Lead Systems Designer (Economy and Engagement Focus)

thatgamecompany•Los Angeles, CA

27d•Remote

About The Position

We are a small studio dedicated to crafting unique and high-quality interactive experiences, and we are looking for a talented Lead Systems Designer to guide and shape the holistic design of our game economy, core features, and player engagement. You’ll combine leadership with direct hands-on contributions, helping to refine the structure and our gameplay experiences while managing a small team of designers. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of systems thinking, live game design, and practical implementation with an intense player focus — someone who can lead a feature from concept to live operations as well as refine existing systems.

Requirements

Extensive experience with live games and economy design
Strong background in systems design, meta systems, and player progression
Experience balancing game systems based on player feedback and analytics
Ability to understand complex variable-driven relationships and how to use them to create simple, relatable gameplay
Experience working in 3D engines (Unity, Unreal, or similar)
Code literacy to read and understand scripts and do minor tweaks

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in scripting languages or light programming (e.g., C#, C++, or visual scripting)
Seek adventure and uncertainty in exploring experimental and risky game concept
Familiarity with rapid iteration and data-informed design decisions
Experience integrating monetization thoughtfully within player-centric systems
Have a desire to create meaningful, enriching experiences that touch and inspire players
A strong desire to work directly with data scientists to create a deep understanding of players that helps everyone create better player experiences

Responsibilities

Lead the design and evolution of core systems such as in-game economies (large and small), progression, rewards, and feature loops that drive long-term engagement
Design and implement interactive features and gameplay patterns with a focus on simplicity and relatability
Collaborate across disciplines — with engineering, art, and production — to ensure designs are holistic, feasible, and aligned with creative goals
Analyze player data and behavior to tune economies and experiences that inspire players to return for years to come
Mentor and manage a small number of designers, helping them grow and thrive in a collaborative environment
Drive and evangelize best practices in systems design, economy balancing, and live feature iteration
Help improve and extend internal design tools and pipelines to empower the full design team

Benefits

Paid Time Off, Holidays, and Two Weeks Winter Break
Employees and their dependents get medical, dental, and vision coverage, regardless of their level, tenure, or position within the company. Moreover, these benefits start on the first day of the job—there’s no waiting period before they kick in.
Pet Insurance for those who need it too.
Compassionate leave for employees who needs to take care of their family members
Pre-tax wellness stipend
Pre-tax work from home stipend
Access our savings plan (401K program) with company match
Mental health resources including Headspace membership and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Discount portal for everyday goods and services
Employee inclusive and diversity initiatives such as Grow Together + FDX (First Day eXperience)
Support for personal professional development