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Lead Level Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Riot Games

Level Design Lead - VALORANT

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

You'll lead a small, talented team of level designers while remaining deeply connected to the craft-jumping into the editor, guiding design decisions, and helping ship meaningful updates and reworks ...

WSP

Lead Telecommunications Designer

Troy, NY

... search for a Telecom Lead Designer to support mission critical and highperformance building ... Meet required schedules while maintaining a high level of design quality and consistency. Project ...

Insomniac Games

OR

Insomniac is looking for a new Lead Systems Designer. This role is accountable for the quality and ... Intermediateknowledge and experience with level editing tools and scripting (Unreal Engine, Unity ...

Riot Games

Level Design Lead - VALORANT

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

You'll lead a small, talented team of level designers while remaining deeply connected to the craft-jumping into the editor, guiding design decisions, and helping ship meaningful updates and reworks ...

WSP

Lead Telecommunications Designer

Troy, NY · On-site

... search for a Telecom Lead Designer to support mission critical and highperformance building ... Meet required schedules while maintaining a high level of design quality and consistency. Project ...

Knights of the Attic

Duct Designer Team Lead

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$30 - $36/hr

Duct Designer Team Lead Company: Knights of the Attic, LLC? Type: Full-Time? Pay: Hourly rate ($30-$36/hr based on experience)? Why Join Knights of the Attic? We're Arizona's leading experts in duct ...

Templar Media

Lead Game Designer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

Work closely with the Lead Level Designer to manage the creation of levels * Work with all ... departments on the scheduling and integration of the game design, as well as game feature ...

HBK Engineering, LLC

Design Lead

Norristown, PA · On-site

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of designers and engineers to develop design packages in ... Work independently and with junior or intermediate level design team personnel and provide regular ...

HBK Engineering, LLC

Design Lead

Norristown, PA · On-site +1

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of designers and engineers to develop design packages in ... Work independently and with junior or intermediate level design team personnel and provide regular ...

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All JobsLead Level Designer Jobs

Lead Level Designer information

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$65.5K

$108.8K

$175.5K

How much do lead level designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead level designer in the United States is $108,846.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $157,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Lead Level Designer position, and why are they important?

A Lead Level Designer typically requires extensive experience in level design, strong understanding of game design principles, and proficiency with industry-standard game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity, often supported by a relevant degree. Advanced skills in 3D modeling tools, scripting languages, and project management software are also highly beneficial. Leadership, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams set top performers apart. These abilities are crucial to ensuring cohesive, engaging gameplay experiences and successful project delivery in a fast-paced creative environment.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Lead Level Designer?

As a Lead Level Designer, your daily responsibilities often include overseeing the creation and refinement of game levels, providing guidance and feedback to junior designers, and coordinating closely with artists, programmers, and other departments. You’ll review level layouts, prototype new gameplay ideas, and help establish best practices and documentation to maintain consistency and quality throughout the game's development. Additionally, you are responsible for identifying and solving design challenges, conducting playtests, and making data-driven adjustments to improve player experience. This hands-on and collaborative role is central to shaping the game’s overall vision and ensuring the team meets project milestones.

What is a Lead Level Designer job?

A Lead Level Designer is responsible for overseeing the creation of engaging and well-structured game levels. They collaborate with designers, artists, and programmers to ensure levels support gameplay mechanics and narrative goals. This role involves managing a team, providing feedback, and maintaining design consistency across the project. Additionally, they help refine level layouts, pacing, and player experience through iterative testing and adjustments. Strong communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills are essential for success in this position.

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Lead Level Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Level Designer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,846 per year, or $52.3 per hour.
Level Design Lead - VALORANT

Level Design Lead - VALORANT

Riot Games

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Riot Games is seeking a Level Design Lead for VALORANT, a character-driven tactical shooter. The role involves defining the design of VALORANT’s maps, leading a team of level designers, and ensuring the tactical gameplay is enhanced through innovative map design and updates.
Responsibilities:
• Set and evolve the design vision for VALORANT maps, ensuring they uphold the game’s tactical DNA while pushing the genre forward
• Lead both live map updates and major reworks, building on successes like Breeze and shaping how players engage with maps over time
• Drive innovation on new maps, exploring new ideas while protecting competitive integrity
• Manage, mentor, and grow a team of level designers, leveling up their craft through hands-on feedback, coaching, and example
• Partner closely with Map Art, Lighting, and Production, blending gameplay clarity with visual quality and shipping reliably at high polish
• Guide projects from early concept through final release, balancing player value, development cost, and long-term sustainability
• Influence senior leadership on product direction, strategy, and priorities related to maps and gameplay experiences
• Anticipate player needs across platforms, understanding how different audiences engage with competitive shooters
• Champion player empathy, using data, feedback, and intuition to evolve maps in ways that resonate with the community
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5+ years experience in a Level Design role; experience as a game design owner of multiple large projects in parallel with successful delivery
• 1+ years people management experience; experience with mentorship of other designers leading to a promotion or substantial positive improvements in their work
• Experience creating systemic change to a design team’s process or principles to improve output significantly across the team
• Experience leading cross-discipline teams to deliver on design goals
• Experience communicating and expressing complex and nuanced designs in simple ways
• Leadership experience resolving conflict, and when needed offering difficult feedback with respect
Preferred:
• Experience working as a developer on an FPS title.
• Strong understanding of Tactical FPS principles and can apply them effectively
• Robust understanding of the FPS market and player motivations and behaviors
• Can quickly produce a wide breadth of mechanics solutions, and generate and identify an excellent solution
• Experience developing on multiple platforms
Company:
Riot Games is a global company that develops online games. Founded in 2006, the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.
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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