Cliffhanger Games is a newly formed Seattle Studio focusing on blockbuster action-adventure games and pioneering next-generation emergent storytelling beginning with Marvel's Black Panther. Join us to pursue your passion to build unique groundbreaking, and inclusive games that empower players to create incredible stories of heroic adventure.
Become a foundational part of an, respectful, and diverse team as we are looking for a Technical Designer AI and Behavior to join our team. Reporting to the Design Manager, the Sr. Technical Designer Sandbox will be instrumental in designing and populating encounters, systems, and gameplay within a dynamic and evolving open world. Drawing upon a deep understanding of technical design principles and a passion for creating immersive sandbox experiences, this role demands close collaboration with design teams, AI engineering, and technical art departments to bring our game world to life.
Responsibilities
Design, prototype, and implement AI systems, encounters, and gameplay mechanics that contribute to a rich, sandbox environment.
Work closely with the AI engineering team to create sophisticated AI behaviors that enhance the open-world experience, from urban crowds to wildlife ecosystems.
Collaborate with game designers to ensure that sandbox elements support and enrich the narrative and gameplay objectives.
Partner with technical artists to integrate visual and environmental elements seamlessly into sandbox designs, ensuring a cohesive and immersive world.
Support the development of systems and templates for dynamic events and interactions that respond to player actions and contribute to a living, breathing game world.
Collaborate with mission and encounter designers to implement specific gameplay features where encounters and sandbox systems overlap, ensuring a cohesive gameplay experience.
Partner with the design team to integrate sandbox dynamics into the mission design, facilitating seamless transitions between structured missions and open-world exploration.
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to other designers, sharing expertise in sandbox design and Unreal Engine tools.
Maintain documentation and best practices for sandbox design processes and systems, facilitating knowledge sharing and efficiency across the team.
Required Qualifications
5+ Years experience in technical and sandbox design for open-world games, with a proven track record of creating engaging and dynamic environments.
Expertise in Unreal Engine, with strong skills in Blueprint scripting and a solid understanding of environmental and AI system integration.
Collaborative skills across disciplines to merge gameplay, narrative, and technical art into cohesive sandbox experiences.
Conceptualize and implement innovative sandbox features that push the boundaries of open-world gameplay.
Passion for games and an understanding of what makes sandbox gameplay engaging and memorable for players.
We encourage you to apply, even if you don't match every qualification listed above. Let us know why you are the right person for this role, why you will be great, what unique perspectives you will bring, and which requirements will challenge you to grow.
Ceci ne s’applique pas au Québec.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The base salary ranges listed below are for the defined geographic market pay zones in these locations. If you reside outside of these locations, a recruiter will advise on the range and benefits for your specific location. EA has listed the base salary ranges it in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in the locations listed, as of the time of this posting. Pay offered will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, for example, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs.
BASE SALARY RANGES
California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. Sacramento): º $138,200 - $219,000 USD Annually
New York (depending on location e.g. Manhattan vs. Buffalo): º $136,600 - $219,000 USD Annually
Jersey City, NJ : º $171,100 - $219,000 USD Annually
Colorado (depending on location e.g. Denver vs. Colorado Springs): º $153,100 - $206,200 USD Annually
Washington (depending on location e.g. Seattle vs. Spokane): º $136,600 - $202,300 USD Annually
British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria): º $126,000 - $176,300 CAN Annually
Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity. For British Columbia, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
About Electronic Arts
Everything we do is designed to inspire the world to play. Through our cutting-edge games, innovative services, and powerful technologies, we bring worlds with infinite possibilities to millions of players and fans around the globe.
We’re looking for collaborative and inclusive people with diverse perspectives who will enrich our culture and challenge us. We take a holistic approach with our benefits program, focusing on physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support our people through every chapter of life. We provide comprehensive benefit packages and support for a balanced life with paid time off and new parent leave, plus free games and so much more. Our goal is to provide a safe and respectful workplace that empowers you to thrive in both work and life.
Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.