Hardsuit Labs

Title: Level / Game Designer - Senior Location: Arizona (AZ), Connecticut (CT), Florida (FL), lowa (IA), Illinois (IL), Massachusetts (MA), Maine (ME), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), New Hampshire (NH), Nevada (NV), Ohio (OH), Oregon (OR), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Virginia (VA), Wisconsin (WI), Montana (MT), Alabama (AL), Georgia (GA), Indiana (IN), Louisiana (LA), North Carolina (NC), New Jersey (NJ), Oklahoma (OK), Washington (WA) and Utah (UT). Remote Full-time Job Description: As part of Keywords Studios, we are gifted with the opportunity to partner with a variety of studios across the globe on all types of games and genres. If the idea of bringing your skills to bear upon an ever-changing landscape of games in collaboration with teams all over the world sounds exciting to you...well, continue reading my friend. WHAT YOU’LL DO - Act as a primary design point of contact for external partner studios, driving collaborative efforts and ensuring alignment of vision and execution across distributed teams - Drive the conceptualization, documentation, and macro-level vision of levels, spaces, missions, and gameplay experiences - Drive the development and iteration of pipelines, processes, and tools to elevate the efficiency and quality of the entire design team - Drive cross-functional strike teams to achieve end-user experience goals, proactively identifying and resolving project-wide blockers - Lead by example in grey-boxing, pacing, layout beats, scripting, encounters, and gameplay implementation, setting the gold standard for the studio - Spearhead testing, debugging, level performance, streaming, and optimization strategies - Drive the vision for environmental storytelling, world building, tone, setting, and art propping - Act as a champion for the discipline, actively accountable for driving results and owning specific project mandates - Be a foundational source of knowledge, providing high-level mentorship to Associate and Core designers to foster a culture of excellence WHAT YOU’LL BRING - 8+ years of professional game development experience, demonstrating a consistent track record of driving results, iterating on process, and owning major game features and experiences - Experience working on at least 3 shipped titles, with a proven ability in driving macro-level vision, establishing pipelines, and guiding cross-functional teams from concept to final release - Exceptional ability to tackle highly complex, cross-discipline problems where no established pipeline exists, turning ambiguity into actionable strategies - Mastery of virtual spaces, pacing, flow, immersion, player motivation, and aesthetics - Proven leadership in collaborating across disciplines in both internal and external teams - Excellent active communication skills, capable of pitching, defending, and driving consensus on high-level design decisions - Expert understanding of technical concepts, logic, logic flow, and systemic game design - Expert mastery of Unreal Engine and its development environment, with a track record of pushing the engine's capabilities NICE TO HAVE - AAA experience. - While Unreal is our primary focus, experience with Unity or proprietary custom engines is a strong plus. - Experience developing on console. - At least one shipped title. Job Details - Job Title: Level Designer - Principal - Reports to: Director of Design - Department: Design - Work Location: Fully Remote - Employment status: Full Time - FLSA: Salaried, Exempt - Benefits: Generous PTO, Health, Dental, & Vision coverage; Healthcare and Daycare FSAs, 401k with company match; Life and Disability insurance, Technology Stipend, Paid Sick leave, commuter benefits, paid company holidays and office closures This position is currently open to candidates residing in the following U.S. states only: Arizona (AZ), Connecticut (CT), Florida (FL), lowa (IA), Illinois (IL), Massachusetts (MA), Maine (ME), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), New Hampshire (NH), Nevada (NV), Ohio (OH), Oregon (OR), South Carolina (SC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Virginia (VA), Wisconsin (WI), Montana (MT), Alabama (AL), Georgia (GA), Indiana (IN), Louisiana (LA), North Carolina (NC), New Jersey (NJ), Oklahoma (OK), Washington (WA) and Utah (UT). Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and reside in one of the eligible states listed above. Salary Range: $80,000 to $120,000 USD Primary working language: English ABOUT HARDSUIT LABS We are an independent game developer founded in 2015 in Seattle, Washington. We believe that great games can only be built with great people and that great people thrive and do their best work in a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment that values them. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace and building equity throughout the organization. At Hardsuit Labs, we are respectful and inclusive, we are problem solvers and efficiency champions, we are curious and collaborative, we are flexible and adaptable, and most of all, we are always looking to deliver excellence in the experiences and products that we craft! As a studio, we have built a reputation as an Unreal Engine-focused development house, working in a multitude of genres and games, from support work and engagement for hire to the development of original in-house projects. We have long standing relationships with some of the largest gaming companies in the industry and are certified developers across all major platforms. Hardsuit Labs is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Hardsuit Labs is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at HR@Hardsuitlabs.com Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavor to create a workplace which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees. PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY By providing your information in this application, you understand that we will collect and process your information in accordance with our Applicant Privacy Notice. For more information, please see our Applicant Privacy Notice at  https://www.keywordsstudios.com/en/applicant-privacy-notice. Role Information: EN Studio: Hardsuit Labs Location: Americas Area of Work: Game Development Service: Create Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent Working Pattern: Remote

