Location: Hybrid: Los Angeles, Remote: Pacific Time Zone

Department: Game Design

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role:

Refactor Games is a AAA sports video game studio. We are developing the next generation of professional football (soccer) video games using Unreal Engine 5.

We’re seeking a seasoned Senior Game Designer - Game Systems to drive the design and implementation of advanced gameplay systems for a next-generation AAA European football video game built in Unreal Engine 5. You will conceptualize, prototype, tune, and polish interconnected systems that define how the game feels and plays across gameplay mechanics, progression, meta features, and player engagement loops.

You’ll work closely with engineers, animators, AI designers, UX, and production to ensure systems are robust, performant, and deeply aligned with the total football experience. This role requires strong systems thinking, Unreal Engine proficiency, and a passion for football that shows in both design insight and execution.

** NOTE: All applications must include a Cover Letter. Please detail your past experience with Sports Game development and relevant soccer experience/fandom, if applicable. **

Experience:

• 5+ years of professional game design experience, with meaningful ownership of gameplay or systems features on shipped titles.
• At least 2 shipped AAA titles, bonus points for sports titles.

What You'll Work On:

• Design and own complex game systems such as player mechanics, controls, progression loops, mode rules, match logic, meta interactions, and balancing frameworks.
• Prototype and iterate features using Unreal Engine 5 (Blueprints; C++ exposure a plus) to explore, validate, and polish systems.
• Collaborate with engineering to define technical requirements and implementation plans, ensuring your designs are feasible and maintainable in UE5.
• Partner with AI and animation teams to integrate systems with player behavior, character movement, and tactical responses.
• Tune systems using playtest feedback and telemetry data to achieve engaging and fair gameplay across modes.
• Deliver detailed design documentation, system diagrams, and tuning guidelines for cross-discipline reference.
• Work closely with UX and live ops to surface system states and progression in ways that feel intuitive to players.
• Mentor and guide other designers in systems methodology and UE5 workflows.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in designing and tuning interconnected game systems (Progression, balancing, meta loops, etc.).
• Hands-on proficiency with Unreal Engine 5 workflows, particularly Blueprints, and familiarity with scripting/design implementation.
• Strong analytical mindset—comfortable analyzing player behavior, balancing large systems, and iterating based on data and playtests.
• Deep knowledge of football and football games (e.g., understanding of team tactics, player roles, ball mechanics, game flow, and competitive balance).
• Excellent communication skills and experience working with multidisciplinary teams.

Bonus Points:

• Experience on a sports or competitive multiplayer title, especially football/soccer games.
• Exposure to C++ within Unreal Engine and ability to collaborate closely with engineers on technical design solutions.
• Familiarity with live service design, seasonal content, or event-driven progression systems.
• Experience using analytics tools or telemetry to inform and refine design decisions.
• Prior mentoring or team leadership roles within design.

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to shape the core systems behind a next-generation AAA European football franchise.
• Highly collaborative environment with top designers, programmers, animators, and technical teams.
• Competitive compensation, and benefits.
• Career growth into leadership or cross-discipline strategic design roles.