Senior Design Director

TLDR

Lead gameplay design to deliver innovative gameplay experiences while fostering a culture of collaboration and player feedback at Believer.

There are many things that make Believers who we are, but our defining characteristic is an unwavering dedication to the player experience. We believe that player-first development is critical for games, esports, and all forms of media that allow us to engage with our favorite worlds and heroes. We are not just a game company; we are a company for Gamers. We believe that collaboration and diverse thought drive innovation, and we foster a development culture around that principle.

Game Designers at Believer craft the systems, mechanics, and content that create fun for our players. We put ourselves in the player’s shoes to understand their needs and design holistically across gameplay and systems. We work closely with other disciplines to turn creative pillars into engaging, playable experiences.

As a Senior Design Director, you will lead gameplay design in close partnership with the Game Director and studio leadership to deliver best-in-class gameplay experiences. This is a hands-on leadership role, where you will actively prototype, implement, and tune gameplay in-engine while building and mentoring a cohesive, high-performing design team. You will ensure that gameplay is interactive, intuitive, and deeply engaging, and that decisions are validated through disciplined playtesting and iteration. You will report to the Game Director.

What you'll do:

  • Own and shape the core gameplay experience, implementing and tuning mechanics in-engine across combat, levels, encounters, characters, and progression

  • Partner with studio leadership to translate creative pillars into clear, playable gameplay direction and design principles

  • Lead and develop game designers from associate to principal level

  • Design and own complex gameplay systems and content across early prototypes

  • Drive rapid prototyping and playtest-driven iteration, turning player feedback into clear design decisions

  • Work with artists, animators, writers, sound designers, producers, and engineers to bring our gameplay to life

  • Champion a playtest-driven culture where gameplay decisions are validated through real player experience

You are a great fit if:

  • 12+ years in game development, including shipping and/or maintaining at least two significant titles (AAA and/or live service experience preferred)

  • 7+ years of experience leading and developing game designers, with demonstrated ownership of team performance and craft standards

  • Deep expertise in moment-to-moment gameplay design, including combat, encounters, and systems-driven experiences

  • Demonstrated hands-on experience prototyping and implementing gameplay in-engine

  • Experience in early-stage development and rapid prototyping

  • Experience scripting, modding, or other technical skills highly desired

Please note - research shows that certain groups of candidates may not apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement. If you see yourself at Believer but don't check every requirement, we would still love to be in touch with you for current and future opportunities.

What we offer:

  • Annual salary range: $193,000 - $330,000

Making great games is hard, so we do our best to make the other parts less hard.

  • Great compensation package and equity

  • Medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Believer pays 100% of monthly costs for these plans

  • 10 observed holidays + 10 days for Winter Break and "Take What You Need" PTO policy

  • Remote-friendly team #LI-Remote

  • We are committed to continuing to expand our benefits and perks to support all Believers

Belonging at Believer

Gamers are the most diverse community in the world. Loving games crosses every boundary that divides us: social, political, demographic, geographic. Serving that beautiful and pluralistic community requires us to pursue diversity aggressively: Not for its own sake, but for players’ sake; not to look good, but to do good. So Believer is committed to creating a diverse environment where Believers of all backgrounds can do their best work and grow professionally. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

About The Believer Company

Believer is a global games company with developers all over the world, headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

We've built our lives around creating and serving games we're proud of — from Words With Friends to League of Legends, from Destiny to Apex Legends. We hope you've enjoyed them, and if our wishes have come true, you're still playing them today.

We still think this is just the beginning.

We are Believers, bonded together by a deep love for players, and a commitment to put them at the center of the games we create, the worlds we build, the stories we tell, and the business we run to keep the fun going for as long as players keep believing.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Believer pays 100% of monthly costs for these plans

Paid Time Off

10 observed holidays + 10 days for Winter Break and "Take What You Need" PTO policy

Remote-Friendly

Remote-friendly team #LI-Remote

Believer is a global games company that brings together talented developers from around the world to create engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Our focus is on fostering collaboration and creativity in the gaming industry, appealing to players seeking unique and immersive gameplay.

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Salary
$193,000 – $330,000 per year
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