Principal Designer, Combat

Atomic Arcade, a video game development studio located in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, is seeking a Principal Designer to help build an outstanding AAA, 3rd Person Action/Adventure game. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 7 years of game development experience and significant contribution to multiple shipped AAA titles, as well as previous experience as a Combat Designer on a AAA game. The Principal Designer will be responsible for defining, implementing, and driving the design principles to build a whole new combat space, as well as collaborating with fellow Gameplay Designers to define and tweak game mechanics.

• Define, implement and drive the design principles to build a whole new combat space.
• Help to set the direction for extensible combat systems and player mastery.
• Work closely with the Leadership Team to achieve experience goals.
• Build compelling second-to-second gameplay experiences.
• Help balance combat-related systems such as player leveling and experience, weapons, and damage.
• Collaboratively plan, design, and evaluate top notch abilities' gameplay.
• Collaborate with fellow Gameplay Designers to define and tweak game mechanics.
• Partner with other development teams to bring designs to life in-game.
• Mentor designers and help them grow in their careers.

• Minimum of 7 years game development experience and significant contribution to multiple shipped AAA titles.
• Previous experience as a Combat Designer on a AAA game.
• Proven track record designing weapon systems, damage systems, abilities, or any other combat system on any scale.
• Experience designing, documenting, and building game feel systems with a focus on mechanics and philosophies that drive it.
• Ability to creatively align with the team and then take initiative locally and externally.
• Ability to handle ambiguity, including giving and handling feedback despite that ambiguity.
• Experience in Animation; able to talk anticipation, follow through, character and timing.
• Experience successfully leading interdisciplinary teams through several game development cycles.
• Passion for making and playing games.
• Enthusiastic, positive, team-oriented; must have the ability to interact and collaborate with all departments and teams.
• Self-sufficient and self-motivated, can perform duties with little oversight.