Lead Game Designer

Who is SkyBox Labs?

Recognized as one of BC's Top Employers (2024), SkyBox Labs is a game development studio that works on some of the world’s most iconic games. The studio is currently co-developing Halo Infinite, working on projects in the Minecraft universe, supporting the dev team at Bungie on Destiny, supporting development of Fallout 76, and working on original IP. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing game studios, since our inception in 2011, SkyBox Labs has evolved from a group of 8 people to a team of over 270+ Engineers, Artists, Animators, Designers, Producers, and more! Join us in our Burnaby studio, or have the opportunity to work remotely within Canada for certain designated projects.

Interested? Let’s talk about what we’re hiring for:

SkyBox Labs is on the lookout for a Lead Designer to craft extraordinary experiences on upcoming projects—both external collaborations and our own captivating internal IPs. This is not just a job; it’s an opportunity to shape future player experiences. It’s a chance to showcase your unique talents and expand your expertise in the gaming industry right here in Vancouver.

Someone with a rich background in action or FPS games, whether a lead designer or design director who can effortlessly adapt to new teams and challenges would thrive in this position.

If you’re ready to unleash your creativity on something new, we want to hear from you! Apply today and let’s create something great together.

A snapshot of your role:

• Collaborate with the senior directors to provide clear design direction, feedback, and support to the design team, ensuring delivery of high-quality work in line with the project goals
• As a hands-on leader, conceptualise and create innovative and engaging gameplay features and gameplay modes that align with the game’s vision and objectives
• Identify potential risks and challenges in the design process, developing strategies to mitigate them
• Rapidly prototype and iterate on gameplay ideas and mechanics to test and refine concepts, gathering feedback and making data-driven decisions to find the fun
• Work hand-in-hand with artists, engineers, and producers to refine and elevate game design elements
• Create and maintain comprehensive design documentation for a variety of audiences that communicates the goals and guidelines
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Prioritise the studio’s projects and goals, contributing as a hands-on designer and foregoing leadership responsibilities as required

Sound like you? This is what we're looking for:

• Deep experience with gameplay design on FPS or third person action games
• A track record of at least 2+ shipped titles or game releases, one of which was from concept to release
• A minimum of 10+ years professional work experience working in game design, demonstrating deep understanding of game design principles and practices
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the proven ability to guide a project and develop a team of designers
• Flexibility to lead or contribute as an individual contributor as needed
• A relentless drive for innovative design and problem-solving while meeting industry standards and player expectations
• Exceptional ability to present ideas and gather feedback within cross-functional teams
• A knack for navigating evolving project requirements and deadlines Nice-to-haves:- Degree or diploma in game design or related field
• A portfolio showcasing your impressive body of work, highlighting your design processes and contributions

And here is why we think you'll love working at SkyBox Labs:

• Annual bonus and up to 3% RRSP matching available
• Comprehensive health benefits, along with a supportive Parental Leave policy
• Flexible hybrid and remote working arrangements: leverage our beautiful studio spaces as needed, and use our $400 work-from-home allowance to make your home office comfortable
• Take care of your mental health with our Employee Assistance Program, 3 weeks of vacation leave, and our free gym at our Burnaby Studio
• We relentlessly support your growth and development! Level up your C++ skills at SkyBox University, explore other disciplines through our Guild Program, and expand your game dev knowledge with Lunch & Learns. You’ll join a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and personal growth.
• Social events! Have fun with the team at trivia nights, karaoke nights, movie nights, and various group activities. Join our soccer team, game jams, or a board game sesh after work. You name it, we’ve got it!
• You’ll contribute to industry-leading titles, from legendary AAA franchises to Original IP

The base salary range is $119,000 - $164,000. The stated pay scale reflects the range that SkyBox Labs reasonably expects to pay for this position. Your base salary will be determined by various factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, skills, and experience.