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Principal Systems Designer
2 years ago
As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to “level up” our talent. We’re searching for innovators who consider themselves dynamic, collaborative, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
PERKS & BENEFITS
Unlimited Vacation, Paid Sick Days & Holidays
100% Employee Covered Medical, Dental, Vision Plan Base Plan
Life Insurance, 401k, Flexible Spending Accounts, Commuter Benefits & More
Catered Lunches & Well-stocked Kitchens
Yoga & Wellness Activities
Happy Hours
Company Events
Dog Friendly
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are always looking for the “best and brightest” talent to join our team. At Jam City you will have the freedom to work and play with a team of entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid to take risks and get things done!
At the moment, we are seeking a Principal Systems Designer to work on our next generation of cross-platform games. We're looking for a subject matter expert in systems design, who has the unique combination of logic, creativity, and leadership needed to design systems that are approachable and delightful, as well as the ability to teach and mentor other designers to do the same. This is a crucial role reporting directly to our VP, Game Design while collaborating closely with teams of designers and developers around the world.
Your background using quantitative and qualitative insights to design robust economies, compelling content, and engaging features for games will make you a valued and trusted resource, as you support a variety of games teams and strategic initiatives. You will use your influence to advocate for compelling game systems and innovative features, as you help define the future of Jam City. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with some of the top creative and analytical talent in the industry to develop and launch new games for multiple multi-billion dollar entertainment IPs.
*Open to Full-Time Remote
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Help drive game and systems design for next-generation casual mobile games, across Jam City’s portfolio.
- Help teams synthesize their ideas for themes, game mechanics, monetization, and social features into a successful product.
- Design delightful systems to accomplish deeper engagement and monetization.
- Develop feature sets with an emphasis on accessibility, balance, and progression.
- Devise creative solutions to gameplay and balancing issues.
- Create design documents, including specs, economy spreadsheets, and wireframes.
- Deconstruct mechanics and systems in successful mobile titles.
- Recognize and stay abreast of game design trends, play patterns, and consumer preferences.
- Collaborate with the Design Leads, Product Managers, Game Directors, and Cross-Functional teams to review specs, improve design processes, and strengthen game design as a vital pillar of the company.
- Mentor the next generation of game design talent.
- Pitch your fun and innovative ideas to shape company strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 8+ years of systems design experience, preferably in the free-to-play mobile/social space.
- Excitement to bring engaging mechanics to a casual audience.
- Advanced Excel knowledge, with the ability to apply formulas to tune game economies.
- Ability to identify gameplay and balancing issues and propose solutions.
- Ability to pitch game features and concepts clearly and effectively.
- Comprehensive knowledge of game mechanics -- know what’s out there, what’s working, what isn’t, and how to improve.
- Deep monetization intuition and understanding.
- Adaptability to a rapidly shifting creative environment.
- Understanding of the freemium market and emergent trends in adjacent markets.
NICE TO HAVE
- Engineering or math background.
- Experience managing games post-launch -- where the game is continuously updated and improved.
- Experience designing A/B tests to help guide design direction.
- Familiarity with scripting languages or other technical skills related to game development.
#LI-Remote
CHECK OUT LIFE AS A JAM CITIZEN:
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
We believe in creating games that unite people across the world and that showcase our commitment to providing an environment that is both inclusive and diverse for our players and employees. We strive to create a workforce that is reflective of our global player community as we know that we are stronger and better when we play together. To help promote an inclusive culture, we celebrate the visible and invisible diversity of our Jam Citizens through initiatives including Employee Resource Groups, cultural events, trainings, speaker series, and more.
Jam City is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, religion, ethnicity, marital, or domestic partnerships status, disability, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws. Our management is committed to following this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruiting, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
ABOUT JAM CITY
Jam City is an award-winning mobile entertainment studio providing unique and deeply engaging games that appeal to a broad, global audience.
Led by CEO Chris DeWolfe, former MySpace co-founder and CEO, and COO Josh Yguado, former 20th Century Fox executive, Jam City is the creative powerhouse behind some of the highest-grossing and most enduring mobile games. Jam City’s global franchise Cookie Jam has generated more than half a billion dollars, and Panda Pop has more than 120 million downloads to date.
The company also is the go-to studio for Hollywood, having developed immersive, narrative-rich mobile games around iconic entertainment brands. The company’s popular RPG game Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery was the #1 game in more than 40 countries at its launch in April 2018.
Jam City has nine studios located in Los Angeles (HQ), Berlin, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Burbank, Cedar Falls, San Diego, San Francisco, and Toronto.
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