Senior Game Designer

Posted 2 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Cary, NC, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Gaming • Metaverse
The Role
Own and lead major gameplay features for Fortnite from concept through launch. Design, prototype, and implement systems in Unreal Engine using Blueprint scripting, collaborate across disciplines, analyze playtest and player data, and guide iteration toward polished player experiences. The role requires strong multiplayer and live-service game design expertise, player empathy, sound design judgment, and the ability to mentor teammates while shaping broader gameplay direction.
Summary Generated by Built In
WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

DESIGNWhat We Do

Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.

What You'll Do

You will collaborate with cross-disciplinary development teams to design, prototype, implement, and ship key features that expand the Fortnite universe. As a Senior Game Designer, you’ll own complex areas of the game, exercise strong creative judgment, and help guide features from initial vision through polished player-facing experiences.

In this role, you will
  • Own Major Features: Drive the design and development of significant gameplay features and systems from concept through launch, establishing a clear vision, documentation, implementation plan, and path to a high-quality player experience.
  • Implement in Blueprint: Work hands-on in Unreal Engine to prototype and implement designs using Blueprint scripting, partnering closely with engineering, animation, VFX, audio, art, and other disciplines to bring features to life.
  • Shape the Big-Picture Vision: Contribute to broader product and gameplay decisions by identifying opportunities, evaluating trade-offs, and helping the team prioritize features that deliver meaningful value to players.
  • Drive Prototyping & Iteration: Lead rapid prototyping and iteration loops, using everything from early design pitches and paper concepts to playable in-engine prototypes to validate ideas and solve complex design problems.
  • Champion the Player Experience: Apply a deep understanding of player motivations and behaviors to create compelling goals, gameplay loops, and experiences that keep players engaged over time.
  • Leverage Playtests & Data: Regularly participate in playtests and design reviews, synthesizing feedback, player insights, and gameplay data into actionable imp
  • Partner Across Disciplines: Communicate design intent clearly and build alignment across teams, proactively identifying dependencies, risks, and opportunities throughout development. Raise the Design Bar: Provide thoughtful feedback and design guidance to other team members, helping strengthen features and maintain a high-quality bar across the player experience.
What we're looking for
  • Experience: 5+ years of professional game design experience, with a track record of designing and shipping high-quality gameplay features or systems.
  • Feature Ownership: Demonstrated experience independently owning complex features from early concept and prototyping through implementation, iteration, polish, and release.
  • Unreal Engine Expertise: Strong hands-on experience working in Unreal Engine, including Blueprint scripting and implementing gameplay directly in-engine.
  • Live-Ops Domain Knowledge: Experience designing content, features, or systems for Games-as-a-Service (GaaS), live-service games, or highly active online multiplayer ecosystems.
  • Multiplayer & Genre Expertise: Strong understanding of multiplayer game design and a passion for Battle Royale and other large-scale multiplayer experiences.
  • Player Empathy: A strong ability to understand player motivations, behaviors, and different forms of play, and to translate those insights into compelling gameplay experiences.
  • Design Judgment: Proven ability to evaluate ideas, navigate ambiguity, and make thoughtful decisions.
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.

ABOUT US

Epic Games​ ​is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

Skills Required

  • 5+ years of professional game design experience
  • Track record of designing and shipping high-quality gameplay features or systems
  • Experience independently owning complex features from concept and prototyping through implementation, iteration, polish, and release
  • Strong hands-on experience with Unreal Engine, including Blueprint scripting and in-engine gameplay implementation
  • Experience designing content, features, or systems for Games-as-a-Service, live-service games, or active online multiplayer ecosystems
  • Strong understanding of multiplayer game design
  • Passion for Battle Royale and other large-scale multiplayer experiences
  • Ability to understand player motivations and behaviors and translate insights into compelling gameplay experiences
  • Proven ability to evaluate ideas, navigate ambiguity, and make thoughtful design decisions

Epic Games Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Epic Games and has not been reviewed or approved by Epic Games.

  • Healthcare Strength Health coverage is described as comprehensive—often free—and includes medical, dental, vision, and access to therapy sessions. Feedback suggests these offerings are a standout element of the overall package.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility Stock options and sizable bonuses are highlighted as meaningful parts of total compensation, with some describing pay as unmatched. Feedback suggests equity and incentives materially enhance perceived compensation.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Generous time off, paid holidays, and sabbaticals are referenced alongside improvements in work-life balance. Feedback suggests paid leave breadth helps offset demanding periods.

Epic Games Insights

Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: Cary, NC
5,500 Employees
Year Founded: 1991

What We Do

Founded in 1991, Epic Games is an American company founded by CEO Tim Sweeney. The company is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, and has more than 50 offices worldwide. Today Epic is a leading interactive entertainment company and provider of 3D engine technology. Epic operates one of the world’s largest games, Fortnite, and Epic has over 600 million accounts with over 5 billion friend connections across Fortnite, Fall Guys, Rocket League, and the Epic Games Store. Epic also develops Unreal Engine, which powers the world’s leading games and is also adopted across industries such as film and television, architecture, automotive, manufacturing, and simulation. Through Unreal Engine, Epic Games Store, and Epic Online Services, Epic provides an end-to-end digital ecosystem for developers and creators to build, distribute, and operate games and other content.

Similar Jobs

Wells Fargo Logo Wells Fargo

Customer Service Associate

Fintech • Financial Services
Hybrid
Charlotte, NC, USA
205000 Employees

Wells Fargo Logo Wells Fargo

Relationship Banker Charlotte

Fintech • Financial Services
Hybrid
Wesley Chapel, NC, USA
205000 Employees
Hybrid
Charlotte, NC, USA
205000 Employees

Wells Fargo Logo Wells Fargo

Consultant

Fintech • Financial Services
Hybrid
Charlotte, NC, USA
205000 Employees

Similar Companies Hiring

DraftKings Thumbnail
Digital Media • Gaming • Information Technology • Software • Sports • Esports • Big Data Analytics
Boston, MA
6400 Employees
bet365 Thumbnail
Digital Media • Gaming • Software • Esports • Automation
Denver, Colorado
10000 Employees
ARB Interactive Thumbnail
Gaming • Mobile • Software
Miami, Florida
190 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account