Lead Game Designer

Mob Entertainment is a startup multimedia studio that is best known for our hit indie horror game "Poppy Playtime". This franchise is one of the hottest new properties in gaming, and our team is naturally expanding as our ambition expands. To give a taste of our brand's popularity, more than 100 billion YouTube views of Poppy Playtime related content have occurred since the game's launch 4 years ago.

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced Design Lead to define the creative and gameplay direction from its earliest stages through production. This is a highly collaborative leadership role responsible for establishing the game's design vision, building a small but high performing design team, and creating a prototype that proves the game's core pillars before full production begins.

You'll partner closely with Creative Direction, Art, Engineering, Audio, Narrative, Production, and external stakeholders to create a horror experience that is mechanically compelling, emotionally tense, and commercially successful. This role requires equal parts creative vision, hands-on implementation, rapid iteration, and leadership.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys building systems from scratch, and loves crafting memorable horror experiences where gameplay and atmosphere work together seamlessly.

What You'll Do

Design Vision & Creative Leadership

• Own the overall gameplay vision and design direction throughout pre-production.
• Define and document the game's gameplay systems, progression mechanics and player abilities.
• Champion the player experience while balancing creative ambition with production realities.
• Create templates for design documents and rituals to approve and iterate on features
• Advocate for horror-specific design principles including tension, vulnerability, anticipation, uncertainty, and emotional payoff.

Gameplay & Systems Design

• Use Blueprints to prototype gameplay features
• Collaborate with engineering to define when prototypes move to codes
• Champion the development of features with balancing and tuning in mind
• Build engaging gameplay loops that reinforce horror rather than undermine it.
• Use playtesting and data to refine mechanics and player experience.

Pre-Production Leadership

• Set the standards for authoring gameplay systems.
• Playtest, iterate and organize feature brainstorming with the team.
• Identify design risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Prioritize features that support the gameplay pillars.
• Work with production on scoping and prioritization of features.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with the game director to establish the direction of features.
• Work with Narrative to integrate story naturally into gameplay.
• Collaborate with animation to ensure that designs and their supporting animations support the horror atmosphere of the game.
• Be a champion of communication

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of game designers.
• Provide thoughtful feedback that elevates both craft and collaboration.
• Establish healthy design review and iteration processes.
• Encourage experimentation while maintaining alignment around project goals.
• Help recruit and interview future design team members.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional game design experience.
• Previous experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped titles.
• Experience leading gameplay design from concept through production.
• Deep understanding of gameplay systems, progression, balancing, and player psychology.
• Strong prototyping skills in unreal and ability to communicate ideas through playable experiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in Unreal Engine
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience shipping horror, survival horror, thriller, or atmospheric action games.
• Strong understanding of first-person gameplay.
• Experience building games within established entertainment IP.
• Understanding of live playtesting methodologies and iterative design.
• Passion for horror across games, film, television, and interactive entertainment, with a strong understanding of what makes the genre resonate with players.

Salary

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Final compensation within the applicable salary range will be determined based on factors such as the applicant’s experience, qualifications, and work location.

San Francisco, CA; New York City, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; Boston, MA; & Seattle, WA DC Metropolitan Areas: $136,000 - $169,000 USD annually

Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; & Miami, FL Metropolitan Areas: $119,000 - $147,000 USD annually

All Other U.S. Locations: $101,000 - $125,000 USD annually

Benefits

Mob Entertainment offers the following benefits to all eligible U.S.-based full-time employees: profit sharing; medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) matching; FSA/HSA; paid time off; sick time; holidays; and parental leave.

Mob Entertainment is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and complies with all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, military service, or any other protected class under applicable state or local law. Mob Entertainment also considers all qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with Fair Chance laws as well as any other applicable state and local laws.

- 8+ years of professional game design experience. - Previous experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped titles. - Experience leading gameplay design from concept through production. - Deep understanding of gameplay systems, progression, balancing, and player psychology. - Strong prototyping skills in Unreal and ability to communicate ideas through playable experiences. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills. - Experience working in Unreal Engine. - Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity.