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Open World Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Absurd Ventures

Lead Open World Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1

$150K - $175K/yr

Summary As the Lead Open World Designer, you will be the primary vision holder for the open world, its systems, and content. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a best-in-class open ...

Absurd Ventures

Lead Open World Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Summary As the Lead Open World Designer, you will be the primary vision holder for the open world, its systems, and content. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a best-in-class open ...

Absurd Ventures

Mission Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1

$100K - $115K/yr

Own implementation of engaging, diverse, innovative missions within a story-driven, open-world game. * Work with the Lead Mission Designer to develop best practices and robust solutions for faster ...

Absurd Ventures

Mission Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$100K - $115K/yr

Own implementation of engaging, diverse, innovative missions within a story-driven, open-world game. * Work with the Lead Mission Designer to develop best practices and robust solutions for faster ...

Warnerbros

Senior Designer, Gameplay

$69K - $128K/yr

Join the team behind the blockbuster open world, action RPG Hogwarts Legacy as we create what's next! W B Games Avalanche - Senior Designer, Gameplay Avalanche Software, a division of Warner Brothers ...

Absurd Ventures

Principal Sound Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

... innovative open world game. As a Principal, your mission is to use your creative and technical ... Collaborate with engineers and fellow sound designers to build, implement, and scale audio ...

Absurd Ventures

Principal Sound Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

... innovative open world game. As a Principal, your mission is to use your creative and technical ... Collaborate with engineers and fellow sound designers to build, implement, and scale audio ...

Assa Abloy

Mechanical Designer

New Haven, CT · On-site

Product Design - Conceptual designs using 3D modeling and 2D drawing development * Work closely ... more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces - physical and virtual - safer, more ...

Traka (Assa Abloy)

Mechanical Designer

New Haven, CT · On-site

Product Design - Conceptual designs using 3D modeling and 2D drawing development * Work closely ... more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces - physical and virtual - safer, more ...

ASSA ABLOY

Mechanical Designer

New Haven, CT · On-site

Product Design - Conceptual designs using 3D modeling and 2D drawing development * Work closely ... more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces - physical and virtual - safer, more ...

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Open World Designer information

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$83.1K

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How much do open world designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for open world designer in the United States is $83,148.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What cities are hiring for Open World Designer jobs?

Cities with the most Open World Designer job openings:

What states have the most Open World Designer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Open World Designer jobs include:

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Infographic showing various Open World Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,148 per year, or $40 per hour.

Lead Open World Designer

Santa Monica, CA • On-site, Remote

Absurd Ventures
See more jobs at Absurd Venturesexternal

$150K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

 Summary  

As the Lead Open World Designer, you will be the primary vision holder for the open world, its systems, and content. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a best-in-class open-world experience rich with characters, encounters, side missions, puzzles, secrets, discoverables, collectables, and more.  

Core Responsibilities  

  • Drive the design and implementation of engaging, immersive, interactive open-world content that encourages exploration and emphasizes a mix of fun, varied gameplay, worldbuilding and storytelling.  
  • Work closely with the narrative team to develop ideas for new content.  
  • Develop and execute the design vision and strategy, ensuring that open-world content aligns with the game's overall narrative, thematic, and player experience goals.   
  • Leverage the game's core systems and mechanics to create dynamic and unpredictable open-world experiences that adapt to player choices and actions.   
  • Continuously seek opportunities to innovate, challenge conventions, and push the boundaries of open-world design.   
  • Rally designers, engineers, animators, artists, and external co-dev partners to deliver playable progress at regular intervals as part of a rapid iterative process.  
  • Incorporate feedback from peers, playtests, and senior leadership to refine and pivot as the game demands.  
  • Go beyond documentation and management to lead from the trenches, with hands-on contributions to the playable experience.  
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and iteration.  

Core Qualifications  

  • 5 or more years of experience in open-world design.  
  • Prior experience as a Lead Designer.  
  • Knack and passion for blurring the lines between AI, systems, mechanics and scripted content to create deep, layered worlds in which stories can unfold organically through exploration and gameplay.  
  • Strong understanding of population and encounter design and open-world content balancing.   
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.   
  • Innovative thinker with creative problem-solving skills who thrives in a collaborative team environment. 

Plus If... 

  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams  
  • Experience in UE4 or UE5 
  • Experience working with co-development partners 

Description   

  • Full time job with benefits   
  •  Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA 
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeways.  
     

The base pay range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity. 

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