Lead Systems Designer

Kabam • Vancouver, BC

2d • CA$115,000 - CA$140,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The key function of the Lead Systems Designer is to manage and lead the Systems and Missions design team. They lead the execution of a well-defined vision for creating an effective set of system rules, features, and regular content that are able to sustain and engage users. This role is a full-time, on-site position based 5 days a week at our Downtown Vancouver studio.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent working experience with an emphasis on game design.
• 7+ years of game design experience on commercially successful properties.
• Experience designing game systems, understanding player psychology, and retention strategies.
• Fluent in analyzing data, industry trends, interpreting insights, and using them to optimize in-game systems and mechanics.
• Free to Play experience in the mobile market, ideally in RPGs or ARPGs.
• Experience working on a Live Operated title.
• Experience collaborating with cross-discipline teams to implement large game features.
• Rock-solid organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, including documentation and presentation.
• Familiarity with Google suite - Words, Sheets, Slides, etc.
• A strong desire to make the best games in the world alongside others that share your motivation.

Nice To Haves

• Former experience managing game designers, schedules, roadmaps, and/or KPIs is strongly desired.
• Project and/or gameplay content pipeline management experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations and workflow of the systems and missions design team.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members to foster professional growth and development.
• Allocate tasks and responsibilities based on individual strengths and expertise.
• Effectively communicate complex design concepts to both technical and non-technical team members.
• Work with your team members to set goals and foster their career growth.
• Coordinate with the broader leadership team to improve the operational health of the Systems and Missions Design team.
• Understand the game's overarching vision and goals, and ensure systems rules and parameters are in line with them.
• Accountable for leading multiple large system initiatives, working with stakeholders to drive them to completion.
• Accountable for the roadmapping and execution of both cyclical and standalone gameplay content for our live game.
• Views all game systems holistically with a long-term lens toward overall product vision.
• Work with leadership to identify systemic risks and opportunities within the game, and create a plan to resolve them.
• Work closely with Engineers, UI/UX artists, Data, QA, LiveOps, and other Design sub-disciplines to design and implement engaging game systems and gameplay content.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure the game’s systems are healthy and working towards the overall project goals.
• Predicting systems risks early and driving the implementation of solutions.
• Continuously iterate and balance the game systems to meet desired outcomes.
• Work with the team to identify opportunities for improving player experiences through well-designed game systems and gameplay content.
• Leverage data and feedback to enhance and innovate upon existing systems.
• Introduce new and innovative gameplay mechanics to enhance the gameplay experience.
• Direct and mentor Systems and Missions Designers on best practices.
• Share knowledge and experience with junior team members and other teams.

Benefits

• Extended Health Coverage: effective day one, no waiting period! Our benefits cover health, dental, life, disability, and extended paramedical services such as vision care, mental health practitioners, massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and much more.
• DEIB Benefits: DEIB is important to us and to our people - that’s why our benefits include gender-affirming care, fertility care, and other hormonal treatments and drugs.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: our benefits are built on a flex credit model, so you’re able to choose the coverage levels that are right for you, and allocate the rest to a group RRSP/TFSA, Health Spending account, and/or Personal Spending Account.
• RRSP Matching: everyone retires eventually, and we help our people save for their futures with a contribution matching program once you reach 90 days with us.
• Commuter Benefit: we believe in the power of in-person collaboration, and want to support you in making it work for you! We provide a flexible, monthly cash allowance to help cover the costs of transit, parking, or even personal logistics like childcare and pet care.
• PTO and Parental Leave: we offer paid parental leave, flexible paid time off, paid time off for volunteering, sick leave, and holiday closures.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program: this program provides crisis management support, immediate mental health care, and generalized support for emotional, mental, and financial well-being.
• Telus Virtual Health: we provide increased access to remote healthcare providers for prescription refills or referrals from the comfort of your home.
• Learning and growth: We encourage people to grow both personally and professionally, and support this through regular lunch & learns and an education stipend.
• Pay transparency: We share with employees the pay range their role falls within and clear career maps to determine how they can grow within their role or level-up to a promotion.
• Cool spaces: Our offices are in Vancouver, Montreal, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Whether it’s summers on the rooftop patio in Downtown Vancouver, or watching the fireworks in Montreal’s South Shore - we want our people to feel like their time spent in office is worthwhile!
• Giving back: Kabammers have a dedicated paid day off every year to volunteer to a cause close to their hearts. Some teams even band together for group volunteer days off-site!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree