THE OPPORTUNITY
As a Senior Technical Game Designer at Eleventh Hour Games, you will design, implement, and refine the gameplay systems and technical features that shape the player experience in Last Epoch. Working closely with design, engineering, and production, you will help build systems that are both compelling for players and reliable in development.
This role is ideal for someone who is systems-minded, has a deep understanding of top-down loot-driven action RPGs, is technically fluent, and comfortable moving between design thinking and hands-on implementation. You should be able to prototype, script, tune, and support complex gameplay features while keeping them scalable, maintainable, and aligned with the broader vision of the game.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, implement, and tune gameplay systems, features, and content that support combat, progression, moment-to-moment gameplay, and long-term player engagement
- Work closely with engineering and other designers to bridge design intent with technical implementation
- Prototype gameplay features and systems directly in engine using available scripting or design tools
- Create and maintain clear technical design documentation, feature specs, logic flows, and implementation notes for cross-functional teams
- Identify technical constraints and opportunities early, and help shape design solutions that are both high quality and production-friendly
- Support the implementation and upkeep of gameplay content, including system setup, tuning, debugging, and iteration
- Partner with production to help scope features appropriately and identify risks to quality, timeline, or maintainability
- Collaborate with design, engineering, UI, and other disciplines to ensure features are intuitive, polished, and aligned with the player experience
- Analyze gameplay feedback, bugs, and live data to improve systems and drive iteration over time
- Help raise the overall quality bar for technical design through strong ownership, problem solving, and cross-team collaboration
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5+ years of experience in technical design, systems design, game design, or a closely related role on shipped games
- Have a deep understanding of top-down action RPGs including their systems, itemization, character progression, abilities, and underlying architecture.
- Experience implementing gameplay features or systems directly in engine using scripting, visual scripting, or equivalent technical tools
- Strong understanding of gameplay systems design, including progression, combat, balance, and player-facing mechanics
- Ability to communicate clearly through technical documentation, implementation notes, and cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Experience working closely with engineers to develop and ship gameplay systems
- Strong debugging, problem-solving, and iteration skills
- Comfortable working with complex interconnected systems and understanding how design choices affect implementation
- Familiarity with Unreal, Unity, or similar game development engines
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a remote team environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Direct ARPG development experience
- Experience with scripting, visual scripting, or gameplay logic implementation
- Experience supporting live games or systems that require long-term iteration
- Familiarity with balance tuning, data-driven design, and gameplay metrics
- Experience building or supporting internal workflows that improve iteration speed and implementation reliability
- Strong understanding of itemization, progression systems, and action RPG combat design