• Act as a primary design point of contact for external partner studios • Drive the conceptualization, documentation, and macro-level vision of levels and gameplay experiences • Drive the development and iteration of pipelines, processes, and tools • Drive cross-functional strike teams to achieve end-user experience goals • Lead by example in grey-boxing, pacing, layout beats, scripting, and gameplay implementation • Spearhead testing, debugging, level performance, streaming, and optimization strategies • Drive the vision for environmental storytelling, world building, tone, setting, and art propping • Act as a champion for the discipline and own specific project mandates • Provide high-level mentorship to Associate and Core designers

Role Description As part of Keywords Studios, we are gifted with the opportunity to partner with a variety of studios across the globe on all types of games and genres. If the idea of bringing your skills to bear upon an ever-changing landscape of games in collaboration with teams all over the world sounds exciting to you...well, continue reading my friend. - Act as a primary design point of contact for external partner studios, driving collaborative efforts and ensuring alignment of vision and execution across distributed teams. - Drive the conceptualization, documentation, and macro-level vision of levels, spaces, missions, and gameplay experiences. - Drive the development and iteration of pipelines, processes, and tools to elevate the efficiency and quality of the entire design team. - Drive cross-functional strike teams to achieve end-user experience goals, proactively identifying and resolving project-wide blockers. - Lead by example in grey-boxing, pacing, layout beats, scripting, encounters, and gameplay implementation, setting the gold standard for the studio. - Spearhead testing, debugging, level performance, streaming, and optimization strategies. - Drive the vision for environmental storytelling, world building, tone, setting, and art propping. - Act as a champion for the discipline, actively accountable for driving results and owning specific project mandates. - Be a foundational source of knowledge, providing high-level mentorship to Associate and Core designers to foster a culture of excellence. Qualifications - 8+ years of professional game development experience, demonstrating a consistent track record of driving results, iterating on process, and owning major game features and experiences. - Experience working on at least 3 shipped titles, with a proven ability in driving macro-level vision, establishing pipelines, and guiding cross-functional teams from concept to final release. - Exceptional ability to tackle highly complex, cross-discipline problems where no established pipeline exists, turning ambiguity into actionable strategies. - Mastery of virtual spaces, pacing, flow, immersion, player motivation, and aesthetics. - Proven leadership in collaborating across disciplines in both internal and external teams. - Excellent active communication skills, capable of pitching, defending, and driving consensus on high-level design decisions. - Expert understanding of technical concepts, logic, logic flow, and systemic game design. - Expert mastery of Unreal Engine and its development environment, with a track record of pushing the engine's capabilities. Requirements - NICE TO HAVE: AAA experience. - While Unreal is our primary focus, experience with Unity or proprietary custom engines is a strong plus. - Experience developing on console. - At least one shipped title. Benefits - Generous PTO - Health, Dental, & Vision coverage - Healthcare and Daycare FSAs - 401k with company match - Life and Disability insurance - Technology Stipend - Paid Sick leave - Commuter benefits - Paid company holidays and office closures Company Description We are an independent game developer founded in 2015 in Seattle, Washington. We believe that great games can only be built with great people and that great people thrive and do their best work in a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment that values them. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace and building equity throughout the organization. - At Hardsuit Labs, we are respectful and inclusive, we are problem solvers and efficiency champions, we are curious and collaborative, we are flexible and adaptable, and most of all, we are always looking to deliver excellence in the experiences and products that we craft! - As a studio, we have built a reputation as an Unreal Engine-focused development house, working in a multitude of genres and games, from support work and engagement for hire to the development of original in-house projects. - We have long standing relationships with some of the largest gaming companies in the industry and are certified developers across all major platforms.

• Develop and maintain features across various subsystems, such as AI, UI, Physics, Character, Graphics, Engine and Tools. • Design, author, and maintain robust and highly optimized systems that meet all design, technical and schedule requirements. • Work closely with QA and technical leadership to ensure the stability and accuracy of systems by identifying, communicating and resolving defects. • Author, review and provide feedback on technical and end-user documentation of systems. • Collaborate with Technical Leadership and other Programmers to help establish overall technical design and architecture. • Work with minimal guidance on medium-impact tasks or independently on low-risk tasks. • Provide guidance and informal supervision to more junior staff. • Help team members set up tools and troubleshoot minor tools issues and workflow blockers.

