Lead Game Designer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Germany.

📋 Description

• Lead the creative direction and execution of design for our projects.

• Oversee a team of designers, establish workflows, and ensure alignment with project objectives, directly contributing to the success of our games.

• Collaborate closely with the Design Director and the Project Owner (or Creative Producer) to establish and maintain the creative vision of the game.

• Take charge of the design pipeline, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery of design assets.

• Guide, mentor, and motivate a team of game and level designers to produce their best work.

• Define and document essential game systems, mechanics, and features, ensuring alignment with gameplay objectives.

• Supervise and refine game systems through player feedback, playtesting, and internal assessments.

• Work collaboratively with cross-disciplinary teams, including artists, writers, and engineers, to bring the game to fruition.

• Review and offer constructive feedback on design documents, prototypes, and in-game implementations.

• Conduct competitor analysis and stay informed on industry trends to ensure innovation and relevance.

⛳️ Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in Game Design, including a minimum of 3 years in a leadership position.

• Proven experience working on at least 2 released titles, ideally including AA or AAA console or PC games.

• Expertise in gameplay, systems, and mechanics design, with experience leading teams on projects with intricate requirements.

• Practical experience with Unreal Engine and proficiency with tools such as Photoshop or other 2D/3D design software.

• A strong passion for gaming and an analytical approach to learn from and enhance industry best practices.

• Solid understanding of UX/UI principles and their impact on player experience.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English.

• Maintains composure and productivity amidst shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and creative challenges.

• Capable of translating ambiguity into clear next steps for the team rather than transferring pressure downwards.

• Consistently delivers design output throughout lengthy production cycles, balancing iteration and refinement with the discipline to meet deadlines and stay within scope.

• Guides designers through challenging phases (such as crunch risks, scope adjustments, direction changes, and playtest feedback) while safeguarding team morale, focus, and creative confidence.

• Provides and receives feedback with directness and care.

• Upholds quality standards without damaging relationships across different departments such as design, art, programming, and production.

• Communicates progress proactively, identifies issues early with proposed solutions, and escalates when necessary.

• Builds credibility with peers and leadership by making reasoning transparent, explaining design decisions in terms of player value, project objectives, and trade-offs that others can engage with.

• Maintains perspective during conflict or criticism, distinguishing the work from the individual, and keeping discussions focused on what benefits the game.

• Exhibits a motivational leadership style, promoting a culture of creativity, collaboration, and ongoing improvement.

🏝️ Benefits

• A welcoming and creative workplace

• A 38-hour workweek, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.

• Flexible remote work options tailored to individual needs.

• Perks like free drinks and a weekly organic fruit basket.

• Monthly credit card top-up of €50 and a lunch subsidy (available for employees based in Germany, after the probation period).

• Coverage for public transport tickets (only for employees working in Munich).