Game Designer

Company: Salvo

Location: Hybrid - Los Angeles, California

Employment Type: Full-time, Contract to Permanent

Compensation: $84,000 to $120,000 + Potential Equity

About Us

We're creating a new category in gaming, building truly interactive experiences over the top of live media and sports, way beyond current second screen experiences. As a pre-revenue startup with limited resources, everybody on the team needs to be a builder, hands-on with the work of creating this new business. 

Your Mission

As a Game Designer, you will own the design and implementation of multiple core gameplay systems for the first game built on our platform, over the top of live sports. You're a creative and critical thinker who enjoys collaborating with and leading teammates to find fun solutions that turn live sports content into compelling, engaging, and monetizable gaming experiences. You’ll work directly with the Product Lead and Engineering Team. 

Position Responsibilities

Priorities can often change in a startup environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to:

• Core Systems Design: Create extremely fun and high-performing core gameplay, progression, and engagement systems along with the virtual currency economy and monetization mechanics. 
• Development & Implementation: Leverage technical experience to rapid prototype, iterate based on play testing, and analyze user data to continuously hone and optimize design
• Live Sports Analysis: Design systems that work with live sports content across multiple sports, seasonal content calendars, and varying degrees of sports knowledge. 
• Collaboration & Leadership: Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary, disbursed team to create a cohesive experience; consistently play competitors' games for knowledge and inspiration; document designs with attention to detail. 

Required Experience

• Minimum 5+ years experience working in design pipelines for live games or similar systems-driven digital consumer products
• Deep experience with social competitive multiplayer core gameplay systems, progression systems and economies, free-to-play monetization design
• Proven understanding of player ongoing motivation, retention, and monetization in live games
• At least one shipped title or content patch in professional or personal careers
• Previous experience working creatively in a technical implementation environment
• Demonstrated ability to bring a positive attitude when collaborating cross-functionally with a global team

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Strong rapid prototyping design and development skills, and game development best practices
• Proven ability to apply statistical analysis of user data to hone design
• Strong experience or familiarity with strategy games, including TCGs
• Strong experience or familiarity with professional sports and sports games, including traditional sports games, fantasy sports, or sports betting
• Familiarity with UX/UI best practices for mobile gaming and digital consumer applications 
• Familiarity with Unity and C# development environments
• Kindness, empathy, curiosity

Extra Points

• Game programming experience, not just "vibe coding"
• Design team or discipline leadership experience
• Experience with prediction / betting game mechanics 
• Understanding of sports; no need to be a die-hard but need to know what’s going on

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary plus equity compensation
• Opportunity to define a new category of gaming from the ground up
• Work with cutting-edge technology at the intersection of gaming, live media, and AI tools
• Collaborative startup environment with opportunity for significant impact
• Hybrid work flexibility in and around Los Angeles

Note: We are a pre-revenue startup with limited resources, seeking candidates who understand this situation and are ready to go the extra mile.

Application Materials

• Resume
• Cover letter, including:
• A bit about you and why you're interested in working at a games startup
• Brief explanation of how you'd approach designing engagement mechanics for live sports content
• Games you are currently playing (and why)
• Your favorite games of all-time (and why)
• Any work portfolio references, as applicable

We're an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.