Job description
This is a ~30 hour/week contract position for mid-to-lead level.
A combination aesthetic and gameplay oriented role for folks who can quickly graybox open worlds and prototype the dense, rich interactions that make them satisfying - all while keeping visual design top of mind.
Core Responsibilities
Design and prototype open-world environments end to end, from blockout through gameplay-ready spaces, balancing visual spectacle with moment-to-moment playability
Define the layout and flow of large spaces: sightlines, landmarks, traversal routes, choke points, and pacing between areas of high and low intensity
Design and implement pathing systems, including critical paths, secondary routes, shortcuts, and traversal options that support multiple playstyles
Conceive, place, and iterate on Points of Interest (POIs), defining each one's purpose, encounter structure, rewards, and role in the player's broader journey
Build interactive environmental gameplay, such as traversal mechanics, destructibles, hazards, puzzles, and systemic interactions that make spaces feel reactive and alive
Rapidly prototype in-engine using scripting, visual scripting, or code to test and validate ideas early, with a bias toward playable builds over documents
Present design intent and prototypes clearly to leads, stakeholders, and cross-discipline partners, and incorporate critique constructively
Required Experience
Demonstrated ability to design large-scale, non-linear spaces, with a portfolio showing both layout and gameplay work
Strong understanding of player navigation, visual communication, and guiding players without heavy UI or explicit direction
Hands-on experience prototyping in a modern engine (Unreal Engine or Unity), including blockout tools, terrain and landscape tools, and gameplay scripting
Proficiency in visual scripting (e.g., Blueprints) and/or a scripting language (C#, C++, Lua, Python) to build and iterate on interactions
Experience designing POIs, encounters, or activities and integrating them into a cohesive world
Solid grasp of gameplay systems design, including how traversal, combat, AI, and exploration interact within an environment
Ability to balance creative ambition with technical constraints such as memory, streaming, draw distance, and content budgets
Excellent communication skills, with experience collaborating across art, design, and engineering disciplines
Comfort with iterative, feedback-driven development and with taking a prototype from rough concept to polished, playable content
Bonus Experience
Shipped at least one open-world or large-scale exploration title
Experience with procedural or semi-procedural tools (e.g., Houdini, PCG, world-building tools) for environment and content placement
Background in systemic or emergent design, such as ecosystems, dynamic events, or AI-driven world behaviors
Technical art or environment art skills, including blockout-to-art handoff and kit-bashing
Experience with traversal-focused design (climbing, gliding, vehicles, mounts, etc.)
Familiarity with analytics and telemetry tools for evaluating player movement and engagement
Experience with world streaming, World Partition, or level-of-detail strategies in large environments
Contributions to game jams, mods, or personal projects that show initiative and creative range
Experience mentoring designers or leading small cross-discipline strike teams
Passion for exploration-driven games, with a strong point of view on what makes a world feel worth exploring
Hours & Expectations
This is a 3 - 6 month initial contract with opportunities for extension or hire depending on project status and work compatibility. We expect 30-40 hours a week most weeks.
Help Enrich Our World
We encourage underrepresented applicants to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications.
Transparency in LLM Usage
If you’re using an LLM to write your cover letter, please disclose it with a brief initial sentence (and whether you are or aren’t, please let us know your favorite pop culture creature then, too). We consider transparency in AI usage important. (We used it to help with this req, for instance!)
Originally posted on Himalayas
Who can apply
Eligible countries: United States. Accepted UTC offsets: UTC-10, UTC-9, UTC-8, UTC-7, UTC-6, UTC-5, UTC+14. Review the full description for employer-specific work authorization, residency and schedule requirements.