Atomic Theory

game development

TechnicalGameDesigner

$76–105k Albany, New York, United States FULL TIME
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid+ candidates.

The Brief

“Technical Game Designer at Atomic Theory. Skills: Unreal Engine 5, Blueprints, game systems design, game mechanics design, technical execution of gameplay systems. Design and implement game mechanics, systems, and features in Unreal Engine 5. Build, maintain, and iterate on gameplay systems using Blueprints and UE5 tooling”

What You'll Achieve.

delivering player-centric, AAA-quality experiences; ensure engaging experiences across diverse playstyles; ensure features are both engaging and technically feasible; refine game balance and engagement strategies; ensuring designs are intuitive and inclusive; deliver high-quality gameplay

Industry & Context.

game development
Problems you'll solve

analytical and problem-solving skills

Eligibility Requirements

hybrid position with a mixture of in-office (required) and home-based working (optional), candidates who are local to New York State or are able to relocate independently

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

Experience designing and implementing gameplay systems for AAA or high-quality independent game titles, Deep understanding of game design fundamentals, including player psychology, game loops, and progression mechanics, Proven Unreal Engine 5 proficiency — comfortable implementing and testing mechanics directly in-engine via Blueprints and UE5 systems, analytical and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to data-driven design decisions, Ability to document and present design ideas effectively, fostering collaboration across disciplines, Experience in fast-paced, iterative development environments with an understanding of agile methodologies, Passion for gaming and a understanding of player motivations across different genres

Nice to Have

Experience designing multiplayer, live-service, or systemic games, Background in game economy design, balance, or monetisation strategies, Experience scripting in Blueprint, Lua, or other game development languages, Familiarity with UE5 features: Mass Entity, Gameplay Ability System (GAS), PCG, or similar, Experience with AI behaviour, mission design, or player progression systems, Prior co-development experience, collaborating with external studios or publishers

What You'll Do.

Design and implement game mechanics

and features in Unreal Engine 5

and iterate on gameplay systems using Blueprints and UE5 tooling

Develop clear and detailed design documentation

Prototype and validate gameplay elements directly in-engine

progression mechanics

Analyse player behaviour data to refine game balance and engagement strategies

Advocate for accessibility and usability

Contribute to co-development workflows

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Partnering closely with engineers for C++ handoffs; Collaborate cross-functionally with designers, engineers, and artists; Contribute to co-development workflows, working seamlessly with partner studios across time zones; Collaborative co-development environments; Partnering with our clients and internal teams

Communication Scope

document and present design ideas effectively; fostering collaboration across disciplines

Process & Methodology

agile methodologies

Full Job Description

Please note that this is a hybrid position with a mixture of in-office (required) and home-based working (optional). While we welcome all applications, this role does not offer relocation assistance. We encourage applications from candidates who are local to New York State or are able to relocate independently. Part of the Rocket Science Group, Atomic Theory is a multinational team of seasoned AAA veterans with roots extending from Blizzard, PUBG, Epic, and Unity. We have a track record of delivering player-centric, AAA-quality experiences, and we're unwavering in our commitment to performance, accessibility, and the engineering frameworks that underpin exceptional gameplay. Atomic Theory is more than just a studio — it's a collaborative space where diverse experiences intersect to solve the toughest challenges in modern game development. With offices in Albany NY, Cardiff UK, and Brighton UK, we thrive at the opportunity to Get Sh!t Done on a global scale. ABOUT THE ROLE: Engaging players through thoughtful, well-crafted game systems is at the heart of our design philosophy. As a Technical Game Designer, you'll sit at the intersection of design and engineering, owning the implementation and technical execution of gameplay systems in Unreal Engine 5. You'll be equally comfortable shaping a design vision on paper and bringing it to life through Blueprints, data-driven tooling, and close collaboration with engineering teams. This role is ideal for experienced designers who thrive on iteration and love getting deep into the engine, whether prototyping combat systems, tuning game economies, or building robust live-service features. You will work in collaborative co-development environments, partnering with our clients and internal teams to deliver high-quality gameplay across a range of AAA projects. WHAT YOU'LL DO: - Design and implement game mechanics, systems, and features in Unreal Engine 5 - Build, maintain, and iterate on gameplay systems using Blueprints and UE5

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