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Game Balance Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Insomniac Games

Lead Systems Designer

OR · On-site +1

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 ...

Side

Lead Designer

Fort Lauderdale, FL · On-site

Review and improve gameplay flow, combat encounters, boss experiences, and overall game balance ... Proven experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped commercial ...

Side

Lead Designer

Charleston, SC · On-site

Review and improve gameplay flow, combat encounters, boss experiences, and overall game balance ... Proven experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped commercial ...

Side

Lead Designer

Charleston, SC · On-site +1

Review and improve gameplay flow, combat encounters, boss experiences, and overall game balance ... Proven experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped commercial ...

side

Lead Designer

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

Review and improve gameplay flow, combat encounters, boss experiences, and overall game balance ... Proven experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped commercial ...

side

Lead Designer

Charleston, SC · Remote

Review and improve gameplay flow, combat encounters, boss experiences, and overall game balance ... Proven experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped commercial ...

MrBeast

Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Experience balancing virtual economies and progression systems. * Experience designing all-ages or ... Game mechanics are engaging without relying on exploitative monetization. * You develop a ...

Side

Lead Designer

Los Angeles, CA

Review and improve gameplay flow, combat encounters, boss experiences, and overall game balance ... Proven experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped commercial ...

Insomniac Games

Lead Systems Designer

$152K - $229K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

... balance features. • Be a generalist game designer, ready to work end-to-end, from core loop development to live service management on new games and features. • Seek out critiques and ...

Limit Break

$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 ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT

$145K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

MobilityWare

Game Designer

Lehi, UT · On-site

$145K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

Amazon

Game Designer, Amazon Game Studios

Culver City, CA · On-site

$169K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Amazon Game Studios is looking for a Game Designer - we build exciting new casual and innovative ... resolve ambiguity and balance competing priorities. Key job responsibilities Key job ...

Templar Media

Lead Game Designer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

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 ...

TapBlaze

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 ...

TapBlaze

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 ...

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All JobsGame Balance Designer Jobs

Game Balance Designer information

See salary details

$47K

$156K

How much do game balance designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 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 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game balance designer?

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.

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 is the difference between Game Balance Designer vs Game Designer?

AspectGame Balance DesignerGame Designer
Primary FocusAdjusting and fine-tuning game mechanics for fairness and challengeCreating overall game concepts, mechanics, and player experience
Skills & CredentialsStrong understanding of game mechanics, analytics, and player feedbackCreative design skills, storytelling, and broad game development knowledge
Work EnvironmentOften within specialized teams focusing on mechanics and balancingCross-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.

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:

Game Balance Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Balance Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 7% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 80% In-person, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

Lead Systems Designer

Insomniac Games

OR • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and on-time delivery of all design systems for a large-scale game production, as well as the direct management, mentorship, and growth of a small Systems Design team.  Duties will be split between management and hands-on design as needed.

The ideal candidates are self-driven, focused on practical, high-quality execution, and will strive to create an environment in continuous improvement - both on screen and our staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Responsible for managing, mentoring, and directing a team of Systems Designers, including regular coaching, career development, and performance management. Serves as hiring manager for Systems Designers.
  • Oversees and directly works on the design, prototyping, iteration and polish of gameplay systems such as player mechanics, non-combat systems, world simulation, economy, progression, or game balance.  May lead one or more development pods of cross-discipline contributors.
  • Directly prototypes, implements, and iterates on gameplay systems through proprietary internal tools and scripting systems.
  • Fosters a strong environment of creative collaboration across all disciplines. Works directly with Gameplay Programming counterparts to best leverage skills and creativity across both departments for systems design and implementation.
  • Writes and regularly updates clear gameplay system documentation detailing the scope and feature set for gameplay features. Creates tutorial videos and documentation to support systems.
  • Works with Project Management to plan and maintain the systems design schedule, set priorities, plan milestones, and assign work to Systems Designers. Proactively communicates across the team to create alignment among stakeholders and clarity about status, direction, and dependencies.  
  • Regularly reviews design work in progress, proactively gathers feedback, and drives iteration and quality. Accountable for creative quality of all game design systems work and for ensuring the team is hitting on-screen quality targets for each milestone.
  • Collaborates with the Design Director and project Game Director to ensure systems design meets the project's creative and technical goals.
  • Ensures consistency in design systems across the whole game experience by creating, tracking, and enforcing standards and metrics. Directly supports Mission Design work in this as needed.
  • Runs brainstorms / reviews, creates buy-in and alignment, and champions design vision and values through clear communication and inclusivity.
  • Works with other Systems Design staff across the studio to develop best practices, shared process, and design standards.
  • Creates a safe, supportive, and creative work environment that exemplifies our studio values.
  • Other managerial and creative duties as needed.

Supervisory Duties

Directly supervises a team of Systems Designers. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; resolving problems together with the Team and Design Department leadership.

Computer Skills:

  • Intermediateknowledge and experience with level editing tools and scripting (Unreal Engine, Unity, or similar editors).
  • Intermediate knowledge of Maya orother major 3D modeling programs.
  • Adobe Illustrator experience andUE4 Blueprintscripting skills are a plus.
  • Working knowledge of MicrosoftOffice Suite.

Other Skills:

  • Individual must have very good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with team members and other developers.
  • Strong communication skills including verbal and written skills are required.

Apply