Associate Game Designer (Technical)

Location: Must be based in or able to work onsite in Santa Monica, CA, USA. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Salary: $37–$50 per hour.

Company

A world-renowned game development studio known for crafting critically acclaimed, character-driven titles that push the boundaries of narrative and technology.

What you will do

• Prototype, implement, and own gameplay scenarios, narrative sequences, and interactive objects.
• Collaborate with the design team to conceptualize, tune, and balance gameplay mechanics.
• Communicate with animation, programming, and art departments to produce required assets and code support.
• Iterate rapidly on enemy behaviors and player mechanics.

Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Significant programming ability (Computer Science degree preferred).
• Knowledge of 3D math.
• Experience with C++, C#, Lua, or other scripting languages.
• Broad understanding of the gaming landscape.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Nice to have

• Experience developing third-person action games.
• Experience with 3D level editors.
• Understanding of narrative principles and conveying emotion through gameplay.
• Experience with behavior trees, melee, combat systems, or character animation.

Culture & Benefits

• Eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefit offerings.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile, critically acclaimed titles.
• Collaborative environment with top creative and technical minds in the industry.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusive studio culture.

Hiring process

• Technical interview required as part of the application process.
• Background checks conducted at the offer stage.