Lead Game Systems Designer

343 Industries is the developer of the blockbuster Halo series of video games. As part of Xbox Game Studios, the Halo franchise encompasses games, television series, novels, comics, licensed collectibles, apparel and more. We are looking for new Spartans to join our team to build the next generation of games and experiences in our award-winning sci-fi universe.

Do you understand modern console/PC games and have experience with live service games? Do you closely collaborate with teams to drive inspiring, cohesive gameplay experiences? Are you interested in Halo and want to preserve what makes it unique—while brimming with ideas to evolve an experience that millions of players love? If so, the Halo team would love to speak with you about becoming our next Lead Game Systems Designer!

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with 343’s Studio Design Director and other key stakeholders to define, prototype, validate, iterate, and evolve future Halo game systems throughout the development lifecycle.
• Lead the creative expansion and refinement of Halo’s metagame, progression, economy, customization, rewards, and engagement systems with an eye towards delivering deep and immersive experiences.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with all development disciplines to ensure a best-in-industry production process that avoids silos and reinforces a unified product vision.
• Set clear design goals and deliverables, focusing the systems design team on achieving a high-quality, cohesive experience for all players, on all platforms.
• Create clear design documentation and review design team documentation for creative alignment, consistency, and completeness.
• Be a partner with cross-disciplinary performance, user research, community, support, insights, and marketing teams to deliver high quality game systems that drive player excitement and engagement for the long run.
• Be a consistent source of clarity, positive energy and an exemplar of Microsoft and Xbox values.
  
  

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Art, Game Design, or related field AND 6+ years relevant internship/work experience (e.g., game development and design, game engines, systems design, content production, production pipelines)
• OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Game Design, or related field AND 6+ years related work experience (e.g., game development and design, systems design, content production)
• OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Game Design, or related field AND 4+ years related work experience (e.g., game development and design, systems design, content production)
• OR equivalent experience.
• 2+ years people management experience
  

Additional Or Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Art, Game Design, or related field AND 12+ years relevant internship/work experience (e.g., game development and design, systems design, content production)
• OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Game Design, or related field AND 12+ years related work experience (e.g., game development and design, systems design, content production)
• OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Game Design, or related field AND 8+ years related work experience (e.g., game development and design, systems design, content production)
• OR equivalent experience.
• Have shipped at least 1 title released to consumers/shipped game.
• 3+ years people management experience.
• Experience working with Unreal Engine tools.
• Comprehensive understanding of game systems – especially in FPS and action genres – game systems, social player psychology, combined with demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and rectify game design and systemic issues.
  

Game Design M5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $112,000 - $218,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $145,800 - $238,600 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

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Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.