Why PlayStation?
PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.
PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.
The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.
***This position has the flexibility to be fully remote***
Principal Progression Designer
Sony Bend Studio, renowned creator of Days Gone, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and Syphon Filter, is seeking outstanding talent to join our passionate and creative team in crafting our next high-profile AAA title.
We are looking for a Principal Progression Designer who can create and implement the core economies and progression ecosystems that drive player engagement, satisfaction, and retention. This is a critical role for our studio and provides the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the game.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with project leaders to develop strategies for engaging and retaining players from target segments over many hours of gameplay.
- Implement these strategies by designing and developing fun, meaningful progression ecosystems. Work with cross-functional teams to build the tools and processes needed to execute these designs.
- Create and maintain documentation of progression systems and related features including conceptual design briefs, extensive spreadsheet modeling, and data visualization.
- Help communicate strategic priorities and design solutions throughout the organization. Define and encourage best practices.
- Guide developers in the design and creation of new content, assets, features, and other rewards.
- Work with User-Experience Research (UXR) to build robust player models, test hypotheses, and forecast outcomes. Deliver an intuitive and elegant player experience that meets the complex needs of a demanding player base.
- Help define key performance indicators (KPIs) and support telemetry implementation, testing, and improvements.
- Analyze KPI data and develop actionable insights to inform iteration of progression systems and increase player retention. Help lead and implement changes.
- Mentor designers and collaborate with studio leadership to recruit and develop talent.
Requirements:
- 10+ years of senior experience in video game progression design or related fields with a track record of commercially successful games.
- In-depth knowledge of current trends, innovations, and competitive approaches in game progression design.
- A player-centered approach to design. Empathy for gamers and a deep understanding of player motivation, needs, and psychology.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills. Able to clearly explain complex game principles, strategies, and solutions to a diverse audience of stakeholders.
- Expert proficiency in data management, analysis, and visualization.
- Growth mindset. Driven by curiosity and a genuine commitment to learning.
- Highly collaborative. An advocate for inclusive, accessible design and fostering diverse talent within the team.
- Ability to break down, prioritize, and manage tasks across sprints, milestones, and development phases.
- Willingness to support the team with hands-on contributions when necessary.
Bonus Qualifications:
- Advanced degree or equivalent in economics, data science, cognitive psychology, or related disciplines.
- Experience working in proprietary game engines and/or agile development.
- Proficiency in visual scripting and/or code.
We are building a design culture that values trust, inclusivity, collaboration, innovation, growth mindset, and sustainability. If you have the skills we are looking for and are passionate about creating incredible experiences for both our players and the people on your team, we'd love to hear from you.
Please submit your resume and portfolio.
Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.
At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.
The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$155,000—$232,400 USD
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
What We Do
PlayStation has been at the forefront of interactive and digital entertainment since the debut of our first console in 1994. Our products delight millions across the world through incredible games, cutting edge experiences and access to many types of media.
This commitment to amazing our fans is at the core of who we are and one we share with Sony Corporation, internationally known as a leader in music, movies and consumer electronics.
We can only achieve this goal by welcoming talented people and empowering them to do their best work. From game developers to data scientists, software engineers to cybersecurity experts, marketing to accounting and finance professionals, we’re always looking for talented people who share a passion for creating and our commitment to delivering amazement.
