Senior Technical Designer

Job Description

Possessor(s)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2132890/Possessors/

Possessor(s) is an action side-scroller inspired by platform fighters, replete with break-neck traversal and white-knuckle combat. Clash with dangerous characters and forge your own path through the winding streets of a destroyed megacity as you piece together broken memories in the aftermath of an interdimensional catastrophe.

We’re looking for a senior technical designer with experience working on tight action games to help us complete Possessor(s).

As a senior technical designer on Possessor(s), you will work independently and with other departments to transform design documents, prototypes, and existing features into shippable action gameplay. The core of this role is bosses: you will be responsible for owning a wide range of bosses from concept through polish. The ideal candidate has an excellent understanding of deep combat systems, can independently implement fun gameplay, and is able to clearly communicate design values to other departments.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Guide “action gameplay” (bosses primarily; various player character systems, enemies, level elements secondarily) from concept through polish
• Maintain clear design documentation for bosses and other gameplay elements
• Implement new boss behaviors from raw assets
• Build and maintain stable Behavior Trees with recognizable patterns and intentionally designed player strategies
• Balance damage numbers and hitboxes across a wide range of bosses
• Work with animators and VFX artists to ensure excellent visual communication
• Provide ongoing improvements to game content based on playtests
• Collaborate across all departments to refine implementation pipelines for gameplay elements

Qualifications

• 6+ years experience in game development
• At least one shipped title in Unreal Engine
• Excellent understanding of Behavior Trees
• Excellent understanding of action game difficulty
• Ability to work efficiently across a large span of content
• Ability to work directly and constructively with members of all departments
• Strong communication and organization skills
• Capable of giving and receiving constructive feedback
• Capable of working independently, keeping on-task and motivated
• Excited and able to work with an agile and flexible team

Bonus

• A shipped title working directly on bosses
• Proficient in C++

Additional Information

Salary

In the United States, the standard base pay range for this role we have estimated is $92,000.00 - $137,000.00 Annual. This base pay range is for the U.S. and is not applicable to locations outside of the U.S. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance and location. In addition to base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.

Benefits

• Competitive pay through bonus structures
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k
• Flex PTO policy and 10 Federal holidays annually
• Paid parental leave

Location

Flexibility to work remotely or from the studio or Hybrid

Full-Time with Flexible Hours

Most staff maintain hours around 9a-6p PST. So long as you get the work done and are there for the meetings you are needed in, we trust you to manage your own time however makes sense to you.

Company Description

Heart Machine is a diverse team of passionate game developers working to create uniquely engaging worlds that are greater than the sum of their parts. We’re based in Los Angeles, but we have team members all across the globe.

We believe different perspectives contribute not only to more meaningful games but to a healthier and more sustainable team as well. As the studio grows, we are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment where all voices are valued.

We’re ambitious and work hard, but health is an essential value at Heart Machine. We aren’t a crunch factory: we’re committed to building a culture of healthy work-life balance.

We’re looking for talented individuals who share these values to collaborate with us on amazing, unique games.