Game Designer, Sr.

About Proxima

Proxima is an innovative independent game studio founded by industry veterans from Electronic Arts (EA). Our studio specializes in executing projects with small, highly autonomous teams that prioritize agility and creativity. Our debut title, Suck Up!, achieved viral success, garnering over 300 million views and widespread acclaim from content creators and players alike. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of game design and delivering engaging experiences to our audience.

Currently, we are developing our second project, a PC-based simulation game designed to captivate players with deep systems and emergent gameplay. As a remote-first studio headquartered in San Francisco, California, we foster a flexible and collaborative work environment that encourages innovation and leadership at every level.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Game Designer to join our team and play a pivotal leadership role in the development of our new simulation title. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of systems design, player psychology, and technical implementation, guiding the project from conceptualization through to launch. This role requires a strategic thinker with a passion for creating complex, dynamic gameplay systems that promote emergent interactions and player engagement.

The Senior Game Designer will be responsible for setting the creative vision, developing core game systems, and collaborating closely with engineers and artists to realize design solutions. You will have the opportunity to influence every aspect of the game’s development, ensuring a cohesive and innovative player experience while leading the design team towards project milestones.

Qualifications

• Over 5 years of professional game design experience, including taking a game from early prototype to launch
• Strong expertise in systems design and mathematical modeling of game economies and mechanics
• Deep understanding of player psychology and motivation
• Proficiency in building and implementing game systems within Unity or similar engines
• Experience with paper prototyping, technical implementation, balancing, and testing
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to guide cross-disciplinary teams
• Ability to design through dynamic rules and variables to create emergent gameplay
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to build complex spreadsheets for simulation and balancing
  
  

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the creative direction of the game, establishing core pillars, key design elements, and progression systems
• Design and develop complex game systems that foster emergent gameplay and player engagement
• Implement design solutions independently and collaboratively, from initial paper prototypes to technical realization
• Balance game mechanics and economies through rigorous testing and iterative refinement
• Partner with engineering teams to develop custom tools and streamline workflows
• Create detailed documentation and spreadsheets to simulate, analyze, and validate game systems
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior designers and team members
• Ensure that design goals align with overall project vision and deadlines
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
• Flexible remote work environment
• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Collaborative and innovative studio culture
  
  

Equal Opportunity

Proxima is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.