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Game System Designer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in game design, Entertainment Design, Communications Design, Graphic Design, UX ... Experience with embedded software and hardware systems * Proficiency in 3D design using Autodesk ...

Bachelor's degree in game design, Entertainment Design, Communications Design, Graphic Design, UX ... Experience with embedded software and hardware systems * Proficiency in 3D design using Autodesk ...

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Game System Designer information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game System Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game System Designer, you need strong analytical thinking, creativity, and a solid understanding of game mechanics, often supported by a background in game design, computer science, or a related field. Familiarity with game engines (such as Unity or Unreal), prototyping tools, and scripting languages like C# or Lua is highly beneficial. Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help you collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and iterate on complex systems. These skills ensure engaging, balanced, and technically feasible gameplay experiences that drive a game's success.

What is the difference between Game System Designer vs Game Level Designer?

AspectGame System DesignerGame Level Designer
Primary FocusDesigns core game mechanics, systems, and rulesCreates and designs individual game levels and environments
Required SkillsSystems thinking, programming knowledge, gameplay designLevel layout, environment art, storytelling through level design
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with programmers, designers, and artists on overall game systemsWorks closely with artists and narrative teams to craft engaging levels
Industry UsageCommon in game development studios focusing on gameplay mechanicsCommon in studios emphasizing level and environment design

While both roles are essential in game development, the Game System Designer focuses on creating the underlying mechanics that define gameplay, whereas the Game Level Designer concentrates on crafting the individual levels players explore. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and collaboration points within game development teams.

How does a Game System Designer typically collaborate with other departments during the game development process?

Game System Designers work closely with various teams such as artists, programmers, producers, and narrative designers to ensure that gameplay mechanics align with the overall vision of the game. They often participate in cross-functional meetings, provide detailed system documentation, and gather feedback from playtest sessions to refine systems. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as system designers must balance creative ideas with technical constraints and player experience. This role is highly collaborative, requiring frequent coordination to integrate new features, resolve design challenges, and maintain a cohesive game experience.

What are Game System Designers?

Game System Designers are professionals who create, balance, and refine the underlying rules and mechanics that govern how a video game operates. They focus on designing systems such as combat, progression, economy, and rewards to ensure an engaging and balanced player experience. By collaborating with other developers, they translate creative ideas into mathematical models and gameplay loops that keep players challenged and entertained. Their work is crucial to the overall feel and longevity of a game.
What job categories do people searching Game System Designer jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Game System Designer jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Game System Designer jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Game System Designer job openings:
Senior Designer - VehicleOS, Instrumentation

Senior Designer - VehicleOS, Instrumentation

General Motors

Warren, MI • On-site

$106K - $163K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


General Motors rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 305 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

Job Description
Work Arrangement
This role is categorized as hybrid. The successful candidate is expected to report to GM Sunnyvale Technical Center or Warren, Sloan Technical Center three times per week, or as dictated by business needs.
The Role
GM's Human Interface Design - Vehicle Studio is hiring a Senior Designer - Instrumentation to lead the future of in-vehicle driver information. In this role, you will act as a senior individual contributor and domain expert for digital instrument clusters and alert architecture, defining patterns that make complex, real-time information clear, glanceable, and trustworthy. You'll partner closely with design managers, software, engineering, safety, and product teams to ship high-quality cluster experiences at scale across GM brands.
If you're passionate about data-rich interfaces, safety-critical UI, and crafting cohesive information systems that drivers can rely on every day, this role is for you.
What You'll Do
  • Lead the design of digital instrument clusters, including layouts, cluster faces, states, and model/brand variants.
  • Define and refine alert and notification architecture, prioritizing safety, legibility, and consistency across programs.
  • Shape information hierarchy, motion, and state models for real-time and contextual driver information.
  • Partner with product managers, software engineers, safety, and human factors to translate requirements into user-centered, regulation-aware solutions.
  • Own complex initiatives from early concepts and IA through wireframes, prototypes, and final specifications.
  • Contribute to and evolve design guidelines, patterns, and frameworks for driver information and alerts across the ecosystem.
  • Collaborate with brand design to ensure instrumentation feels on-brand while maintaining clarity and usability.
  • Leverage research, validation studies, and data to iterate and improve designs.
  • Mentor other designers on instrumentation best practices, elevating the craft and quality across the team.
  • Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and curious team culture.

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • 5+ years' experience creating digital interfaces for automotive, web, mobile, gaming, or embedded systems, with a strong focus on complex information displays or real-time data.
  • Formal training or degree in Interface Design, Visual Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related discipline.
  • Strong portfolio showcasing UX, interaction design, visual systems, and information design for data-rich or real-time experiences.
  • Demonstrated experience owning end-to-end design of complex, multi-state interfaces.
  • Ability to exercise restraint in design, balancing aesthetics, glanceability, and functional clarity for safety-critical use cases.
  • Proficiency in design tools such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, plus familiarity with prototyping tools for motion and interaction.
  • Proven ability to partner with cross-functional teams (engineering, safety, human factors, product, brand) to solve complex problems.
  • Strong problem-solving and organizational skills, with experience managing multiple programs or variants in parallel.
  • Excellent visual, verbal, and written communication skills, especially when explaining complex states and behaviors.

What Can Give You a Competitive Advantage (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Experience in automotive HMI, especially instrument clusters, HUDs, or safety-critical displays.
  • Hands-on experience in lean or agile product environments, including iterative design and rapid validation.
  • Strong understanding of accessibility, legibility, and inclusive design in low-attention, in-vehicle contexts.
  • Proficiency in interactive prototyping (software and/or hardware), ideally with real-time system or data simulation.
  • Experience mentoring other designers and influencing design direction beyond your immediate projects.

Compensation:
  • The expected base compensation for this role is: ($106,600-163,400). Actual base compensation within the identified range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
  • Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.
  • Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}.This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, emailus or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

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About General Motors

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General Motors is a company with global scale and capabilities, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, with employees around the world. The company employs over 165,000 people, serves six continents, operates across 22 time zones, and has a diverse workforce speaking 75 languages1. GM’s vision is to drive the world forward by pioneering innovations that move and connect people to what matters. The company is working towards an all-electric future with its new Ultium Platform and is pushing transportation options beyond our wildest imaginations with autonomous vehicles. GM is also committed to becoming the most inclusive company in the world.

Industry

Transportation equipment manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Detroit, MI, US

Year founded

1908