Giant Squid is looking for a Senior Technical Designer to help us holistically create awesome gameplay experiences. In this role, you will block in levels and script their functionality to create fully playable spaces. This will involve creating bespoke interactions as well as implementing systems and effects in collaboration with gameplay programmers and artists. Experience and interest in a wide range of game development disciplines, from 3D modeling, particles, materials, scripting, and more, will be a great asset for this role. This position requires a big picture thinker with a great understanding of game design who can ensure that every component of a gameplay experience is supporting the high level direction of the project.
Giant Squid is a small but seasoned team of award-winning game developers, known for making ABZÛ and The Pathless. Our innovative and beautiful games spring from a team culture that is friendly, open, respectful, and inclusive. Our core gameplay focus is primarily on movement, atmosphere, emotional impact, and game feel rather than difficult skill tests and intricate mechanical systems. We are looking for an individual who is excited to help us create the kind of distinctive game experience that our studio is known for.
This is a full-time remote position, and we are a fully remote team. We operate mainly in the PST time zone and prefer that your location is in a time zone relatively close to ours – ideally within 3 hours from Pacific Time.
Responsibilities
Prototype, tune, and polish gameplay experiences and the features that drive them, in close collaboration with designers, gameplay programmers and artists
Work with directors to understand the high level direction of the game and design experiences that align with it
Block in level spaces that have good pacing, composition and clear functional gameplay, ready to be handed off to environment artists for visual polish
Script custom interactions for moments in levels, utilizing and expanding on functionality and assets provided by programmers and artists
Bring gameplay experiences to final shipping quality by implementing iterative improvements derived from user playtests
Assist in the creation of tool scripts that empower environment artists and designers to work more efficiently
Qualifications
Shipped at least one title where you were responsible for game design and scripting
Experience with 3D modeling for level prototyping
Proficiency with UE blueprint scripting or C++
Clear communicator
UE4 or UE5 experience
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Make sure to read the job description carefully, and understand what the role requires.
Update your CV if needed, proofread, and fix any errors.
Make sure your CV reflects and highlights the main skills required for the job.
Take some time to research the company, try to understand their kind of games and work culture.
Write a cover letter. This is your chance to draw their attention. Show why you're a good candidate, and you can show you have researched their company and why you're interested in applying.
Make sure to include your portfolio link if you have one. Any open source projects might be of great value as well. If you don't have a portfolio, you should consider making one in the future.
