Lead Designer

Whether you9re currently a Lead Designer ready for a broader challenge or an established Design Director looking to work across multiple projects and genres, this is an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on both client outcomes and Side9s growing co-development practice. Requirements What you will do: Lead the design vision and execution across co-development projects, acting as the primary design partner for both internal teams and client stakeholders.Drive gameplay, systems, level, and technical design initiatives from concept through delivery.Collaborate closely with engineering, art, production, and QA teams to create engaging, high-quality player experiences.Provide creative leadership, mentorship, and feedback to designers across multiple disciplines.Prototype, validate, and iterate on gameplay features, progression systems, level layouts, and player engagement mechanics.Review and improve gameplay flow, combat encounters, boss experiences, and overall game balance, with a particular focus on FPS and action-oriented experiences.Identify design risks early, solve complex production challenges, and ensure design quality is maintained throughout development. What we are looking for: Proven experience as a Lead Designer, Principal Designer, or Design Director on shipped commercial titles.Deep expertise with Unreal Engine and a strong understanding of gameplay, systems, and level design.Experience leading cross-functional teams and working directly with clients or external development partners.Strong FPS design experience, with a track record of improving gameplay flow, combat encounters, progression, and player engagement.Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and mentoring skills, with the ability to balance creative vision against production realities. Confident client-facing communicator, able to present design solutions, manage stakeholder expectations, and build trusted relationships with development partners.