This job might no longer be available.

Lead Level Designer

At Wizards of the Coast, we connect people around the world through play and imagination. From our genre defining games like Magic: The Gathering® and Dungeons & Dragons® to our growing multiverse, we continue to innovate and build new ways to foster friendship and connection. That’s where you come in!

Skeleton Key is a new game development studio and division of Wizards of the Coast. We are a group of industry veterans who are guided by the belief that empowering our teams and providing the proper time, tools, and support we can foster a creative culture where everyone can do their best work.

Our new studio will be located in Austin, TX, and we are looking for a passionate and dedicated Lead Level Designer to join us and build and manage a diverse team of designers that will be tasked with helping concept, establish, and implement a cohesive and engaging world.

Reporting to the Design Director you will play a meaningful role as we concept and kick off pre-production. You'll guide the studio toward crafting curated levels that amplify a gripping and tense experience for our players. The ideal candidate is passionate about the craft of level design, you have experience creating memorable spaces that support and improve the core mechanics and creative vision of the game. You have high standards in everything you do and are dedicated to crafting the best experience for the player possible. You put the player first.

What You'll Do:

• Lead a team of Level Designers that own and implement immersive gameplay scenarios that complement and amplify the core gameplay and cinematic/narrative vision for the game.
• Work in close collaboration with Level Art, Narrative and other teams to build a cohesive user-focused experience.
• Help setup and script gameplay content in levels including events, encounters, and interactions.
• Build and maintain documentation for all owned environments
• Ensure all levels flow well and are well paced through proper mix of storytelling, exploration, and encounter design.
• Collaborate with Gameplay Designers to define and tweak game mechanics.
• Partner with other development teams to bring designs to life in-game.
• Mentor designers and help them grow in their careers.
• Regularly play the game, providing constructive feedback and suggestions to other members of the team.
• Remain up to date on industry trends and competitor games.

What You'll Bring:

• 7+ years of experience as a Senior, Lead, or Principal Level Designer / World Builder with at least 2 shipped AAA digital game titles.
• Experience managing a team of designers.
• Deep understanding of overall game design, storytelling, game mechanics, level flow, pacing etc.
• Experience working in Unreal, other modern game engine, or Maya.
• Experience scripting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Self-sufficient and self-motivated, able to push features forward but also know when to ask for mentorship or help.

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for satisfactory performance in this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or requirements of the position.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you are selected to move forward in our application process and need to request an accommodation, please let your recruiter or coordinator know.