• Develop and maintain features across various subsystems, such as AI, UI, Physics, Character, Graphics, Engine and Tools. • Design, author, and maintain robust and highly optimized systems that meet all design, technical and schedule requirements. • Work closely with QA and technical leadership to ensure the stability and accuracy of systems by identifying, communicating and resolving defects. • Author, review and provide feedback on technical and end-user documentation of systems. • Collaborate with Technical Leadership and other Programmers to help establish overall technical design and architecture. • Work with minimal guidance on medium-impact tasks or independently on low-risk tasks. • Provide guidance and informal supervision to more junior staff. • Help team members set up tools and troubleshoot minor tools issues and workflow blockers.

ABOUT HARDSUIT LABS  Founded in 2015 by industry veterans Andy Kipling and Russell Nelson, we are a Seattle based game developer and co-dev studio who were recently acquired by Keywords Studios in 2023. We believe that great games can only be built with great people and that great people thrive and do their best work in a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment that values them. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace and building equity throughout the organization. At Hardsuit Labs, we are respectful and inclusive, we are problem solvers and efficiency champions, we are curious and collaborative, we are flexible and adaptable and most of all we are always looking to deliver excellence in the experiences and products that we craft!  As a studio we have built a reputation as an Unreal Engine focused development house, working in a multitude of genres and games, from support work and work for hire to original development. We have long-standing relationships with some of the largest gaming companies in the industry and are a certified developer across all major platforms.  WHAT YOU’LL DO  Level Design | Mission Design | Gameplay Design  As part of Keywords Studios, we are gifted with the opportunity to partner with a variety of studios across the globe on all types of games and genres. If the idea of bringing your skills to bear upon an ever-changing landscape of games in collaboration with teams all over the world sounds exciting to you...well, continue reading my friend.  - Every partnership we engage with will bring a new set of specific needs, but the skills you will be flexing include:  - Collaborate with internal and external teams/disciplines to achieve end-user experience goals - Conceptualization, documentation and ideation of levels, spaces, missions, and gameplay experiences  - Work with a variety of technologies, systems, and platforms  - Grey-boxing, pacing, layout beats, scripting, encounters, gameplay implementation  - Testing, debugging, level performance, streaming, and optimization  - Environmental storytelling, world building, tone, setting, art propping  - Manage and maintain work and documentation  - Actively contribute to the improvement of pipelines and the team around you  - Be a source of knowledge and mentorship to others  ______________________________________________________ À PROPOS HARDSUIT LABS  Fondée en 2015 par les vétérans de l’industrie Andy Kipling et Russell Nelson, nous sommes un studio de développement de jeux et de codéveloppement basé à Seattle, récemment acquis par Keywords Studios en 2023. Nous croyons que les jeux exceptionnels ne peuvent être créés qu’avec d’excellentes personnes et que ces dernières peuvent s’épanouir et se dépasser dans un environnement de travail sain, accueillant et positif qui les valorise. Nous croyons en un milieu de travail diversifié et inclusif, et en la promotion de l’équité à travers l’organisation. Chez Hardsuit Labs, nous sommes respectueux et inclusifs; nous sommes des solutionnistes de problèmes et des champions de l’efficacité; nous sommes curieux et collaboratifs; nous sommes flexibles et versatiles; et surtout, nous cherchons constamment à atteindre l’excellence dans les expériences et les produits que nous façonnons!  En tant que studio, nous avons bâti une réputation en tant que boîte de développement axée sur Unreal Engine, travaillant dans une multitude de genres et de jeux, en passant de l’assistance à la prestation de services, au développement de projets originaux. Nous entretenons des relations de longue date avec certaines des plus grandes compagnies de jeux vidéo du secteur et sommes un développeur certifié sur toutes les principales plateformes.  CE QUE VOUS FEREZ  Conception de niveaux | Conception de missions | Conception de mécaniques de jeu  Faisant partie de Keywords Studios, nous avons le privilège de collaborer avec une variété de studios à travers le monde sur tous les types de jeux et de genres. Si vous êtes stimulé(e) par l’idée de mettre vos compétences au profit d’un paysage vidéoludique en constante évolution, tout en collaborant avec des équipes aux quatre coins du monde... eh bien! continuez votre lecture.  - Chaque partenariat que nous entreprenons apporte son lot de besoins spécifiques, mais les compétences que vous serez appelé(e) à mettre à profit incluent :  - collaborer avec les équipes/disciplines internes et externes pour atteindre les objectifs liés à l’expérience utilisateur; - conceptualisation, documentation et idéation des niveaux, des espaces, des missions et des expériences de jeu;  - travailler avec une variété de technologies, de systèmes et de plateformes;  - maquettage, rythme, moments clés du tracé, scriptage, combats et intégration des mécaniques de jeu;  - test, débogage, performance des niveaux, diffusion en continu et optimisation;  - narration environnementale, création d’univers, ton, décor, accessoires artistiques;  - gérer et maintenir le travail et la documentation;  - contribuer activement à l’amélioration des pipelines et de l’équipe qui vous entoure;  - être une source de connaissances et de mentorat pour les autres.

