Epic Games

Senior Game Designer

Epic Games$90K — $130K *
Cary, NC 27513In-Person
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years as a game designer with a focus on systems and multiplayer gameplay, particularly in music
  • Deep passion for games and music, understanding player motivations in creative environments
  • Strong problem-solving abilities, adaptable to evolving project requirements
  • Excellent communication skills for collaboration across disciplines
  • Experience with analytics tools and visual scripting is advantageous
  • Familiarity with music production workflows or musical training, especially in rhythm games

Responsibilities

  • Design and implement music-based gameplay features and interactions
  • Communicate project vision effectively to multidisciplinary teams
  • Set high standards for music gameplay design and social interactions
  • Create structured design documents and facilitate prototyping processes
  • Tune systems that enhance music gameplay, progression, and player expression
  • Collaborate with audio and engineering teams on intuitive design tools

Benefits

  • 100% premium coverage for medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents
  • Comprehensive mental health program offering free therapy and coaching
  • Unlimited paid time off and sick leave
  • Paid sabbatical after 7 years of employment
  • Celebration of employee achievements with company-wide events and paid breaks
  • 401k with competitive matching contributions
Full Job Description
What You'll Do

Epic Games is seeking an experienced Senior Game Designer to join our Music team, contributing across various aspects of music-based gameplay and interactive experiences. In this role, you will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to shape and refine music systems, tune gameplay mechanics, craft engaging activities and social experiences, and ensure compelling and expressive player experiences.
In this role, you will
  • Own the design and implementation of music-based gameplay features and systems, including using Jam Tracks, music interaction mechanics, and social music experiences, while fostering innovation
  • Effectively communicate project vision to team members across all disciplines, collaborating closely with audio, engineering, art, UX, and product teams to ensure compelling player experiences and overall ecosystem health
  • Set and maintain high-quality standards for music gameplay and social interaction design, actively participating in big-picture decisions to drive superior results
  • Create clear, structured design documents and drive collaborative, iterative prototyping processes to rapidly explore and refine music systems, player interactions, and emergent gameplay opportunities
  • Design and tune systems that support music gameplay, progression, discovery, and player expression, leveraging data and playtest feedback to react quickly to changing project needs and drive effective solutions
  • Partner closely with audio and engineering teams to develop intuitive tools and mechanics that empower players to create, remix, and engage with music-driven experiences
What we're looking for
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience shipping multiple titles as a game designer, with expertise in systems design and multiplayer gameplay, ideally including music gameplay, rhythm mechanics, social experiences, and player expression features
  • Passion for games and music experiences, with a broad understanding of player motivations and how music, creativity, and social interaction combine to create compelling gameplay
  • Ability to react quickly to changing project needs and directions, along with strong problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented mindset
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working closely with audio, engineering, UX, art, and product teams to bring music-driven experiences from concept to release
  • Experience with multiplayer cooperative games, systems design, analytics tools/languages/processes, and visual scripting is a plus
  • Experience designing rhythm games, music gameplay systems, creator tools, or social sandbox experiences, along with familiarity with music production workflows or musical training
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.

About Epic Games

Epic Games is a video game development company that is best known for creating the popular game Fortnite. The company was founded in 1991 by Tim Sweeney and is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina. Epic Games has developed a number of other successful games, including the Unreal series and Gears of War. The company is also known for its Unreal Engine, a game engine that is used by many other game developers. Epic Games is committed to advancing the state of the art in game development and creating innovative and engaging experiences for players.
Learn more about Epic Games
Size
2,700 employees
Industry
Founded
1991

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