Lead Game Designer

Position Overview

Echtra Games is looking for a Lead Designer to join our growing team for a new AAA PC and Console ARPG. We are looking for a design leader who is dedicated to creating exceptional player-focused games that transport and immerse the audience. This leader will lead a team of talented designers fostering innovation and excellence, while playing a pivotal role in shaping our studio’s design strategy and ensuring its successful implementation. We are looking for an enthusiastic self-starter with a proven track record of leading and guiding design initiatives from inception to delivery, with a strong focus on player satisfaction, replayability, and fun.

Echtra Games is a small game studio in San Francisco with a team of veteran game developers and visionary newcomers who work both on-site and remotely. At Echtra, we value diversity and support work-life balance. We also have great benefits, an open vacation policy, and flexible schedules!

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Design team to ideate, define, and develop features that yield world-class experiences for our players
• Synthesize the needs of players and all development disciplines to identify problems and then research, analyze, design, execute and validate solutions
• You will oversee, mentor & coach the designers and take an active role in their career development and goal setting
• Review and provide constructive feedback on design work, ensuring high-quality output
• Own the design team partnership with production and discipline leads on sprint and milestone planning
• Own design team prioritization and division of responsibilities
• Set examples, guidelines, and best practices in Design for others in your game team
• Encourage a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and respect
• Identify key hires for the team, and take an active role in the recruitment process through onboarding and beyond
• Maintain a strong understanding of the game’s target audience and market trends to guide design choices

Requirements & Competencies

• An experienced veteran that fully understands the limitations and best practices of developing AAA games for PC and Console, including at least one leadership role and at least one action/role-playing title shipped in this position
• Proven experience in game design, with a focus on action RPGs or 3rd person shooters
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing and mentoring design teams
• Broad knowledge of all aspects of game design with a strong understanding of combat and encounter design, balance, difficulty, progression and reward, gameplay variety and usability.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, work efficiently, and manage multiple design streams simultaneously
• Able to collaborate with proactive communication and a willingness to build consensus with competing perspectives
• Deep working knowledge of industry standard game engines (UE4/UE5 preferred)
• Highly engaged and experienced in collaborating and partnering with technical team members

Pluses

• Experience building games-as-a-service

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary, bonus plan and ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
• 401K Company Match Contribution (US)
• RRSP/DPSP company match contribution (Canada)
• Health coverage, dental, disability, critical illness, EAP, and life insurance (Canada)
• Medical, dental, vision, EAP, life insurance, and disability benefits (US)
• Virtual mental health and neurodiversity support programs
• Global Fitness reimbursement program
• Global Wellbeing Program
• Financial wellness program with unlimited access to certified financial planners
• Discretionary Time Off policy for many employees
• Family planning support program
• Generous paid parental, pregnancy-related disability, caregiver, and compassionate leaves
• Subsidized Back-up child care (US)
• Zynga happy hours and frequent employee events
• Flexible working hours on many teams
• Culture of diversity and inclusion including employee resource groups
• Work with cool people and impact millions of daily players

We are an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to building a diverse and talented workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome job-seekers, players, employees, and partners from all backgrounds to join us!

We will consider all qualified job-seekers with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities in order to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at AccommodationRequest@zynga.com to request an accommodation associated with your application for an open position.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $114,400 and $169,300 per year.

The pay range for this position in Washington at the start of employment is expected to be between $114,400 and $169,300 per year.

The pay range for this position in Illinois at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,700 and $149,060 per year. 

The pay range for this position in New York City at the start of employment is expected to be between $114,400 and $169,300 per year.

This is a fully remote role that may be based anywhere in the United States. The pay range for this position for applicants based in Colorado at the start of employment is expected to be between 94,200 and $139,440 per year. 

However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.