Combat Designer

At Blind Squirrel Games, creating exceptional games is just the start. As a proud, independent studio, we collaborate with developers and publishers who value innovation and excellence, serving as a trusted partner in bringing high-quality games to life.

Our people are central to our success, and we foster a dynamic, curious, and collaborative environment where individuals are empowered to take initiative and make a meaningful impact.

With studios in Irvine, California; Austin, Texas; Auckland, New Zealand; and Manizales, Colombia, we bring together global talent to build premium, cutting-edge games. Guided by the Blind Squirrel Way, our teams operate with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and collaboration to continually raise the bar.

This is a full-time position based in Austin, TX, with a fully onsite requirement at our studio campus.

As a Combat Designer, you will play a key role in shaping the game’s combat experience. You’ll collaborate closely with the Lead Combat Designer and cross-disciplinary leads to define and implement everything from enemy and weapon types down to attack collision volumes, impact frames, damage balancing and application etc. to make combat fun.

You will actively prototype, iterate, and refine core combat systems to meet BSG’s exacting standards for quality and feel, embodying the principles of the Blind Squirrel Way throughout the process.
 
Responsibilities 
• Design and implement character behaviors via scripting, behavior trees, animation graphs and blueprints 

• Implement, tweak and refine combat data such as damage types & volumes, impact and iframes, damage stats, animation timing, hit impact triggering etc.
• Create and maintain design documentation, including combat system, move sets, enemy behaviors, and more. 
• Collaborate with engineering, art, and animation teams to ensure your designs are feasible and executed to the highest quality. 
• Prototype new combat mechanics and features in-engine. 
• Conduct playtests, gather feedback, and iterate on designs. 
• Stay up to date with industry trends and new technologies to push the boundaries of combat design. 

Qualifications 
• 3+ years of professional experience in game design, with a significant focus on combat design. 
• Shipped at least one title with the same or similar job title 
• Deep understanding of gameplay mechanics, player feedback loops, and the principles of game feel. 

• Demonstrable understanding of melee and projectile based combat
• Proficiency with Unreal Engine, specifically blueprints and prototyping. 
• Excellent communication skills.

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Eligibility for benefits and perks may vary based on position, employment status, and location.      

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