• Collaborate with internal and external teams/disciplines to achieve end-user experience goals • Conceptualization, documentation and ideation of levels, spaces, missions, and gameplay experiences • Work with a variety of technologies, systems, and platforms • Grey-boxing, pacing, layout beats, scripting, encounters, gameplay implementation • Testing, debugging, level performance, streaming, and optimization • Environmental storytelling, world building, tone, setting, art propping • Manage and maintain work and documentation • Actively contribute to the improvement of pipelines and the team around you • Be a source of knowledge and mentorship to others

ABOUT HARDSUIT LABS  Founded in 2015 by industry veterans Andy Kipling and Russell Nelson, we are a Seattle based game developer and co-dev studio who were recently acquired by Keywords Studios in 2023. We believe that great games can only be built with great people and that great people thrive and do their best work in a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment that values them. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace and building equity throughout the organization. At Hardsuit Labs, we are respectful and inclusive, we are problem solvers and efficiency champions, we are curious and collaborative, we are flexible and adaptable and most of all we are always looking to deliver excellence in the experiences and products that we craft!  As a studio we have built a reputation as an Unreal Engine focused development house, working in a multitude of genres and games, from support work and work for hire to original development. We have long-standing relationships with some of the largest gaming companies in the industry and are a certified developer across all major platforms.  WHAT YOU’LL DO  Level Design | Mission Design | Gameplay Design  As part of Keywords Studios, we are gifted with the opportunity to partner with a variety of studios across the globe on all types of games and genres. If the idea of bringing your skills to bear upon an ever-changing landscape of games in collaboration with teams all over the world sounds exciting to you...well, continue reading my friend.  - Every partnership we engage with will bring a new set of specific needs, but the skills you will be flexing include:  - Collaborate with internal and external teams/disciplines to achieve end-user experience goals - Conceptualization, documentation and ideation of levels, spaces, missions, and gameplay experiences  - Work with a variety of technologies, systems, and platforms  - Grey-boxing, pacing, layout beats, scripting, encounters, gameplay implementation  - Testing, debugging, level performance, streaming, and optimization  - Environmental storytelling, world building, tone, setting, art propping  - Manage and maintain work and documentation  - Actively contribute to the improvement of pipelines and the team around you  - Be a source of knowledge and mentorship to others

ABOUT HARDSUIT LABS  Founded in 2015 by industry veterans Andy Kipling and Russell Nelson, we are a Seattle based game developer and co-dev studio who were recently acquired by Keywords Studios in 2023. We believe that great games can only be built with great people and that great people thrive and do their best work in a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment that values them. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace and building equity throughout the organization. At Hardsuit Labs, we are respectful and inclusive, we are problem solvers and efficiency champions, we are curious and collaborative, we are flexible and adaptable and most of all we are always looking to deliver excellence in the experiences and products that we craft!  As a studio we have built a reputation as an Unreal Engine focused development house, working in a multitude of genres and games, from support work and work for hire to original development. We have long-standing relationships with some of the largest gaming companies in the industry and are a certified developer across all major platforms.  WHAT YOU’LL DO  Level Design | Mission Design | Gameplay Design  As part of Keywords Studios, we are gifted with the opportunity to partner with a variety of studios across the globe on all types of games and genres. If the idea of bringing your skills to bear upon an ever-changing landscape of games in collaboration with teams all over the world sounds exciting to you...well, continue reading my friend.  - Every partnership we engage with will bring a new set of specific needs, but the skills you will be flexing include:  - Collaborate with internal and external teams/disciplines to achieve end-user experience goals - Conceptualization, documentation and ideation of levels, spaces, missions, and gameplay experiences  - Work with a variety of technologies, systems, and platforms  - Grey-boxing, pacing, layout beats, scripting, encounters, gameplay implementation  - Testing, debugging, level performance, streaming, and optimization  - Environmental storytelling, world building, tone, setting, art propping  - Manage and maintain work and documentation  - Actively contribute to the improvement of pipelines and the team around you  - Be a source of knowledge and mentorship to others