Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment is the gaming business behind PlayStation, developing and delivering consoles, accessories, software, and digital services for players worldwide. Its portfolio includes PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR2, and PlayStation Plus, alongside the development and publishing of games such as Horizon Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7. The company also works with independent developers and supports competitive gaming events, bringing together teams across hardware, software, online services, and interactive entertainment.

Staff Hero Designer – Combat and Character Systems

Lead the design of playable hero characters, including combat, movement, progression, and player-character systems. Shape polished gameplay experiences for Sony Interactive Entertainment’s PlayStation brand.

Description

  • Own the design quality and execution of one or more playable hero characters
  • Set the creative direction for hero combat and player-character systems through design, prototyping, iteration, tuning, and polish
  • Build and refine gameplay using proprietary internal tools and scripting systems
  • Partner with programmers, animators, VFX artists, character artists, mission and combat designers, systems designers, UI/UX, narrative teams, and mission directors
  • Lead multidisciplinary development pods while coordinating milestones, priorities, and feedback with Development Management
  • Evaluate work in progress, incorporate feedback, drive iteration, and uphold milestone quality targets
  • Develop and maintain player-system documentation, tutorial videos, standards, metrics, and best practices
  • Facilitate brainstorming sessions and reviews, create alignment, and advocate for the design vision
  • Enhance internal tools for third-person character prototyping and iteration
  • Review hero-character work across the studio and mentor and coach other Hero Designers
  • Contribute to mission design, player progression, player-driven storytelling, and other gameplay systems as needed
  • Help cultivate a safe, supportive, and creative work environment

Requirements

  • Eight or more years of professional experience in game design
  • At least one shipped title where you were the primary design owner for player combat or overall player-character systems
  • Expertise in designing, tuning, and polishing player movement, combat, controls, and gameplay balance
  • Deep game-design expertise, particularly in third-person narrative games
  • Advanced proficiency with modern game engines, such as Unreal or proprietary engines
  • Experience scripting, prototyping, and iterating gameplay systems directly
  • Ability to implement and refine polished game feel with a high-quality presentation
  • Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
  • Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, spoken, diagrammatic, or scheduling instructions
  • Intermediate proficiency with level-editing tools and scripting, including Unreal Engine, Unity, or comparable editors
  • Intermediate proficiency with Maya or another major 3D modeling application
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Miro, Confluence, or comparable office software
  • Very strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Successful completion of background checks at the offer stage

Benefits

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • 401(k) matching
  • Paid time off
  • Wellness program
  • Employee discounts on Sony products
  • Potential eligibility for a bonus package
  • Flexible remote work arrangement

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