PRINCIPAL LEVEL DESIGNER (ON-SITE, HYBRID)

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Today, we're recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.

ABOUT FIREWALK STUDIOS

Firewalk Studios is dedicated to creating unforgettable multiplayer experiences that capture the joy of playing together. We believe in the power of multiplayer and want to delight players with worlds that spark imagination and forge connection through immersive gameplay, artistry, and heartfelt characters. We are currently working on an original multiplayer game as part of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Creating worlds that ignite imagination and connection takes a collaborative team. Firewalk is building a world-class, next-generation game studio with a focus on a more sustainable approach to game development. For us, setting a high-quality bar, creating something extraordinary, and treating each other with trust and respect go hand-in-hand.

THE ROLE

Our studio is looking for a Principal Level Designer who is incredibly passionate about games and bringing exceptional entertainment to millions of players. Our Principal Level Designers are responsible for being a core advocate for the quality of environmental gameplay and helping to keep Level Design moving successfully towards their goals.

WHO YOU ARE

• You are extraordinarily passionate about building spaces for competitive shooters. You enjoy picking apart your favorite PvP shooter maps, imagining how you would make them better, and frequently cracking open a map editor just for fun.
• You are an accomplished PvP Level Designer. You have an impressive portfolio of shipped PvP maps, which includes a few gems that look amazing and are beloved by players.
• You take pride in your ability to mentor other Level Designers to success. You create insightful best practices, communicate in a way that's inspiring, and keep the Level Design staff empowered and creatively aligned.
• You are literate enough in environmental art and content creation to reliably put artists in a position to do their best work and create inspiring team dynamics.
• You have a great instinct for the best way to balance art and Level Design, so spaces simultaneously look great and play amazing.
• You are incredibly knowledgeable about PvP Level Design tools and workflow. You can work directly with tools engineers to make sure we have truly exceptional tools.
• You find time to play video games and empathize deeply with our players, because you are a gamer at heart.
• You understand the needs of different game modes and can design to align with those intentions.
• Experience with the Unreal 5 Engine is a big plus.

WHAT YOUR DAY MIGHT LOOK LIKE

• Working closely with the Modes team to ensure alignment between map design and mode playstyle intentions.
• Working with our designers to update our Level Design best practices.
• Working closely with the Narrative, Concept, and the Art teams to come up with fresh new map ideas that align with our IP, then creating a blockout that brings it all together and is a blast to play.
• Helping a Level Designer debug why a space isn't coming together by applying concise design principles and working with them to figure out how to move forward.
• Participating in syncs with other lead and senior designers.
• Playtesting the game and giving candid notes on how we can improve it.
• Helping close out maps to be ready for ship by having a meticulous eye for detail and polish.

QUALIFICATIONS

• You have shipped at least two successful "AAA" titles from start to finish as a Level Designer, or equivalent game development experience.
• You have strong knowledge and experience with modern shooter level design.
• You have experience successfully mentoring other Designers, especially Level Designers.

#LI-SF2

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At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.

Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.

$170,500-$255,700 USD