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Principal Technical Designer (Narrative Adventure)

A visionary game development studio founded in 2012, Firesprite builds innovative showcase titles for PlayStation platforms as part of the PlayStation Studios family.

Would you enjoy the freedom to create AAA games working from anywhere in the UK, including our Liverpool studio?

We're looking for a Principal Game Designer on dark, narrative driven blockbuster title with genre defining goals. This highly ambitious project takes atmosphere, narrative and player agency firmly into ground-breaking territory on next-generation Unreal 5 & hardware technologies.

Working in collaboration with level designers, game designers and coders, you will be responsible for ensuring game/level features are architected and implemented in the best possible ways to manage technical constraints with maximum flexibility for art and design to autonomously set up and balance.

This role includes hands-on implementing of complex technical design elements into the game as well as ensuring processes and pipelines are communicated to and fully understood by the whole team. You will be a vital link between design and tech, ensuring that the design of the game is realised as close as possible to the game vision whilst respecting technical limitations so it functions robustly.

As Principal, you are expected to deliver a high-level of expertise in your field and serve as both mentor and example to more junior members of the team. You will be expected to proactively identify opportunities to provide Tech Design support and work independently to deliver in those areas.

This is a great opportunity for an ambitious individual looking for their next challenge giving you a chance to shape and create the tools and pipelines the LD team uses and see the game through launch.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement level and/or gameplay content in Unreal 5.
• Collaborate with game design, prototype new features, gameplay mechanics, and levels.
• Alongside code, develop and enforce best practices including naming and blueprint conventions, scripting best-practices, metrics, technical budgets, and process pipelines.

• Document and train dev team members on best practises, pipeline, workflows, features, tools and technical standards.
• Ensure technical robustness throughout all content and mechanics - investigate the game as a whole and find opportunities to enhance it.
• Own features and work with cross-discipline teams to deliver AAA quality player experiences with sensibly managed technical risks.
• Accurately plan your work.
• Provide constructive, critical feedback and guidance for designers so they can properly scope their work and achieve the highest quality within the time and technical constraints.

• Be a source of in-depth and current knowledge of the engine and its capabilities.
• Participate in debugging and optimization alongside code and other tech disciplines.

Requirements

• Ability to deliver high-quality work that fits the direction and vision of the Game and Technical Directors.
• Expert knowledge of Unreal 5, including Blueprint, Sequencer, and Animation Blueprints.
• Exceptional blueprint and technical design skills.
• Friendly and approachable personality with energetic and positive attitude.
• Committed to delivering the very best player experience.

• Pro-active communication.
• Working knowledge of Agile development.
• A portfolio that demonstrates technical skills.
• Previous professional game development experience in code, design or tech design.

Additional or Desired Skills:

Good knowledge of industry standard packages (MS Office, Jira, Perforce etc)

• Knowledge of scripting/programming – familiarity with C++.
• Knowledge of Maya.
• Experience in narrative-driven games.

• Experience with character animation and rigging pipelines.

Benefits

• Private Healthcare Plan
• Bonus Scheme
• Enhanced Holiday Allowance
• Pension Plans
• Work From Home
• Training & Development
• Employee Assistance Programme - Counselling

Firesprite is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable applicants regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.