Head of Sandbox Design - Halo Studios

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Halo franchise spans games, television series, novels, collectibles, apparel, and more. We are building the next generation of Halo experiences and are searching for strong Sandbox design talent to help elevate the core of Halo’s gameplay: weapons, abilities, combat systems, and the moment-to-moment feel that defines our universe. The Sandbox team is responsible for the tools players use and the ways they express mastery over time. Sandbox design shapes how players engage with weapons, systems, and spaces across multiplayer modes, maps, and progression experiences. If you want to craft iconic weapons, refine combat loops, tune systems at scale, and push Halo’s legacy forward with precision and innovation, this role is your arena. As the Head of Sandbox Design, you will lead the design vision and execution for Halo’s Sandbox. You will define how weapons, equipment, player movement, encounters, and systemic interactions come together to create responsive, satisfying gameplay. This includes ensuring Sandbox systems integrate cleanly with multiplayer modes, map design, and progression structures, enabling meaningful player choice, mastery, and long-term engagement. You will work closely with art, engineering, narrative, and gameplay teams to deliver a cohesive, polished Sandbox that supports Halo’s evolving multiplayer ecosystem. Roles at our studio are flexible, and you can work from home up to two days a week. If you want to raise the gameplay bar for one of the most iconic franchises in entertainment and shape the future of Halo’s combat experience, we want to hear from you. Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and organization to achieve more. We work with a growth mindset, take accountability for our craft, and foster an inclusive environment where teams can do their best work.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Data Science, Game Design, or related field AND 6+ years experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field
OR Associate's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Game Design, or related field AND 8+ years experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field
OR equivalent experience.
Have shipped at least 2 title released to consumers/shipped game.
5+ years people management experience.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree AND 8+ years of experience in gameplay or systems design.
Shipped multiple high-quality titles with significant Sandbox or combat system ownership.
Deep experience with tuning spreadsheets, telemetric analysis, and iterative live-service balancing.
Experience shipping at least one high-quality game in a Sandbox, gameplay systems, or combat design role.
Demonstrated ability to design, tune, and ship weapons, abilities, or combat systems at scale.
Hands-on fluency with modern game engines and prototyping tools.
Ability to meet Microsoft security screening requirements, including the Microsoft Cloud Background Check.
Strong cross-discipline instincts across animation, audio, VFX, engineering, and UX.
Experience with Unreal Engine tools.
Proven ability to drive clarity, decision-making, and quality without direct authority.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end design of Halo’s Sandbox, including weapons, equipment, movement, combat systems, damage models, and player expression tools.
Define and communicate clear goals for Sandbox quality, responsiveness, feel, and systemic depth across multiplayer experiences.
Partner with gameplay engineering and animation to deliver tight, reliable combat interactions that meet Halo’s bar for clarity and fidelity.
Collaborate closely with multiplayer leadership to ensure Sandbox systems support multiplayer modes, map flow, power distribution, and progression structures.
Ensure Sandbox mechanics reinforce meaningful player choice, mastery, and progression without compromising competitive clarity or balance.
Build and maintain detailed design specs, tuning sheets, prototypes, and documentation that articulate intent and guide implementation.
Drive iteration through hands-on playtesting, data review, and tuning; identify issues early and propose clear solutions.
Track industry trends and emerging mechanics; identify opportunities to modernize Halo’s multiplayer Sandbox while preserving its core identity.
Provide clear feedback across art, audio, animation, and FX to ensure every Sandbox element lands with impact and clarity.
Contribute to a culture of high standards, craftsmanship, and accountability within the gameplay org.
Embody and model our studio values