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Game Systems Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Limit Break

$162K/yr

Game Designer (Puzzle) About us: Deep expertise. Personal and Industry evolution. Impeccable craft ... Design and balance gameplay mechanics and progression systems that reinforce player flow ...

Valicy

Gameplay Systems Engineer

Greenville, NC · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Stay current with emerging AI tools, game engines, frameworks, prototyping methods, and new ... Experience working with designers, artists, QA, math, or production teams through a full ...

MrBeast

Game Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$182K/yr

Game Designer (Experience & Systems) About the Role We're looking for an exceptional Game Designer to help build the most fun and engaging consumer app in the world. This is not a traditional game ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Facilitate playtesting and feedback sessions to iterate on combat systems and fine-tune them based ... games * At least one shipped title as a combat designer or similar role. Experience with behavior ...

Cape Fox Corporation

$80 - $100/hr

Multimedia Project Instructional Systems Designer - (8990) Share this job as a link in your status ... gaming, 3D modeling, virtual reality and simulation * Demonstrated extensive experience in ...

Valicy

Gameplay Systems Engineer

Greenville, NC · On-site

... usable game systems. This role requires someone who actively uses AI and emerging tools to ... designers, artists, QA, math, or production teams through a full development cycle. WORK ...

Spin Master

Game Developer

New York, NY · On-site

$38 - $40/hr

As the Game Developer for Hellbreak TCG, you will analyze card designs and manage our external ... Profound structural understanding of physical trading card game systems and the competitive ...

Kimaru

Game Director

Lead and mentor a cross-functional team of designers and developers. * Guide the evolution of game systems, mechanics, and content based on user data, player feedback, and market trends. * Own the ...

Absurd Ventures

Mission Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1

$100K - $115K/yr

Summary We are seeking a Mission Designer to create highly memorable missions that combine best-in ... Build brand new, innovative game systems for missions that can help define core features across the ...

Absurd Ventures

Mission Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

Summary We are seeking a Mission Designer to create highly memorable missions that combine best-in ... Build brand new, innovative game systems for missions that can help define core features across the ...

SupportFinity™

Lead Designer

California, MO · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Architect and balance core game loops, innovative puzzle mechanics, and long-term progression systems designed to engage a massive F2P audience for years. * Collaborate with the technical team to ...

SIDE

$125 - $150/hr

We're looking for a Senior Unreal Engine Engineer with deep expertise across gameplay systems ... Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working closely with designers ...

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Game Systems Designer information

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$47K

$156K

How much do game systems designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for game systems 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 systems designer?

To thrive as a Game Systems Designer, you need strong analytical thinking, a solid understanding of game mechanics, and a background in game design or computer science. Familiarity with scripting languages, game engines like Unity or Unreal, and prototyping tools is typically required, along with experience using software such as Excel for balancing systems. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication help you work with multidisciplinary teams and iterate on ideas. These skills are crucial to create engaging, balanced, and innovative gameplay experiences that resonate with players.

How does a game systems designer typically collaborate with other departments during game development?

Game Systems Designers work closely with a variety of teams, including programmers, artists, and narrative designers, to ensure game mechanics are balanced, engaging, and integrated seamlessly into the game's world. They often participate in cross-functional meetings to communicate system requirements, provide documentation, and iterate on feedback from playtests. Strong collaboration skills are essential, as adjustments to systems may impact art assets, technical implementation, or storytelling elements, requiring ongoing coordination throughout development.

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

AspectGame Systems DesignerGame Level Designer
Primary FocusDesigning game mechanics, systems, and rulesCreating and designing individual game levels and environments
Skills & QualificationsKnowledge of game mechanics, scripting, systems designLevel design, 3D modeling, environment art
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with programmers, designers, and producersWorks closely with artists and level artists
Industry UsageCommon in game development teams across genresPrimarily in level design departments, especially in AAA and indie games

The Game Systems Designer focuses on creating the core mechanics and systems that define gameplay, while the Game Level Designer specializes in designing engaging levels and environments. Both roles require collaboration with different teams but serve distinct functions in game development.

How to become a game systems designer?

A game systems designer typically needs a bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, or a related field, along with strong skills in programming, mathematics, and game development tools. Gaining experience through internships, personal projects, or portfolio work is important, and knowledge of game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is often required. Building a solid understanding of game mechanics, player psychology, and balancing systems is essential for success in this role.

Is there a high demand for game systems designers?

