Principal Systems Designer – Factory Game, Unreal Engine

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

📋 Description

• Design the fundamental systems of the game, encompassing production chains, resources, logistics, progression, and economy.

• Decompose high-level mechanics into actionable steps.

• Prototype and refine systems utilizing spreadsheets, simulations, and Blueprints.

• Create and maintain design documentation that aligns with the developed game.

• Engage in daily collaboration with programmers, artists, and production teams.

• Organize design priorities, open inquiries, decisions, and rationales.

• Serve as a sparring partner to the Game Director by critically evaluating ideas and suggesting alternatives.

• Eventually lead a small design team, which includes a Level Designer and a Content Designer.

• Contribute to the development of the studio's design processes.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 8 years of professional experience in game design, with a strong emphasis on systems design.

• At least one released title where you were responsible for major systems, preferably a systemic game.

• Experience as a player in factory and automation games.

• Strong systems-thinking skills, including understanding feedback loops, dependencies, scaling, emergent behavior, and edge cases.

• Practical experience in prototyping and testing.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Availability during working hours compatible with the CET timezone.

• Programming experience or solid scripting abilities in Blueprints, C++, C#, Python, Lua, or similar languages (desirable).

• Familiarity with Unreal Engine (desirable).

• Experience in leading or mentoring other designers (desirable).

• Background in small or remote indie teams (desirable).

• Personal projects related to factory games (mods, tools, prototypes, calculators, or blueprints) (bonus).

🏝️ Benefits

• Paid overtime.

• Book and training budget of 100€/month, with the possibility of additional funds if necessary.

• Focus days dedicated to learning new skills or conducting research.

• Annual on-site team events.

• Automatic baseline salary increase of 2% each year.

• Hardware and home office budget of 2.000€ upon joining, followed by 1.000€ annually.

• Job Ticket available for residents in Germany.

• Highly flexible working hours.

• Opportunity for fully remote work.