Senior Combat Designer (ESO)

Overview

The Senior Combat Designer works with the Combat Lead and the rest of the development team in the creation and maintenance of core combat mechanics, character abilities, and combat itemization. They are responsible for maintaining and improving the health of the combat experience including balance, bug fixing, system improvements, and development of new features.

The preferred location for this role is Hunt Valley, MD, Austin, TX, or Madison, WI. Will consider remote.

Responsibilities

  • Assist the Lead Combat Designer in developing and executing plans to improve and expand the combat experience
  • Adhere to guidelines and restrictions for combat gameplay as defined by the Lead Combat Designer and Creative Director
  • Take ownership of the development of specific combat features and improvement efforts, from ideation through delivery to players
  • Maintain clear and concise documentation for all mechanics, balance, and systems they are responsible for
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the state of combat on the live servers and incorporate that knowledge into development effort
  • Mentor other designers on the Combat team to improve their design, technical, and communication skills
  • Actively seek internal and external feedback regarding the Combat product, and work with leadership to identify response actions
  • Specific areas of responsibility include:                    ​
    • Maintenance and iteration of combat-centric systems such as character stats, progression, itemization rules, and player onboarding
    • Creation and maintenance of character mechanics, abilities, and items with an eye toward game balance
    • Proposing and shepherding the development of new gameplay systems

Qualifications

  • Minimum 3+ years combat design experience on a shipped or live online multiplayer game
  • Deep expertise in action and RPG combat systems, and what makes them satisfying
  • Experience designing for both a casual and competitive audience
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to thrive within a collaborative environment, and both give and receive constructive feedback
  • Ability to think logically and break down complex problems, with a strong focus on attention to detail
  • Confidence working in an environment where specific processes are in place to maintain live game integrity
  • Experience with scripting tools or languages
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word

Salary Range

Senior Combat Designer - The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $75,000 - $165,000 per year.

           

ZeniMax has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets. The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role; the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate’s primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.

At ZeniMax certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, such as merit increases and discretionary bonuses. These awards are allocated based on individual performance and are not guaranteed. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with ZeniMax and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick and mental health time, and several paid holidays, among others.

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do – from recruiting for our studios, publishing and operations to fostering safe and respectful workplaces that encourage collaboration. Our culture is based on principles of respect, inclusion, and fair treatment and we welcome anyone into our family without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.

Our diversity fuels our innovation and inspires us to create game worlds that bring us closer to the global community of players we serve.

What to Expect

Submit to a Position

You will receive an automated email confirming we have received your resume.

Due to the high volume of applications received, it's not possible for us to respond directly to each candidate.

Don't see your desired position listed? Apply under "General Application" instead!

Recruiter Call

If you are selected, you will be contacted by our team for an initial phone screen to chat about your previous experience.

You may go through one or two phone interviews, and possibly a follow-up Skype call.

If your qualifications do not match the criteria of a current position, your resume will be kept on file.

Site Visit

The next step will be an invitation to come out and meet the team at the studio for onsite interviews.

In the event that we choose not to move forward at any point in the recruiting process, we will let you know.

Your Privacy

ZeniMax understands the importance of privacy. Please review the Applicant Privacy Notice attached to each position, which explains how we process the personal information we collect about you when you apply for a job or submit information to us through our job portal. BY APPLYING FOR THIS OR ANY POSITION, SHARING THIS JOB, OR OTHERWISE PROVIDING US WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION THROUGH THIS JOB PORTAL, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE APPLICANT PRIVACY NOTICE, WHICH IS SET FORTH IN THE “APPLICANT PRIVACY NOTICE” SECTION BELOW EACH POSITION.