The Senior Game Designer will create engaging gameplay systems for next-generation wargaming and ... Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ...
The Senior Game Designer will create engaging gameplay systems for next-generation wargaming and ... Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ...
Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and ... progression, or game balance. May lead one or more development pods of cross-discipline ...
Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and ... progression, or game balance. May lead one or more development pods of cross-discipline ...
As a Systems Designer on the Sand Table team, you will create engaging and realistic gameplay ... Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ...
As a Systems Designer on the Sand Table team, you will create engaging and realistic gameplay ... Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ...
The Systems Designer will create engaging gameplay systems for wargaming and briefing capabilities ... Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ...
The Systems Designer will create engaging gameplay systems for wargaming and briefing capabilities ... Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ...
Lead Systems Designer
$152K - $229K/yr
Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and ... progression, or game balance. May lead one or more development pods of cross-discipline ...
Lead Systems Designer
$152K - $229K/yr
Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and ... progression, or game balance. May lead one or more development pods of cross-discipline ...
Game Designer
Kirkland, WA · On-site
$78K - $116K/yr
Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance fun, difficulty, and monetization across your ...
Game Designer
Kirkland, WA · On-site
$78K - $116K/yr
Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance fun, difficulty, and monetization across your ...
Game Designer
Kirkland, WA · On-site
$78K - $116K/yr
Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance fun, difficulty, and monetization across your ...
Game Designer
Kirkland, WA · On-site
$78K - $116K/yr
Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance fun, difficulty, and monetization across your ...
Game Designer
Kirkland, WA · On-site
$78K - $116K/yr
Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance fun, difficulty, and monetization across your ...
Game Designer
Kirkland, WA · On-site
$78K - $116K/yr
Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance fun, difficulty, and monetization across your ...
Game Designer
Kirkland, WA · On-site
$78K - $116K/yr
Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance fun, difficulty, and monetization across your ...
Game Designer
Kirkland, WA · On-site
$78K - $116K/yr
Cat Daddy is seeking a Game Designer to join our team of artists, engineers, and product managers ... Collaborate with cross-functional teams to balance fun, difficulty, and monetization across your ...
Lead Systems Designer
Cheyenne, WY · On-site +1
$152K - $229K/yr
Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and ... progression, or game balance. May lead one or more development pods of cross-discipline ...
Lead Systems Designer
Cheyenne, WY · On-site +1
$152K - $229K/yr
Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and ... progression, or game balance. May lead one or more development pods of cross-discipline ...
$162K/yr
As a Game Designer focused on Mechanics and Live Balance, you will be responsible for designing and tuning core gameplay systems that drive player flow, engagement, and long-term retention. You will ...
$162K/yr
As a Game Designer focused on Mechanics and Live Balance, you will be responsible for designing and tuning core gameplay systems that drive player flow, engagement, and long-term retention. You will ...
Game Designer
$145K/yr
Use data to understand our customers and create, tune, and balance features. * Be a generalist game designer, ready to work end-to-end, from core loop development to live service management on new ...
Game Designer
$145K/yr
Use data to understand our customers and create, tune, and balance features. * Be a generalist game designer, ready to work end-to-end, from core loop development to live service management on new ...
Senior Game Designer, Systems (Sand Table)
$116K - $124K/yr
Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ... Present gameplay system designs to stakeholders, explaining design decisions and gathering feedback
Senior Game Designer, Systems (Sand Table)
$116K - $124K/yr
Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ... Present gameplay system designs to stakeholders, explaining design decisions and gathering feedback
Game Designer
$145K/yr
Use data to understand our customers and create, tune, and balance features. * Be a generalist game designer, ready to work end-to-end, from core loop development to live service management on new ...
Game Designer
$145K/yr
Use data to understand our customers and create, tune, and balance features. * Be a generalist game designer, ready to work end-to-end, from core loop development to live service management on new ...
Senior Game Designer, Systems (Sand Table)
Costa Mesa, CA · On-site
$109K - $116K/yr
Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ... Present gameplay system designs to stakeholders, explaining design decisions and gathering feedback
Senior Game Designer, Systems (Sand Table)
Costa Mesa, CA · On-site
$109K - $116K/yr
Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to ... Present gameplay system designs to stakeholders, explaining design decisions and gathering feedback
Lead, coordinate and participate in collaborative efforts to implement and balance gameplay ... Lead Designer experience on at least one product from start to finish * Strong ability to ...
Lead, coordinate and participate in collaborative efforts to implement and balance gameplay ... Lead Designer experience on at least one product from start to finish * Strong ability to ...
Game Designer, Casual F2P
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$167K/yr
We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them ... You'll work on game economy, progression balance, and feature design while keeping two things in ...
Game Designer, Casual F2P
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$167K/yr
We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them ... You'll work on game economy, progression balance, and feature design while keeping two things in ...
