one that reflects the diversity of the world it strives to entertain. As an equal opportunity employer, Gearbox Entertainment does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Gearbox Entertainment is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, and to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by individuals without disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point during the job application process, please contact us for more information.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.

Please note that Gearbox is unable to provide visa sponsorship or assistance for this position. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in United States without requiring current or future employer sponsorship.

#LI-Remote

Skills Required

  • Proven track record of building and shipping large level environments, supported by videos, screenshots, or design documentation
  • Understanding of modern level design practices, including layout, pacing, technical implementation, and player experience
  • Strong aesthetic judgment and ability to collaborate with art teams
  • Excellent documentation, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
  • Ability to maintain focus and self-motivation toward project goals
  • Experience shipping a AAA title
  • Experience shipping games using Unreal Engine 4 or 5
  • Experience with certification and shipping processes on modern consoles
  • Experience working with large interdisciplinary teams
  • Co-op or online multiplayer experience
  • Previous leadership experience

What the Team is Saying

2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength Job postings consistently list medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, and mental‑health/wellbeing programs, indicating comprehensive coverage. Feedback suggests these offerings are a reliable cornerstone across roles even as other rewards vary by location.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Listings cite 14 paid holidays, 15–25 days of vacation or a discretionary time‑off program, up to 10 paid sick days, and paid parental and compassionate leave. Feedback suggests the breadth of time off compares favorably within games/tech.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility Employees can participate in a parent‑company Employee Stock Purchase Plan typically at a 15% discount, with some roles also eligible for equity. Feedback suggests the ESPP adds meaningful value to the total‑rewards package.

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

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