Lead Designer

Devoted Studios

Saint Paul, Illinois, United States

Saint Paul, Illinois, United States

About

Devoted Studios is a globally remote game development company specializing in Co-development, Porting, and End-to-End Art Production for the global gaming industry. We collaborate across time zones to support projects on all major platforms, engines and styles - from AAA titles to emerging technologies.
Our team includes world-class talents who bring deep expertise in external development, pipeline optimization, and creative problem-solving. Whether it’s porting games to new systems, enhancing gameplay features, or crafting stunning visuals, Devoted Studios operates as a trusted, flexible extension of our partners' internal teams.
We are proud to be the development partner of choice for industry leaders such as:
Epic Games
Xbox
Meta
Obsidian Entertainment
Riot
Gearbox Software
We are looking for a Lead Designer to drive design quality, gameplay cohesion, and player-facing impact across one or more co-development projects. This role combines hands‑on design leadership with close client collaboration, guiding multidisciplinary teams to deliver features, content, and improvements that support both development goals and live player needs.
You will act as the senior design voice within a client partnership, aligning creative direction, production realities, and player experience outcomes across ongoing development and live operations.
Major Responsibilities
Lead the game design function across one or more projects, setting design direction and ensuring consistent execution across the team
Own and maintain design documentation, including pillars, feature specs, tuning goals, content guidelines, and playtesting frameworks
Partner with client stakeholders, internal discipline leads, and production to align on scope, priorities, milestones, and design quality
Guide a team of designers across gameplay, systems, UX, and content design, providing feedback, mentorship, and day‑to‑day direction
Support the development and upkeep of live content, feature updates, and seasonal or rotating gameplay initiatives
Work closely with engineering, art, QA, and production to implement, iterate, and polish gameplay systems and player‑facing content
Drive design reviews, playtests, and feedback loops that improve clarity, usability, balance, and overall player experience
Help triage gameplay issues, regressions, exploits, and live player‑impacting problems, partnering with QA and cross‑functional teams on solutions
Use player feedback, qualitative insights, and available data to identify opportunities to improve engagement, clarity, and sentiment
Identify design risks early and propose practical solutions that protect quality, schedule, and maintainability
Contribute to internal design standards, best practices, and team process improvements across the studio
Requirements
6+ years of game design experience, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior design role
At least one shipped title as a design lead or senior designer on a commercially released game
Strong understanding of gameplay systems, player motivation, progression, balance, pacing, and feedback loops
Experience supporting live or evolving games, including post‑launch content, live tuning, or feature iteration
Strong documentation and communication skills, with the ability to create clear specs and drive productive cross‑discipline discussions
Proven ability to lead and mentor designers in a fast‑moving production environment
Experience collaborating directly with external partners or clients, with confidence managing feedback, expectations, and shifting priorities
Proficiency in Unreal Engine 5, including hands‑on design implementation and iteration within the engine
Strong working knowledge of Blueprints for gameplay scripting, prototyping, and feature support
Ability to work with light scripting in C++, particularly in collaboration with engineering teams to support gameplay systems and implementation needs
Strong player empathy and an instinct for improving real player outcomes through design
Nice to have
Experience working on live service games
Familiarity with content rotation, event design, or seasonal delivery models
Experience with systems, UX, or content design in addition to core gameplay
Comfort working in co‑development environments with embedded teams
Benefits
Strong and enthusiastic team - you will have the opportunity for knowledge sharing, learning, and professional self‑development
Interesting and challenging tasks - solve diverse and challenging issues, communicate with people within the company as well as with our partners;
Convenient working conditions - remote work, the opportunity to build your own working day with flexible working hours
А chance to work in a highly professional and dynamic team working with a wide range of International Game Production projects, attractive remuneration package, and opportunities to develop professionally
This is a remote, full‑time contracted position.
We are an equal opportunity company and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for a contract without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Saint Paul, Illinois, United States

Languages

English

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