Game Designer, Casual F2P
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$167K/yr
We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them ... You'll work on game economy, progression balance, and feature design while keeping two things in ...
Quick apply
Game Designer, Casual F2P
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$167K/yr
We need a game designer who actually plays casual F2P mobile games, not someone who tolerates them ... You'll work on game economy, progression balance, and feature design while keeping two things in ...
Principal Game Designer, Competitive Systems - VALORANT
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$167K/yr
As a Principal Game Designer, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your ... Experience balancing competitive integrity with engaging and rewarding systems. * Experience as a ...
Principal Game Designer, Competitive Systems - VALORANT
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$167K/yr
As a Principal Game Designer, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your ... Experience balancing competitive integrity with engaging and rewarding systems. * Experience as a ...
Principal Game Designer, Competitive Systems - VALORANT
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$167K/yr
As a Principal Game Designer, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your ... Experience balancing competitive integrity with engaging and rewarding systems. * Experience as a ...
Principal Game Designer, Competitive Systems - VALORANT
Los Angeles, CA · On-site
$167K/yr
As a Principal Game Designer, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience. Your ... Experience balancing competitive integrity with engaging and rewarding systems. * Experience as a ...
Game Balance Designer information
See salary details
$47K - $56.9K
1% of jobs
$56.9K - $66.8K
0% of jobs
$66.8K - $76.7K
0% of jobs
$76.7K - $86.6K
0% of jobs
$86.6K - $96.5K
1% of jobs
$96.5K - $106.5K
1% of jobs
$106.5K - $116.4K
0% of jobs
$116.4K - $126.3K
0% of jobs
$126.3K - $136.2K
3% of jobs
$136.2K - $146.1K
0% of jobs
$148.1K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$146.1K - $156K
94% of jobs
$47K
$156K
How much do game balance designer jobs pay per year?
As of Jun 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for game balance designer in the United States is $149,118.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is the difference between Game Balance Designer vs Game Designer?
| Aspect | Game Balance Designer | Game Designer |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Adjusting and fine-tuning game mechanics for fairness and challenge | Creating overall game concepts, mechanics, and player experience |
| Skills & Credentials | Strong understanding of game mechanics, analytics, and player feedback | Creative design skills, storytelling, and broad game development knowledge |
| Work Environment | Often within specialized teams focusing on mechanics and balancing | Cross-disciplinary teams involved in all aspects of game development |
While both roles are essential in game development, the Game Balance Designer specializes in refining game mechanics to ensure fairness and challenge, whereas the Game Designer oversees the overall game concept and player experience. The balance designer's work complements the broader creative vision of the game designer, making both roles interconnected but distinct in focus.
What does a Game Balance Designer do?
A Game Balance Designer is responsible for ensuring that a video game is fair, challenging, and enjoyable by carefully adjusting gameplay elements such as character abilities, item strengths, and difficulty levels. They analyze player feedback and game data to identify imbalances and make adjustments to mechanics, rules, or content. Their goal is to create a rewarding experience for all players by preventing any one strategy, character, or item from dominating the game, thus maintaining long-term player engagement.
How does a Game Balance Designer typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?
Game Balance Designers work closely with multiple departments, including game design, QA, programming, and art teams. They often participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss gameplay mechanics, gather feedback on player experiences, and ensure that new features maintain overall balance. Effective communication and the ability to advocate for fair, enjoyable gameplay are essential, as balance designers help interpret data from playtests and analytics to recommend adjustments. Collaboration is ongoing throughout development, especially when new content or patches are introduced.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Balance Designer, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Game Balance Designer, you need a strong grasp of game mechanics, mathematical modeling, and data analysis, often supported by a degree in game design, mathematics, or a related field. Familiarity with game engines (such as Unity or Unreal), data visualization tools, and scripting languages (like Python or Lua) is typically required. Creative problem-solving, strong communication, and collaboration skills help in iterating designs and working with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure balanced and engaging gameplay experiences that maintain player satisfaction and the overall success of the game.
More about Game Balance Designer jobs
What job categories do people searching Game Balance Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Game Balance Designer jobs are:
Full-time
Posted 19 days ago
Anduril rating
9.4
Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
Job description
Job Summary:
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company dedicated to transforming military capabilities with advanced technology. The Senior Game Designer will create engaging gameplay systems for next-generation wargaming and briefing capabilities in XR headsets, collaborating closely with creative and technical teams.
Responsibilities:
• Design and develop core gameplay systems including unit behavior models, command structures, and decision-making frameworks for military simulations
• Create detailed combat systems that accurately model weapons effectiveness, damage modeling, and battlefield outcomes
• Create design documentation that clearly communicates system functionality, user interactions, and expected outcomes
• Design scenario creation tools that allow users to quickly build and modify complex military simulations
• Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to military users
• Work closely with AI programmers to design behavior trees, finite state machines, and other AI systems that drive realistic simulation behavior
• Collaborate with engineering teams to implement sensor modeling systems (radar, sonar, ELINT, etc.)
