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Gameplay Combat Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games (Portuguese)

Lead Combat Designer

Cary, NC · On-site

What You'll Do Epic is looking for a Lead Combat Designer to oversee the development of combat ... Experience shipping at least one game where combat design was a core gameplay pillar * Deep ...

Warner Bros. Discovery

Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$47K - $88K/yr

Games family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm's mission remains the ... The Job The Combat Designer will be responsible for significant contributions to game design, with ...

Warnerbros

Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$47K - $88K/yr

Games family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm's mission remains the ... The Job The Combat Designer will be responsible for significant contributions to game design, with ...

Warner Bros. Discovery

Senior Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL · On-site

$89K - $166K/yr

Games family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm's mission remains the ... The Job The Senior Combat Designer will be responsible for significant contributions to game design ...

Warnerbros

Senior Designer, Combat

Chicago, IL

$89K - $166K/yr

Games family. With over 20 years of creation under our belts, NetherRealm's mission remains the ... The Job The Senior Combat Designer will be responsible for significant contributions to game design ...

Naughty Dog

Senior Game Designer (Combat)

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$145K - $181K/yr

Collaborate with the Design team to conceptualize, prototype, implement, tune, and balance gameplay ... At least one shipped title as a combat designer or similar role. Experience with behavior trees or ...

Mundo Gamer Network

$81K - $106K/yr

As a Principal Combat Designer you will be responsible for creating and improving the combat mechanics for our diverse characters to make our game more fun, challenging and engaging. Requirements ...

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Gameplay Combat Designer information

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How much do gameplay combat designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for gameplay combat designer in the United States is $24.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.15 and $27.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a gameplay combat designer?

A Gameplay Combat Designer is a video game professional responsible for designing, balancing, and refining the combat systems of a game. They create rules for how characters interact in battle, design enemy behaviors, and collaborate with other team members to ensure combat is engaging and fun. Their work often involves prototyping combat mechanics, adjusting difficulty, and responding to player feedback to enhance the fighting experience. Combat designers also play a key role in shaping the overall feel and pacing of a game's action sequences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a gameplay combat designer?

To thrive as a Gameplay Combat Designer, you need a solid understanding of game design principles, experience with combat systems, and proficiency in relevant game engines, often supported by a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools like Unreal Engine or Unity, scripting languages, and version control systems is typically required. Creativity, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills that help designers create engaging gameplay experiences. These skills ensure the delivery of balanced, fun, and innovative combat mechanics that meet both player expectations and project goals.

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

Gameplay Combat Designers work closely with teams like animators, programmers, and narrative designers to create engaging combat systems. They regularly communicate their vision through detailed design documents, prototypes, and feedback sessions, ensuring that combat mechanics integrate seamlessly with visuals, story, and technical constraints. Collaboration is often iterative, with designers playtesting new features and refining them based on feedback from QA testers and other stakeholders. Effective teamwork and open communication are essential to bring dynamic, balanced, and fun combat experiences to players.

What is the difference between Gameplay Combat Designer vs Gameplay Level Designer?

AspectGameplay Combat DesignerGameplay Level Designer
Primary FocusDesigning combat mechanics, systems, and interactionsDesigning game levels, environments, and layout flow
Skills & QualificationsKnowledge of combat systems, scripting, game mechanicsLevel design, environment art, spatial reasoning
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with gameplay programmers, artists, and designersWorks closely with environment artists, level artists, and gameplay teams
Industry UsageCommon in action, shooter, fighting gamesCommon in adventure, platformer, open-world games

While both roles involve designing aspects of gameplay, the Gameplay Combat Designer focuses on creating engaging combat systems and mechanics, whereas the Gameplay Level Designer concentrates on designing the environments and levels players navigate. Both roles require collaboration with different teams and contribute to the overall player experience, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Gameplay Combat Designer jobs?

For Gameplay Combat Designer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Gameplay Combat Designer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,768 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

FPS and Space Combat Designer

Seattle, WA • On-site

8 Circuit Studios, Inc.
PC Games • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about 8 Circuit Studios, Inc.external

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Does the term "OP" trigger you into play-balance mode where you desperately seek the nearest spreadsheet to properly adjust game mechanics? Are you driven to set up feedback channels to facilitate iterative gameplay sessions to dial in the myriad of variables in combat models? From match to match, game mode to game mode, and moment to moment, can you see around corners to determine the systems you will need to create a compelling gameplay experience, and then work with Producers to develop requirements and schematics for Engineers? If so, we might have the role for you!


8 Circuit Studios is looking to work with a designer specializing in gameplay mechanics who is ready to create the next novel genre mashup. This role is tailor made for a technically capable gameplay combat designer who can comfortably play with conceptual models and then outline implementation approaches based on established gameplay mechanics.


If you are schedule minded and release focused, we’d love to hear from you.


Responsibilities

  • Drive game design with creative director guidance across systems, focused on FPS and Space Combat
  • Actively guide teams to reach target design goals offering mentoring and support where possible
  • Review and provide feedback on game mechanic designs and sequences
  • Manage the integration, iteration, tuning and playtesting
  • Match game quality goals and scope to complement schedule, staff and budget
  • Improve processes and practices to increase quality and accuracy
  • Design and own systems/mechanics from concept to completion
  • Research the game's subject matter
  • Collaborate with other departments, including Design, Art, and Engineering teams to create and refine gameplay mechanics & combat encounters
  • Prioritize well, meet deadlines and communicate progress with your lead and/or manager
  • Maintain knowledge of the global game market and applies knowledge to product

Requirements

  • Expertise working in Unreal Engine 4 with a portfolio of released titles
  • Deep passion for FPS shooters and space combat, Console or PC
  • Demonstrable experience creating gameplay (controls, weapon systems, player progression) in a 3D environment
  • Ability to conceptualize and communicate an engaging gameplay experience for buy-off
  • Technical ability to rapidly get your design concepts "on the screen"
  • Open to direction and feedback while meeting deadlines and managing multiple tasks
  • Strong communication skills

Please include work examples with application.


About 8 Circuit Studios

With 8 Circuit Studios, you would be joining a team that has big aspirations. Our dream is to create games that make you think. We are fired up to make our mark in the video game industry with our first PC, XBox, and PS4/5 title called Project Genesis.


We are currently self-funded and looking to accomplish the impossible: create live-service title that can compete with AAA games…but at a fraction of the cost in time, talent, and treasure. We expect a lot from each other, but we also have a passion for creating a supportive environment where you can learn as you go and level-up as much as you’d like.


We love to share knowledge and expertise.


In the not too distant future, we anticipate scaling our team up so now is the perfect time for you to consider applying as we prepare the team to go stratospheric.

Apply