Game systems designers are in growing demand as the gaming industry expands, especially with the rise of mobile, console, and online games. Employers seek candidates with strong technical skills, knowledge of game mechanics, and experience with design tools like Unity or Unreal Engine, making it a competitive but promising field.

What does a game systems designer do?

A game systems designer develops and balances the rules, mechanics, and systems that define how a game functions and interacts. They collaborate with other team members to create engaging gameplay experiences and often use tools like design documents and game engines to implement their ideas. Strong understanding of game theory, programming, and player behavior is essential for this role.

What cities are hiring for Game Systems Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Game Systems Designer job openings:

What states have the most Game Systems Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Game Systems Designer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Game Systems Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,118 per year, or $71.7 per hour.

Game Designer (Puzzle) (Japan)

Limit Break

$162K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design and balance gameplay mechanics and progression systems to enhance player flow, engagement, and retention

  • Analyze player data and metrics to optimize difficulty curves, in-game economy, and balance through live tuning and experimentation

  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure puzzles communicate goals effectively and support strong feedback loops

Job description
 
 
Limit Break
 
Limit BreakBuckley VenturesParadigm Ventures
 
Limit Break
 

  • Expected Value
  • NormalHardBossEvent

  • UXArtEngineering
  • A/B
  • ARPDAUExpected ValueRetention
  • AI
  • KPI
  • A/B
  • Data ScienceProductLiveOps
Game Designer (Puzzle) 
 
About us:
 
Deep expertise. Personal and Industry evolution. Impeccable craft. These are Limit Break's founding principles.
Limit Break is founded by global industry leaders in mobile gaming. We are unlocking its potential beyond games to transform digital markets into real-world economies and digital worlds into vibrant communities who will take gaming economies for both players and traders to new limits. We combine the power of technology, and creative vision to create experiences that connect people from all corners of the globe.
 
Limit Break is backed by leading investors that include Buckley Ventures & Paradigm Ventures. The adoption rate and a number of public and private partnerships is proving it to be the next wave of technology of the future and Gaming is leading the way.
 
About the Role:
 
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 operate at the intersection of game design, player psychology, and data analytics - continuously optimizing difficulty curves, progression systems, and in-game economy through live data and structured experimentation.
 
 
You will have the opportunity to:
 
  • Design and balance gameplay mechanics and progression systems that reinforce player flow, engagement, and retention
  • Lead continuous post-launch tuning efforts
    Analyze player data, win rates, and retention metrics to optimize gameplay curves and in-game economy balance
  • Define and refine difficulty curves, reward structures, and Expected Value models across player segments
  • Collaborate with Live Operations to maintain healthy source/sink systems and ensure sustainable in-game economic flow
  • Work closely with data analysts to evaluate completion rates, retry rates, booster usage, and monetization correlations
  • Build and maintain structured difficulty tiers (e.g., Normal / Hard / Boss / Event)
  • Lead live tuning cycles, including hypothesis design, parameter adjustments, and performance measurement
  • Partner with UX, Art, and Engineering to ensure puzzles clearly communicate goals and deliver strong feedback loops
  • Design and run A/B tests on gameplay parameters, rewards, and difficulty configurations
  • Document tuning frameworks, economic structures, and balancing methodologies to ensure cross-team alignment
Qualifications:
  • Strong interest in game design, level design, player psychology, and data science
  • Clear understanding of how difficulty design, gameplay flow, and economic systems influence retention and monetization
  • Ability to analyze quantitative metrics (e.g., win/loss rates, ARPDAU, Expected Value, retention deltas) and translate insights into actionable design decisions
  • Experience with capacity planning for level production in casual genres, including the use of automation and AI tools
  • Comfortable iterating quickly based on live KPIs and player feedback
  • Ability to thrive in Agile development environments
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate design intent and logic across disciplines
Nice to Have: 
  • Experience designing within hybrid-casual genres
  • Familiarity with A/B testing frameworks and live balancing tools
  • Background in economy simulation, retention modeling, or monetization design
  • Hands-on experience with source/sink modeling and reward pacing systems
  • Experience with expected value modeling, difficulty curve design, and win-rate-based balancing
Apply now:
If you are confident, driven and are looking for an exciting role, this job could be a great opportunity for you.
Apply to [email protected] to explore this new opportunity.
 
This is an international blockchain gaming company that operates regionally, and is opening offices in multiple locations around the globe.
 
We value diversity at our company. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics in the location in which the candidate is applying. 
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