• Partner with UI/UX designers to create intuitive command interfaces for complex military operations that are presented effectively in XR environments
• Identify technical constraints early and develop creative solutions that maintain design integrity while meeting platform requirements
• Prototype gameplay systems to validate concepts before full implementation
• Present gameplay system designs to stakeholders, explaining design decisions and gathering feedback
• Collaborate with business teams and defense subject matter experts to scope system design deliverables
• Maintain effective working relationships with military stakeholders to ensure gameplay systems support mission objectives
• Partner with project managers to ensure design deliverables align with program milestones and customer expectations
• Monitor design scope and iterate based on user feedback, technical constraints, and evolving requirements
• Champion best practices for systems design within the organization
• Mentor junior designers on gameplay systems development
• Foster a culture of open communication, and continuous improvement
• Drive innovation in military simulation design by researching and applying emerging game design methodologies
• Contribute to the overall vision of the Sand Table platform by identifying opportunities for gameplay and usability enhancements
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• 5+ years of professional experience in systems design for games or interactive simulations
• Strong portfolio demonstrating systems design work for complex interactive applications
• Experience with behavior trees, finite state machines, and other AI-driven gameplay systems
• Excellent documentation skills with the ability to create clear design specifications
• Strong analytical skills for gameplay balancing and iterative design
• Excellent spoken and written communication with experience presenting design concepts to stakeholders
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven environment
• Experience with Custom Game Engines, Unity or Unreal Engine
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance
Preferred:
• Experience designing RTS Games, military simulations, wargames, or defense applications
• Knowledge of XR design principles and constraints
• Background in AI design for games or simulations
• Experience shipping at least one AAA game title in a similar role
• Active security clearance
Company:
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that specializes in developing advanced autonomous systems to enhance national security. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company dedicated to transforming military capabilities with advanced technology. The Senior Game Designer will create engaging gameplay systems for next-generation wargaming and briefing capabilities in XR headsets, collaborating closely with creative and technical teams.
Responsibilities:
• Design and develop core gameplay systems including unit behavior models, command structures, and decision-making frameworks for military simulations
• Create detailed combat systems that accurately model weapons effectiveness, damage modeling, and battlefield outcomes
• Create design documentation that clearly communicates system functionality, user interactions, and expected outcomes
• Design scenario creation tools that allow users to quickly build and modify complex military simulations
• Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to military users
• Work closely with AI programmers to design behavior trees, finite state machines, and other AI systems that drive realistic simulation behavior
• Collaborate with engineering teams to implement sensor modeling systems (radar, sonar, ELINT, etc.)
• Partner with UI/UX designers to create intuitive command interfaces for complex military operations that are presented effectively in XR environments
• Identify technical constraints early and develop creative solutions that maintain design integrity while meeting platform requirements
• Prototype gameplay systems to validate concepts before full implementation
• Present gameplay system designs to stakeholders, explaining design decisions and gathering feedback
• Collaborate with business teams and defense subject matter experts to scope system design deliverables
• Maintain effective working relationships with military stakeholders to ensure gameplay systems support mission objectives
• Partner with project managers to ensure design deliverables align with program milestones and customer expectations
• Monitor design scope and iterate based on user feedback, technical constraints, and evolving requirements
• Champion best practices for systems design within the organization
• Mentor junior designers on gameplay systems development
• Foster a culture of open communication, and continuous improvement
• Drive innovation in military simulation design by researching and applying emerging game design methodologies
• Contribute to the overall vision of the Sand Table platform by identifying opportunities for gameplay and usability enhancements
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• 5+ years of professional experience in systems design for games or interactive simulations
• Strong portfolio demonstrating systems design work for complex interactive applications
• Experience with behavior trees, finite state machines, and other AI-driven gameplay systems
• Excellent documentation skills with the ability to create clear design specifications
• Strong analytical skills for gameplay balancing and iterative design
• Excellent spoken and written communication with experience presenting design concepts to stakeholders
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven environment
• Experience with Custom Game Engines, Unity or Unreal Engine
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance
Preferred:
• Experience designing RTS Games, military simulations, wargames, or defense applications
• Knowledge of XR design principles and constraints
• Background in AI design for games or simulations
• Experience shipping at least one AAA game title in a similar role
• Active security clearance
Company:
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that specializes in developing advanced autonomous systems to enhance national security. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.
About Anduril Industries
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.
Industry
Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing
Company size
501 - 1,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Costa Mesa, CA, US
Year founded
2017