Senior Game Designer

Posted 18 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Cary, NC, USA
In-Office
145K-193K Annually
Senior level
Gaming • Metaverse
The Role
Designs and implements music-based gameplay systems and social experiences, including mechanics, progression, player expression, and creator tools. Collaborates with audio, engineering, art, UX, and product teams to establish vision, prototype features, tune gameplay, and incorporate analytics and playtest feedback. The role requires shipping multiple game titles and contributing to multiplayer, rhythm, music, and interactive entertainment experiences using Unreal Engine.
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

Epic Games is seeking an experienced Senior Game Designer to join our Music team, contributing across various aspects of highly social and music-based gameplay and interactive experiences. In this role, you will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to shape and refine music systems, tune gameplay mechanics, craft engaging activities and social experiences, and ensure compelling and expressive player experiences.

In this role, you will
  • Own the design and hands-on implementation of music-based gameplay features and systems, including using Jam Tracks, music interaction mechanics, and social music experiences, while fostering innovation
  • Effectively communicate project vision to team members across all disciplines, collaborating closely with audio, engineering, art, UX, and product teams to ensure compelling player experiences and overall ecosystem health
  • Set and maintain high-quality standards for music gameplay and social interaction design, actively participating in big-picture decisions to drive superior results
  • Create clear, structured design documents and drive collaborative, iterative prototyping processes to rapidly explore and refine music systems, player interactions, and emergent gameplay opportunities
  • Design and tune systems that support music gameplay, progression, discovery, and player expression, leveraging data and playtest feedback to react quickly to changing project needs and drive effective solutions
  • Partner closely with audio and engineering teams to develop intuitive tools and mechanics that empower players to create, remix, and engage with music-driven experiences
What we're looking for
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience shipping multiple titles as a game designer, with expertise in systems design and multiplayer gameplay, ideally including music gameplay, rhythm mechanics, social experiences, and player expression features
  • Hands-on experience designing, prototyping, and implementing gameplay features in Unreal Engine
  • Passion for games and music experiences, with a broad understanding of player motivations and how music, creativity, and social interaction combine to create compelling gameplay
  • Ability to react quickly to changing project needs and directions, along with strong problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented mindset
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working closely with audio, engineering, UX, art, and product teams to bring music-driven experiences from concept to release
  • Interest in emerging Al tools and workflows, with curiosity around how they can be thoughtfully applied to prototyping, iteration, and the game development process
  • Experience with multiplayer cooperative games, systems design, analytics tools/languages/processes, and visual scripting is a plus
  • Experience designing rhythm games, music gameplay systems, creator tools, or social sandbox experiences, along with familiarity with music production workflows or musical training
  • Experience with UEFN is a plus

This role is open to multiple locations across the US (including CA, NYC, & WA).

Pay Transparency Information

The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position are detailed below. Each base pay range is relevant only for individuals who are residents of or will be expected to work within the specified locale. Compensation varies based on a variety of factors, which include (but aren’t limited to) things such as skills and competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. In addition to base pay, most employees are eligible to participate in Epic’s generous benefit plans and discretionary incentive programs (subject to the terms of those plans or programs).

New York City Base Pay Range
$144,535—$192,713 USD
California Base Pay Range
$158,988—$211,984 USD
Washington Base Pay Range
$169,829—$226,438 USD
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 experience as a game designer
  • Experience shipping multiple game titles
  • Expertise in systems design and multiplayer gameplay
  • Experience designing, prototyping, and implementing gameplay features in Unreal Engine
  • Passion for games and music experiences
  • Broad understanding of player motivations and the combination of music, creativity, and social interaction in gameplay
  • Ability to adapt to changing project needs and directions
  • Strong problem-solving and solution-oriented skills
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Experience collaborating with audio, engineering, UX, art, and product teams
  • Interest in emerging AI tools and workflows
  • Experience with multiplayer cooperative games
  • Experience with systems design analytics tools, languages, or processes
  • Experience with visual scripting
  • Experience designing rhythm games or music gameplay systems
  • Experience designing creator tools or social sandbox experiences
  • Familiarity with music production workflows or musical training
  • Experience with UEFN

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

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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.

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