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Marathon Gameplay Designer (Senior to Staff)

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Overview

We are seeking a highly technical, creative, and team-oriented Senior to Staff Gameplay Designer to join Marathon’s diverse Sandbox Abilities team. Our team is committed to crafting a rich sandbox environment that offers players a variety of unique paths to explore and craft their own personalized gameplay experiences. 

As a Senior to Staff Gameplay Designer, you will work closely with the Design Team to craft a robust sandbox of gameplay systems, abilities, combat synergies and character content. You will collaborate with team members from other disciplines to drive a holistic gameplay experience. You will contribute to the design processes to ensure your work is the very best it can possibly be. Additionally, you will also work closely with other designers toward meeting the experiential needs of the players and markets. 

 RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Build compelling second-to-second gameplay experiences through character sandbox mechanics, especially 3C (Character, Camera and Controls) design 
  • Collaboratively plan, design, and evaluate top notch abilities gameplay 
  • Work with audio, effects, and animation developers to make in-game sandbox affordances clear to players 
  • Support the work of cross-discipline teams to understand and execute on what is best for the game 
  • Review the content of partner teams and skillfully work with them to revise and ensure consistent sandbox and gameplay experiences 
  • Maintain Marathon IP quality, consistency, along with sandbox design principles while implementing Gameplay content 
  • Ownership of features and development of design decisions with partner teams 
  • Validation of gameplay features through Bungie IP and Franchise standards 

  REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Previous experience as a Sandbox Designer or Gameplay Designer on a AAA or large-scale game 
  • Experience designing, documenting, and building combat and character systems 
  • Intuitive understanding of how second-to-second action games work and why people play them 
  • Excitement for collaboration with designers, artists, programmers, audio professionals, quality assurance and producers to achieve a common goal, no matter where they are 
  • Ability to creatively align with the team and then take initiative locally and externally 
  • Social intelligence, great interpersonal skills, and empathy for creative teams 
  • Ability to handle ambiguity, including giving and handling feedback despite that ambiguity 

 For Staff level candidates, in addition to the above skills, we are targeting: 

  •  Ability to operate autonomously while holding a creative vision 
  • Ability to create plans and evaluations for meeting the experiential needs of the players and markets 
  • Experience hiring, training, mentoring, and managing peer and junior designers 
  • Experience delegating work or ownership of an area to peers 
  • Ability to lead communication and “why” behind gameplay design decisions 
  • Having wide ranging experience, can use a variety of professional concepts in conjunction with Bungie objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective way 

 NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS     

  • Passion for PvP Design 
  • Experience in Animation; able to talk anticipation, follow through, character and timing 
  • Experience designing, documenting, and building weapon systems, damage systems, abilities, or any other sandbox system on any scale 
Listed below are the two base pay ranges associated with this role at multiple levels. In other locations that Bungie has approved for remote work, this pay range may be adjusted up to +/- 10% and some roles may be classified as non-exempt (hourly). 

This range is determined by an array of factors, including training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands. Additionally, it is subject to change and may be modified in the future. 

In the journey to make incredible worlds, Bungie employees don't simply do meaningful work - they receive meaningful support. Competitive salaries and discretionary bonus opportunities are just the start. We offer comprehensive healthcare coverage, generous 401(k) matching, flexible time off policies, paid parental leave, social clubs, and so much more. Check out our benefits page: Benefits - Bungie Careers to see all the perks that come with joining Bungie.
Bellevue Pay Range I
$132,000—$158,000 USD
Bellevue Pay Range II
$160,000—$189,000 USD
 
Bungie full-time (non-contract) employees in the U.S. also receive:
  • 20 days of accrued time-off in the form of PTO and sabbatical days, depending on the level of the position
  • 10 paid Floating Days annually, prorated in the first year of employment based on start date
  • 10 paid Bungie-observed holidays annually
  • One hour of Paid Sick Time (PST) for every 30 hours worked 

Contract and International FTE employees receive competitive benefits through their relevant contracting agency.

So you don't meet every requirement listed in this job description? Do you think your experience level is not where it needs to be? Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification. Bungie is focused on building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. If you're interested in this position but your past experience doesn't line up perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we want you to apply anyway. The right role for you may be right around the corner!
 
Most Bungie full-time employees will adopt a digital first approach allowing remote work in Bungie approved locations (outside of positions identified as 100% onsite in Bellevue/Seattle, or individuals preferring a hybrid/flex environment). Prospective full-time employees located outside of CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NY, OR, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, or WI will need to establish residency in one of the states we are compliant in within 45 days of a start date. Contractors will follow a digital first approach adhering to the location guidelines agreed upon by our third-party employer/vendor and Bungie. Bungie’s remote policy is subject to change at the company’s discretion. 

Bungie provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Please be aware that fictitious job openings, consulting engagements, solicitations, or employment offers may be circulated on the Internet in an attempt to obtain privileged information, or to induce you to pay a fee for services related to recruitment or training. Bungie does NOT charge any application, processing, or training fee at any stage of the recruitment or hiring process. All genuine job openings will be posted here on our careers page and all communications from the Bungie recruiting team and/or hiring managers will be initiated from an @bungie.com email address.