QByte Studios is an independent game studio based in Victoria, Australia. We’re currently working on Nanites, a third-person action-builder survival game inspired by Fortnite: Save the World, Lethal Company, and Days Gone.

Set in a gritty, post-apocalyptic world overrun by rogue nanotech, Nanites blends story, base-building, combat, and survival strategy. We’re a small, passionate team that values fun, innovation, and high-quality work.

We’re looking for a Game Designer to help expand, refine, and balance the core gameplay systems in Nanites. You’ll contribute to mechanics like combat, progression, mission structure, and survival elements—crafting fun, meaningful systems that reward experimentation and strategic thinking.

This is a contractor role with fully flexible hours and remote work. We care more about consistent progress and solid work than strict schedules.

• Design and document gameplay systems (combat, crafting, base-building, AI behavior, etc.)
• Balance game mechanics for challenge, pacing, and player agency
• Collaborate with artists, programmers, and other designers to bring systems to life
• Prototype and test mechanics using spreadsheets, flowcharts, or in-engine tools
• Iterate based on team feedback and playtesting data
• Help ensure systems align with Nanites' tone, lore, and world-building
• Create clear documentation in the Game Design Document (GDD)

• Strong understanding of gameplay systems and player experience design
• Experience designing mechanics for survival, shooter, or base-building games
• Ability to write clear, organized design documentation
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5 (or willingness to learn its systems)
• Comfortable with spreadsheets, balancing tools, and visual scripting logic
• Great communicator, self-motivated, and team-minded
• Willing to sign a contractor agreement

• Experience working on or modding a released game
• Knowledge of enemy design, AI behaviors, or mission design
• Interest in post-apocalyptic or sci-fi worlds
• Narrative or quest design skills
• Familiarity with GDD tools like Obsidian, Notion, or Google Docs
• A love for iteration, experimentation, and collaborative creativity

We understand concerns about unpaid work in the games industry and are committed to fairness and transparency:

• All contributors are independent contractors
• We are pre-revenue and not currently paying upfront
• Contractors are compensated via net revenue share once revenue is generated

We don’t do stiff interviews we jump in-game and talk while playing. Usually Fortnite (BR or STW), though we’re flexible.

We want to see how you:

• Approach design challenges and explain your logic
• Communicate ideas clearly and listen to others
• Adapt, problem-solve, and collaborate in real time
• Bring passion, humor, and energy to the team

• Real experience on a gritty, stylized indie project
• Design systems that players will interact with every minute
• Remote work with flexible hours
• Help shape a unique game from early stages to release
• Be part of a passionate, no-BS team who genuinely enjoy what they do

Quick apply or email [email protected] with:

• A short intro about you and why Nanites caught your eye
• Links to any relevant design work (portfolio, GDD samples, modding work, etc.)
• Your experience, timezone, and availability