***This position has the flexibility to be fully remote***

Principal Progression Designer

Sony Bend Studio, renowned creator of Days Gone, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and Syphon Filter, is seeking outstanding talent to join our passionate and creative team in crafting our next high-profile AAA title.

We are looking for a Principal Progression Designer who can create and implement the core economies and progression ecosystems that drive player engagement, satisfaction, and retention. This is a critical role for our studio and provides the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the game.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with project leaders to develop strategies for engaging and retaining players from target segments over many hours of gameplay.
• Implement these strategies by designing and developing fun, meaningful progression ecosystems. Work with cross-functional teams to build the tools and processes needed to execute these designs.
• Create and maintain documentation of progression systems and related features including conceptual design briefs, extensive spreadsheet modeling, and data visualization.
• Help communicate strategic priorities and design solutions throughout the organization. Define and encourage best practices.
• Guide developers in the design and creation of new content, assets, features, and other rewards.
• Work with User-Experience Research (UXR) to build robust player models, test hypotheses, and forecast outcomes. Deliver an intuitive and elegant player experience that meets the complex needs of a demanding player base.
• Help define key performance indicators (KPIs) and support telemetry implementation, testing, and improvements.
• Analyze KPI data and develop actionable insights to inform iteration of progression systems and increase player retention. Help lead and implement changes.
• Mentor designers and collaborate with studio leadership to recruit and develop talent.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of senior experience in video game progression design or related fields with a track record of commercially successful games.
• In-depth knowledge of current trends, innovations, and competitive approaches in game progression design.
• A player-centered approach to design. Empathy for gamers and a deep understanding of player motivation, needs, and psychology.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. Able to clearly explain complex game principles, strategies, and solutions to a diverse audience of stakeholders.
• Expert proficiency in data management, analysis, and visualization.
• Growth mindset. Driven by curiosity and a genuine commitment to learning.
• Highly collaborative. An advocate for inclusive, accessible design and fostering diverse talent within the team.
• Ability to break down, prioritize, and manage tasks across sprints, milestones, and development phases.
• Willingness to support the team with hands-on contributions when necessary.

Bonus Qualifications:

• Advanced degree or equivalent in economics, data science, cognitive psychology, or related disciplines.
• Experience working in proprietary game engines and/or agile development.
• Proficiency in visual scripting and/or code.

We are building a design culture that values trust, inclusivity, collaboration, innovation, growth mindset, and sustainability. If you have the skills we are looking for and are passionate about creating incredible experiences for both our players and the people on your team, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume and portfolio.