Lead Game Designer (f/m/d)

Your role::
As a Lead Game Designer, you will spearhead the creative vision and design execution for our projects. You will manage a team of designers, define workflows, and ensure alignment with project goals, contributing directly to the success of our games.

The kind of stuff you`ll be doing::
• Collaborate closely with the Design Director and the Project Owner (or Creative Producer) to define and uphold the creative vision of the game. 
• Take ownership of the design pipeline, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely delivery of design deliverables. 
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of game and level designers to achieve their best work. 
• Define and document core game systems, mechanics, and features, ensuring they align with gameplay goals. 
• Oversee and iterate on game systems through player feedback, playtesting, and internal reviews. 
• Work closely with cross-disciplinary teams, including artists, writers, and engineers, to bring the game to life.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on design documents, prototypes, and ingame implementations. 
• Conduct competitor analysis and stay updated on industry trends to ensure innovation and relevance.

Who are we looking for::
• 8+ years of experience in Game Design, including 3+ years in a leadership role. 
• Proven track record of working on at least 2 shipped titles, ideally including AA or AAA console or PC games. 
• Expertise in gameplay, systems, and mechanics design, with experience leading teams on projects with complex requirements. 
• Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine and familiarity with tools like Photoshop or other 2D/3D design software. 
• A deep passion for gaming and an analytical mindset to learn from and improve upon industry best practices. 
• Strong understanding of UX/UI principles and how they impact player experience. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

• Stays composed and productive under shifting priorities, tight deadlines, and creative setbacks. Is able to translate ambiguity into clear next steps for the team rather than passing pressure downward.
• Delivers consistent design output across long production cycles, balancing iteration and polish with the discipline to ship on time and within scope.
• Leads designers through difficult phases (crunch risks, scope cuts, direction changes, playtest feedback) while protecting team morale, focus, and creative confidence.
• Gives and receives feedback with directness and care. Holds the quality bar without bruising relationships across different departments like design, art, programming, and production.
• Communicates progress proactively, and surfaces problems early with proposed solutions, and if needed through escalations.
• Builds credibility with peers and leadership by making reasoning transparent, explains design decisions in terms of player value, project goals, and trade-offs others can engage with.
• Maintains perspective during conflict or criticism, separating the work from the person, and keeps the conversation focused on what's best for the game.

• A motivational leadership style, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Additional responsibilities::
• Collaborate on high-level pitches and presentations to secure buy-in from stakeholders. 
• Work with narrative teams to ensure missions and scenarios align with the overarching narrative and world-building. 
• Create and implement strategies for team development, including growth plans for junior and mid-level designers. 
• Ensure that team workflows and pipelines are efficient, scalable, and welldocumented.

The ideal candidate also has one more of the following::
• Experience designing open-world systems or working on fighting/combat gameplay. 
• A strong eye for cinematic direction and narrative design, including story arcs and dialogue writing. 
• Ability to conceptualize and implement world-building, lore, and immersive game elements. 
• Prior experience in roles requiring collaboration with technical departments on tools and pipeline improvements.

You are::
• A natural leader who can motivate and inspire a team through passion, communication, and mentorship.
• Highly organized and able to juggle multiple priorities and projects effectively.
• Open to critique and adept at giving constructive feedback. 
• Adaptable and eager to learn new tools and approaches. 
• Driven to create exceptional player experiences through innovation and collaboration.

What we offer::
• A welcoming and creative workplace
• A 38-hour workweek, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. 
• Flexible remote work options tailored to individual needs. 
• Perks like free drinks, a weekly organic fruit basket.  
• Monthly credit card top-up of €50 and a lunch subsidy (available for employees based in Germany, after the probation period). 
• Public transport ticket coverage (only for employees working in Munich).