ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Game System Designer Jobs in Bend, OR (NOW HIRING)

What the Tech, Bend?

Senior Progression Designer

Bend, OR · On-site

$68 - $97/hr

Senior Progression Designer (CONTRACT) Company: Sony Interactive Entertainment -- Sony Bend Studio ... R-124544 Experience: 5+ years of experience in video game progression design, systems design ...

All JobsGame System Designer JobsGame System Designer Jobs in Bend, OR

Game System Designer information

See Bend, OR salary details

$49.6K

$164.6K

How much do game system designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for game system designer in Bend, OR is $157,319.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $163,500.00 and $163,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a game system designer?

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 skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a game system designer?

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.

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 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 do you become a game system designer?

To become a game system designer, typically a candidate needs a background in game design, computer science, or related fields, along with strong skills in programming, mathematics, and understanding of game mechanics. Gaining experience through internships, personal projects, or portfolio work is important, and proficiency with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine can be beneficial.

Is game system designer a good career?

A game system designer develops the rules, mechanics, and systems for video games, often requiring skills in programming, mathematics, and game theory. The field offers opportunities in the gaming industry, but job availability can be competitive and typically requires a strong portfolio and relevant experience.

What are popular job titles related to Game System Designer jobs in Bend, OR?

For Game System Designer jobs in Bend, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game System Designer jobs in Bend, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Game System Designer jobs in Bend, OR are:

Game System Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game System Designer job openings in Bend, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,319 per year, or $75.6 per hour.

Senior Progression Designer

What the Tech, Bend?

Bend, OR • On-site

$68 - $97/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Senior Progression Designer (CONTRACT)
Company: Sony Interactive Entertainment — Sony Bend Studio
Location: Bend, OR, United States
Job ID: R-124544
Experience: 5+ years of experience in video game progression design, systems design, economy design, or related fields, with experience contributing to shipped games
Pay Range: $60–$60 USD (hourly)

Note: This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?
Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we’re part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

How You Will Contribute
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 seeking a Senior Progression Designer to help shape and own the progression systems, rewards, and support economies for our next AAA title. In this role, you will contribute to player experiences that drive satisfaction, motivation, and long-term engagement.

What will you do

  • Design, tune, and implement fun, meaningful progression systems, reward structures, and supporting economies that align with the game’s creative vision and player experience goals
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to define the tools, workflows, and processes needed to build, tune, and maintain progression features
  • Create and maintain clear documentation for progression systems and related features, including design briefs, spreadsheets, tuning models, and data visualizations
  • Communicate design goals, feature updates, and implementation details to team members and stakeholders
  • Partner with developers in the design and creation of new content, assets, features, and rewards that support progression goals
  • Work with User-Experience Research (UXR) to test design hypotheses, understand player behavior, and improve the overall player experience
  • Help implement changes to progression systems based on testing, feedback, and data insights

Skills & Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in video game progression design, systems design, economy design, or related fields, with experience contributing to shipped games
  • Strong knowledge of current trends, innovations, and competitive approaches in game progression and reward design
  • A player-centered approach to design, with empathy for players and an understanding of player motivation, needs, and psychology
  • Strong proficiency in data management, spreadsheet modeling, analysis, and visualization
  • Ability to translate design goals into practical systems, tuning models, and implementation-ready documentation
  • Strong collaboration skills, with a commitment to inclusive, accessible design and a positive team culture
  • Ability to break down, prioritize, and manage tasks across sprints, milestones, and development phases
  • Advanced knowledge of scripting languages and code is preferred, but not required. Comfort working in data tools, tuning pipelines, and implementation-facing workflows is important

Location, Compensation and Benefits

  • Bend, OR, United States
  • Estimated base pay range: $60–$60 USD (hourly)
  • Eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Base pay may vary based on job-related factors including knowledge, skills, experience, and location

Senior Progression Designer (CONTRACT)
Company: Sony Interactive Entertainment — Sony Bend Studio
Location: Bend, OR, United States
Job ID: R-124544
Experience: 5+ years of experience in video game progression design, systems design, economy design, or related fields, with experience contributing to shipped games
Pay Range: $60–$60 USD (hourly)

Note: This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?
Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we’re part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

How You Will Contribute
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 seeking a Senior Progression Designer to help shape and own the progression systems, rewards, and support economies for our next AAA title. In this role, you will contribute to player experiences that drive satisfaction, motivation, and long-term engagement.

What will you do

  • Design, tune, and implement fun, meaningful progression systems, reward structures, and supporting economies that align with the game’s creative vision and player experience goals
  • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to define the tools, workflows, and processes needed to build, tune, and maintain progression features
  • Create and maintain clear documentation for progression systems and related features, including design briefs, spreadsheets, tuning models, and data visualizations
  • Communicate design goals, feature updates, and implementation details to team members and stakeholders
  • Partner with developers in the design and creation of new content, assets, features, and rewards that support progression goals
  • Work with User-Experience Research (UXR) to test design hypotheses, understand player behavior, and improve the overall player experience
  • Help implement changes to progression systems based on testing, feedback, and data insights

Skills & Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in video game progression design, systems design, economy design, or related fields, with experience contributing to shipped games
  • Strong knowledge of current trends, innovations, and competitive approaches in game progression and reward design
  • A player-centered approach to design, with empathy for players and an understanding of player motivation, needs, and psychology
  • Strong proficiency in data management, spreadsheet modeling, analysis, and visualization
  • Ability to translate design goals into practical systems, tuning models, and implementation-ready documentation
  • Strong collaboration skills, with a commitment to inclusive, accessible design and a positive team culture
  • Ability to break down, prioritize, and manage tasks across sprints, milestones, and development phases
  • Advanced knowledge of scripting languages and code is preferred, but not required. Comfort working in data tools, tuning pipelines, and implementation-facing workflows is important

Location, Compensation and Benefits

  • Bend, OR, United States
  • Estimated base pay range: $60–$60 USD (hourly)
  • Eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Base pay may vary based on job-related factors including knowledge, skills, experience, and location
#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply