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Game System Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As a Senior Game Engineer - Graphics on teamLFG, you will work closely with artists, designers and ... RESPONSIBILITIES Build and maintain production-quality gameplay systems, workflows, and tools in C ...

Game Designer, Amazon Game Studios

Culver City, CA · On-site

$169K/yr

Amazon Game Studios is looking for a Game Designer - we build exciting new casual and innovative ... AI systems and their application to enhance player experiences, or demonstrated willingness to ...

OR · On-site

$107K - $158K/yr

Ghost Story Games is seeking a talented Senior Designer to join us on Judas, the highly anticipated game led by Ken Levine (System Shock 2, BioShock series). Unique in its creative vision, Judas is ...

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 ... Regularly audit existing economy systems and propose rebalancing when something is off with a clear ...

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 ... Regularly audit existing economy systems and propose rebalancing when something is off with a clear ...

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Game System Designer information

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$47K

$156K

How much do game system designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for game system 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 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.
More about Game System Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Game System Designer jobs? Cities with the most Game System Designer job openings:
What states have the most Game System Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Game System Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Game System Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Game System Designer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Game System Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

Principal Game Designer, Meta Systems and Progression - League of Legends

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA

$167K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

As a Principal Game Designer on League of Legends, you will design, tweak, and optimize the player experience as we set up League of Legends for its next 10 years. Your analytical skills, player insight, and creativity aid in crafting in- and out-of-game experiences that engage and surprise players. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and work with every tool at hand to innovate and iterate player-focused designs that'll delight millions around the world.

As a Principal Game Designer specializing in meta-systems and progression, you'll help shape how players engage with systems around the core gameplay loop and how they progress through the new player journey, seasonal content, and their overall player life cycle. You'll partner with other designers, artists, and engineers to develop systems that provide meaningful progression, deep strategic choices, and rewarding long-term engagement. You'll have significant League of Legends affinity and experience, understanding the challenges our players encounter and the motivations that drive them. You are comfortable operating in an ambiguous environment and able to design and iterate on new solutions to old problems. You will report to the Design Director for League of Legends.

Responsibilities:
  • Define and evolve meta systems (e.g., progression, rewards, battle pass, quests, out-of-game content) to amplify player engagement and support overall product goals.
  • Work closely with product managers, engineers, artists, and other designers to ensure systems are cohesive, consistent, and in line with League of Legends' overall vision.
  • Keep the focus on player value by leveraging feedback, user research, and game data to iterate on designs and ensure high-quality experiences.
  • Provide direction, mentorship, and feedback to other game designers, fostering an environment of collaboration and craft excellence.
  • Research and champion new trends, tools, and technologies that can elevate League of Legends meta systems and keep them fresh, fun, and competitive.
  • Maintain a player-first mindset in every decision. Embody Riot's core values of player experience, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Required Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of experience in professional Game Design
  • Deep experience in developing a wide variety of meta-systems
  • Ability to analyze complex data sets and translate findings into innovative design solutions that resonate with players.
  • Experience working in a "games as a service" environment.
  • High familiarity with League of Legends game experience.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience with what approaches to design best meet MOBA players' needs.
  • Experience as a senior thought leader of materially-impactful world-class innovations on a commercial video game
  • An intuitive sense of player motivations, behaviors, and feedback loops in competitive multiplayer environments

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we put players first. That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you're working directly on a new player-facing experience or you're supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we're better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we're looking forward to your application.

It's our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

  • Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
  • Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
  • Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
  • Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. 


Riot Games logo

About Riot Games

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Riot Games was founded in 2006 by Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill with the intent to change the way video games are made and supported for players. In 2009, Riot released its debut title League of Legends to worldwide acclaim. The game has since gone on to become the most played PC game in the world and a key driver of the explosive growth of esports. Players are the foundation of our community and it's for them we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends experience.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2006

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