Level Designer
Pipeworks Studios is seeking a Level Designer I or II, commensurate with experience, to develop open-world content for a high-profile AAA action-adventure title set within a legendary franchise.
This role will design, build, and iterate on locations and points of interest that combine exploration, traversal, encounters, puzzles, and environmental storytelling. As part of a co-development team, the designer will collaborate closely with developers at Pipeworks and the project’s core development team while taking meaningful ownership of assigned spaces.
This is a full-time temporary role with the possibility of extension or conversion to regular full-time employment after six months. Our studio is based in Eugene, Oregon, and the role may be performed remotely, in a hybrid arrangement, or in the office.
Day To Day
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with level design leadership to define the goals, intended player experience, and quality bar for assigned content.
- Design, block out, implement, and iterate on open-world locations and points of interest in Unreal Engine 5.
- Create readable and engaging gameplay spaces that support exploration, traversal, encounters, puzzles, pacing, challenge, and environmental storytelling.
- Use Blueprint and project-specific tools to implement objectives, triggers, encounter logic, scripted behaviors, state changes, and other interactive content.
- Place, configure, and tune enemies, NPCs, gameplay objects, and environmental elements to support intended player behaviors and challenge.
- Collaborate with design, engineering, art, production, QA, and partner teams to communicate design intent, resolve dependencies, and incorporate feedback.
- Participate in playtests and design reviews, identify problems with flow or player experience, and iterate based on findings.
- Create and maintain clear documentation, layout callouts, encounter notes, task updates, and acceptance criteria.
- Maintain organized content, naming conventions, source control practices, and general level hygiene.
- Identify risks, blockers, and dependencies early, and adapt effectively as project priorities or creative direction change.