Senior Content Designer - Echtra Games

Position Overview

We are looking for a Senior Content Designer to join our growing team and help craft Echtra’s next AAA PC and Console ARPG. As a Senior Content Designer, you’ll be at the forefront of crafting dynamic and immersive combat experiences within the beloved universe of an existing franchise. You will design and fine-tune encounters that challenge and thrill players, with a focus on enemy AI, group behavior, spawning and placement of enemies, and the orchestration of engaging events.

You will leverage your deep expertise in game balance, player motivation, and core game loops to ensure each encounter is not only balanced and exhilarating but also enriches the overall game experience. Your creative input will be crucial in making combat scenarios feel impactful and memorable.

Echtra Games is a growing game studio in San Francisco with a team of veteran game developers and visionary newcomers who work both on-site and remotely. At Echtra, we value diversity and support work-life balance. We also have great benefits, an open vacation policy, and flexible schedules!

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Refine, iterate on, and communicate the vision for moment-to-moment gameplay specifically regarding combat with enemies.
• Prototype and implement enemies, population, and multi-phase boss fights using Unreal Engine tools.
• Strategically balance enemies, bosses, events, and combat to create a captivating player experience.
• Create sophisticated enemy populations and AI for engaging and approachable combat.
• Continuously research and analyze other games for inspiration that can make our designs even stronger.
• Collaborate with the Engineering and Art teams in the creation of tools and content.
• Align with licensors to deliver content that respects and builds on a franchise while creating a new, unique experience.

Desired Skills and Experience

• 5+ years of industry experience in a Game Design role with at least one shipped title.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience building 3rd person action games.
• Experience working with Unreal Engine and implementing blueprints.
• Experience designing and/or implementing AI systems, such as Behavior Trees.
• Mathematical and analytical problem solving skills.
• Solid decision making and prioritization skills to create actionable tasks from various feedback.
• Strong understanding of how to design content.
• Experience using existing assets and functional components to create new gameplay.
• Experience using ‘kitbash’ of components or primitives to create functional prototypes.

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary, bonus plan and ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan).
• 401K Company Match Contribution (US).
• RRSP/DPSP company match contribution (Canada).
• Health coverage, dental, disability, critical illness, EAP, and life insurance (Canada).
• Medical, dental, vision, EAP, life insurance, and disability benefits (US).
• Virtual mental health and neurodiversity support programs.
• Global Fitness reimbursement program.
• Global Wellbeing Program.
• Financial wellness program with unlimited access to certified financial planners.
• Discretionary Time Off policy for many employees.
• Family planning support program.
• Generous paid parental, pregnancy-related disability, caregiver, and compassionate leaves.
• Subsidized Back-up child care (US).
• Zynga happy hours and frequent employee events.
• Flexible working hours on many teams.
• Culture of diversity and inclusion including employee resource groups.
• Work with cool people and impact millions of daily players.