Design Director

Title: Design Director

Quebec, Canada

Who we are

Gearbox Studio Quebec brings together a team of exceptional talent, driven by a passion for creating award-winning and iconic video games. Our rich universes come to life through transmedia storytelling, live experiences, and merchandise, offering players unforgettable immersive adventures. Our studio is renowned for its work on successful franchises such as Borderlands, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, and Brothers in Arms, as well as for the ongoing development of beloved titles like Duke Nukem, Risk of Rain, and Homeworld.

Gearbox also has offices in Canada, in the cities of Quebec City and Montreal. Gearbox Studio Quebec is proud to be part of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

To learn more, visit www.GearboxSoftware.com.

What we are looking for

Define, in partnership with the creative director, the vision of the Gameplay that will be able to exploit the pillars of the project.

Responsibilities

• Define, in partnership with the creative director, the vision of the Gameplay that will be able to exploit the pillars of the project.

• Working closely with game designers and other project directors to refine and improve game systems, including the 3Cs, combat, artificial intelligence, weapons, character talents, power progression, and environmental interactions.

• Communicate the design direction clearly and concisely to all members of the project team as well as its various partners.

• Provide clear feedback to the team to encourage a culture of quality and accountability.

• To actively contribute to the development of the project by working directly on the machine.

• Collaborate with project leadership to establish the project scope and priorities.

• Guiding, inspiring and supporting multidisciplinary teams throughout the project.

Qualifications

Experience

• 15 years of experience as a designer in the video game industry.

• Having delivered several multi-platform titles from pre-design to certification, some of which were in a leadership position.

• Experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5

Action game expert

• In-depth knowledge of action games, especially shooting games (shooters).

• Ability to analyze and clearly explain complex game mechanics, systems, and loops.

• Ability to establish quality standards and project design direction.

Leader serving the team

• Supports the design team by actively removing production-related obstacles, is able to make decisive decisions to unblock the team.

• It encourages autonomy and trusts the expertise of senior designers.

• Maintains a horizontal and collaborative management style, not a top-down approach.

Hands-on approach

• Desires to continue directly handling specific design tasks.

• Builds, iterates, and refines features and datasets directly within the game engine.

 

Other requirements

• Perfectly bilingual (fluent in French and English).

• Be willing and able to travel to the studio in Montreal or Quebec City.

Our commitment to equal opportunities

Gearbox Studio Quebec is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and discrimination-free work environment, reflecting the diversity of the world we aspire to entertain.

As a studio committed to equal opportunity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees to enable them to fully participate in the recruitment process, perform their essential functions, and access the same benefits and opportunities.

If you require any accommodation at any point during the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Who We Are

The Gearbox Entertainment Company is home to a world-class team that entertains the world with award-winning and genre-defining video games. Our games are entrenched with rich universes that are expanded upon via transmedia storytelling, live experiences, and consumer products. Gearbox Entertainment has become widely known for developing successful game franchises such as Borderlands, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, and Brothers in Arms, as well for continued development of acquired properties including Duke Nukem, Risk of Rain, and Homeworld.

The company was founded as Gearbox Software in 1999 by a team of industry veterans and is headquartered in Frisco, Texas. The Gearbox Entertainment Company is proud to be part of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

For more information, visit www.GearboxSoftware.com.

What We Are Looking For

Define the gameplay vision in partnership with the Creative Director to leverage the project's core pillars.

Responsibilities

• Define the gameplay vision in partnership with the Creative Director to leverage the project's core pillars.

• Work closely with game designers and other project directors to refine and improve game systems, including 3Cs, combat, artificial intelligence, weapons, character skills, power growth and environmental interactions.

• Communicate the design direction clearly and concisely to all project team members and partners.

• Provide clear feedback to the team to foster a culture of quality and accountability.

• Actively contribute to the project's development by working directly in-engine.

• Collaborate with project leadership to establish the project scope and priorities.

• Guide, inspire, and support multidisciplinary teams throughout the project.

Qualifications

Experience

• 15 years of experience as a designer in the video game industry.

• Shipped multiple multiplatform titles from pre-production to certification, including in leadership roles.

• Experience with Unreal Engine 4 or 5.

Action Games Expert

• Deep knowledge of action games, particularly shooters.

• Can clearly analyse and articulate complex mechanics, systems, and game loops.

• Sets the project's quality standard and a clear-cut design direction.

Servant-Leader Mindset

• Supports the design team by actively removing production roadblocks, including making calls to keep the team moving forward.

• Encourages autonomy and trusts the expertise of senior designers.

• Maintains a flat, collaborative management style rather than top-down direction.

Hands-on Approach

• Desires to maintain direct ownership of specific design tasks.

• Builds, iterates, and polishes features and data sets directly in-engine.

Other Requirements

• Fully bilingual (fluent in both French and English).

• Willing and able to come into the Montreal or Quebec Studio.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Gearbox Entertainment is committed to ensuring that all team members work in an environment free from discrimination and harassment, and one that reflects the diversity of the world it strives to entertain. As an equal opportunity employer, Gearbox Entertainment does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Gearbox Entertainment is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, and to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by individuals without disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point during the job application process, please contact us for more information.

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