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Game System Designer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of ... As a Senior Game Designer, you'll own complex areas of the game, exercise strong creative judgment ...

... game development. DESIGN What We Do Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help ...

Senior Systems Designer, Progression

Cary, NC · On-site

$94K - $101K/yr

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of ... Designers at Epic drive vision across cross-disciplinary development teams to engage players with ...

They are seeking a Senior Gameplay Engineer who will collaborate with designers and the engineering team to enhance gameplay systems, ensuring a satisfying and immersive player experience.

Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make ... Experience designing building-based systems and rules integrations to recreate physical play ...

You will work closely with designers and the broader engineering team to fine-tune character, camera, and control systems and help us find the fun in our gameplay loops. Your work will have a direct ...

You will work closely with designers and the broader engineering team to fine-tune character, camera, and control systems and help us find the fun in our gameplay loops. Your work will have a direct ...

What You'll Do As an experienced Senior Technical UI Designer, you will work closely with UX ... You have solid programming fundamentals, object-oriented design, data structures, and game systems ...

You will work closely with designers and the broader engineering team to fine-tune character, camera, and control systems and help us find the fun in our gameplay loops. Your work will have a direct ...

This allows games like Fortnite to utilize a combination of platform online services as well as ... Apply deep knowledge of operating system internals to detect and prevent the latest cheating ...

Senior Gameplay Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

You will work closely with designers and the broader engineering team to fine‑tune character, camera, and control systems and help us find the fun in our gameplay loops. Your work will have a ...

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

$119K - $132K/yr

... designers, and artists. In this role, you will * Assist in prototyping and implementing gameplay features in collaboration with art and design * Help debug, test, and fix bugs in gameplay systems

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Cary, NC · On-site

$119K - $132K/yr

... designers, and artists. In this role, you will * Assist in prototyping and implementing gameplay features in collaboration with art and design * Help debug, test, and fix bugs in gameplay systems

Senior Level Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

$94K - $101K/yr

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic. What You'll Do Epic is looking for a Senior Level Designer to ...

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Technical Designer in Animation (TDiA) to join our team working across various animation systems. As a TDiA, you will use your animation sense and technical ...

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic. What You'll Do Epic is looking for a Lead Level Designer to join ...

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Technical Designer in Animation (TDiA) to join our team working across various animation systems. As a TDiA, you will use your animation sense and technical ...

From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of ... You will gain invaluable experiences working alongside Artists, Engineers, Designers, Producers ...

Senior Technical Designer, Events

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

Required : • 5-8 years of professional game design experience with multiple shipped titles. • ... systems. • Adaptable and solutions-focused, with the ability to move quickly when priorities ...

Senior Level Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

As a Senior Level Designer, you will play a key role in bringing game worlds to life through both ... Collaborate closely with combat, systems, and engineering teams to help implement gameplay ...

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Game System Designer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$45.7K

$151.6K

How much do game system designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for game system designer in Raleigh, NC is $144,954.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $150,700.00 and $150,700.00 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 Raleigh, NC?

For Game System Designer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game System Designer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Game System Designer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Game System Designer jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Game System Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Game System Designer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $144,954 per year, or $69.7 per hour.

Senior Game Designer

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
DESIGN
What We Do
Put your design skills to work at a cutting-edge company that challenges the norm. From character and level design to competitive gameplay and system design, help shape the future of interactive entertainment at Epic.
What You'll Do
You will collaborate with cross-disciplinary development teams to design, prototype, implement, and ship key features that expand the Fortnite universe. As a Senior Game Designer, you'll own complex areas of the game, exercise strong creative judgment, and help guide features from initial vision through polished player-facing experiences.
In this role, you will
  • Own Major Features: Drive the design and development of significant gameplay features and systems from concept through launch, establishing a clear vision, documentation, implementation plan, and path to a high-quality player experience.
  • Implement in Blueprint: Work hands-on in Unreal Engine to prototype and implement designs using Blueprint scripting, partnering closely with engineering, animation, VFX, audio, art, and other disciplines to bring features to life.
  • Shape the Big-Picture Vision: Contribute to broader product and gameplay decisions by identifying opportunities, evaluating trade-offs, and helping the team prioritize features that deliver meaningful value to players.
  • Drive Prototyping & Iteration: Lead rapid prototyping and iteration loops, using everything from early design pitches and paper concepts to playable in-engine prototypes to validate ideas and solve complex design problems.
  • Champion the Player Experience: Apply a deep understanding of player motivations and behaviors to create compelling goals, gameplay loops, and experiences that keep players engaged over time.
  • Leverage Playtests & Data: Regularly participate in playtests and design reviews, synthesizing feedback, player insights, and gameplay data into actionable imp
  • Partner Across Disciplines: Communicate design intent clearly and build alignment across teams, proactively identifying dependencies, risks, and opportunities throughout development. Raise the Design Bar: Provide thoughtful feedback and design guidance to other team members, helping strengthen features and maintain a high-quality bar across the player experience.
What we're looking for
  • Experience: 5+ years of professional game design experience, with a track record of designing and shipping high-quality gameplay features or systems.
  • Feature Ownership: Demonstrated experience independently owning complex features from early concept and prototyping through implementation, iteration, polish, and release.
  • Unreal Engine Expertise: Strong hands-on experience working in Unreal Engine, including Blueprint scripting and implementing gameplay directly in-engine.
  • Live-Ops Domain Knowledge: Experience designing content, features, or systems for Games-as-a-Service (GaaS), live-service games, or highly active online multiplayer ecosystems.
  • Multiplayer & Genre Expertise: Strong understanding of multiplayer game design and a passion for Battle Royale and other large-scale multiplayer experiences.
  • Player Empathy: A strong ability to understand player motivations, behaviors, and different forms of play, and to translate those insights into compelling gameplay experiences.
  • Design Judgment: Proven ability to evaluate ideas, navigate ambiguity, and make thoughtful decisions.
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.