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Lead Level Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ability to perform as an area or system lead designer. * Has thorough understanding of discipline ... The career-level designer performs the key role of design development, acting under the auspices of ...

Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Final role level--Designer, Project Designer, or Senior Designer--will be aligned with experience ... Lead overall design vision and strategy for projects, guiding teams from concept through key ...

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Final role level--Designer, Project Designer, or Senior Designer--will be aligned with experience ... Lead overall design vision and strategy for projects, guiding teams from concept through key ...

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Final role level--Designer, Project Designer, or Senior Designer--will be aligned with experience ... Lead overall design vision and strategy for projects, guiding teams from concept through key ...

Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$93K - $148K/yr

Final role level--Designer, Project Designer, or Senior Designer--will be aligned with experience ... Lead overall design vision and strategy for projects, guiding teams from concept through key ...

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Lead Level Designer information

See salary details

$65.5K

$108.8K

$175.5K

How much do lead level designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 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 is the role of a lead designer?

A lead designer is responsible for overseeing the creative vision and design process of a project, guiding a team of designers to ensure consistency and quality. They collaborate with developers, project managers, and stakeholders, often using tools like design software and project management platforms, to deliver cohesive and engaging experiences.

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 kind of jobs in media bring in $150,000 a year?

Lead Level Designers in the media industry, especially those working on AAA video games or high-budget projects, can earn $150,000 or more annually. Success often depends on experience, technical skills, and working in large studios or companies with competitive compensation packages.

What does a lead level designer do?

A lead level designer oversees the creation and development of game levels, ensuring they align with the overall game design and quality standards. They coordinate with artists, programmers, and other designers, often using tools like Unreal Engine or Unity, and provide guidance to junior team members. The role involves balancing gameplay, storytelling, and technical constraints to deliver engaging player experiences.

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.

More about Lead Level Designer jobs
Who are the top companies hiring for Lead Level Designer jobs? The top employers for Lead Level Designer jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Lead Level Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Level Designer jobs are:

Architectural Designer

Solvenow Inc.

Boise, ID

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Qualifications:

  • Has deep knowledge of required discipline subject areas as well as a high familiarity with other subject areas both within architecture and other disciplines.
  • Has deep knowledge of Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and other modeling and drafting programs necessary in the performance of the work required.
  • Has a solid understanding of how your work affects scope, schedule, and budget. Understands the importance of identifying scope creep early with the ability to elevate to project leadership.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify various options to solve technical problems, itemize pros and cons of each option, followed by the presentation of all options and findings to the design team and customer where appropriate.
  • Ability to determine the correct path forward by asking pertinent questions and requesting clarity.
  • Understands industry best practices.
  • Provides leadership to more junior staff while maintaining a positive attitude and outlook.
  • Ability to delegate work to junior staff under the direction of a supervisor or project architect.
  • Demonstrates working knowledge of codes and standards.
  • Ability to break a project down into required tasks, assign hours to each task, and provide work estimates to leadership on an as-needed basis.
  • Extensive modeling and drafting experience utilizing Revit and AutoCAD or other programs as necessary.
  • Extensive model review experience utilizing Navisworks and Bluebeam.
  • Ability to perform as an area or system lead designer.
  • Has thorough understanding of discipline requirements.

Qualifications:

  • Associates degree in Computer Drafting and Design, similar course, or on-the-job experience.
  • Experience in industrial building design and semiconductor or related high-tech type facilities.

Responsibilities:

In addition to the responsibilities of intermediate-level designers, you are responsible for the creation, coordination, and publishing of project deliverables, including drawings, details, models, and other documentation necessary. The career-level designer performs the key role of design development, acting under the auspices of more senior-level designers and engineers. It is the expectation that this level has developed the ability to act as a standalone entity able to take verbal direction and move the project forward. The career-level designer performs work with minimal supervision, reviews the work of entry- and intermediate-level designers as well as early-career architects for accuracy and completeness, and provides technical guidance related to their area of work to designers and architects of all levels where appropriate. At this level, creativity and the drive to solve problems while hitting deadlines is an expectation. Depending on project need, assists with design approach and potential solutions under the guidance of a project architect.

General Tasks Performed:

  • Plans and conducts work requiring judgment, creativity, and coordination in the layout and design of spaces, rooms, and systems.
  • Participates in code review and discussion.
  • Prepares deliverables for all phases of the project, including models, plans, elevations, sections, schedules, and details to support design and architectural leads for meetings, proposals, and construction documents.
  • Attends and participates in design status updates for their areas of responsibility in discipline meetings, both internal and external, as needed.
  • Reviews and adheres to specifications in developing and delivering quality designs. Provides specifications input and comments where appropriate.
  • Coordinates designs and deliverables and resolves conflicts with / between all disciplines and existing field conditions where required.
  • Performs field surveys of existing conditions.
  • Responds to design and coordination requests, conflict resolution requests, and information sharing requests in a timely manner.
  • Provides labor estimates for proposed tasks for self.
  • Reviewing and processing submittal documents.
  • Identifies incomplete work or gaps in own work and others and addresses them prior to review.
  • Employ and enforce project and client standards and procedures.

Comments/Special Instructions

  • Candidate must be local to the site.