> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2730916-senior-level-designer-4-month-contract](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2730916-senior-level-designer-4-month-contract). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Senior Level Designer (4-Month Contract)

- **Company:** BLACKBIRD INTERACTIVE
- **Location:** United States (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Temporary contract
- **Skills:** Software Debugging, Video Game Development, Scripting
- **Published:** September 5, 2026
- **Apply:** https://arc.dev/remote-jobs/j/redirect/pho97do9sv

## About the Role

* A minimum of 8 years of game development experience, with significant experience designing and implementing levels for action, RPG, or combat focused games
 * Experience shipping multiple titles, including at least one in a senior or equivalent level design role
 * Proven ability to independently own complex levels from initial concept and blockout through implementation, iteration, and final polish
 * Strong understanding of action RPG level design, including combat spaces, encounter pacing, exploration, progression, player guidance, and replayability
 * Strong hands-on experience with level editing, gameplay scripting, and in-engine implementation, with the ability to prototype, debug, and iterate quickly
 * Strong design judgment, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to balance gameplay quality, creative goals, technical constraints, and production realities, * Passion for action RPGs centered on combat, character builds, loot, progression, and exploration
 * Experience designing levels for an isometric or elevated gameplay camera, with an understanding of its impact on combat readability, navigation, and composition
 * Experience creating replayable content that supports different character builds, abilities, difficulty levels, or repeated playthroughs
 * Appreciation for systemic combat and how level geometry, enemy composition, hazards, and interactive elements combine to create varied encounters
 * Experience designing dungeons, interconnected environments, procedural or modular level content, or other repeatable gameplay spaces
 * Strong instincts for environmental storytelling, gameplay readability, polish, and identifying opportunities to improve the player experience through iteration

## Description

* Collaborate with combat, systems, narrative, art, engineering, audio, and production to create levels that support the established creative vision and core gameplay pillars
 * Own levels end-to-end, including layouts, blockouts, combat spaces, encounters, traversal, exploration, pacing, and player flow
 * Design engaging combat spaces that support varied enemies, character builds, abilities, positioning, and different approaches to combat
 * Create rewarding exploration through optional paths, secrets, environmental storytelling, and meaningful rewards while maintaining clear navigation and progression
 * Script and implement gameplay events, encounters, objectives, triggers, and environmental interactions directly in engine
 * Test, debug, and iterate on levels using playtest feedback to improve combat flow, difficulty, pacing, readability, and replayability


## Related Videos

- [What AI Can, Can’t, and Shouldn’t do for Games](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/997-what-ai-can-can-t-and-shouldn-t-do-for-games)
- [JavaScript? No. Java Scripts! - Scripting with Java](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2094-javascript-no-java-scripts-scripting-with-java)
- [Using AI Without Losing Your Skills](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2045-using-ai-without-losing-your-skills)
- [Why Your Best Mediors Never Become Seniors (And How to Fix It)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2108-why-your-best-mediors-never-become-seniors-and-how-to-fix-it)
- [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - "Fun and games - and all that comes with it", Back to BASIC & more](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1719-wearedevelopers-live-fun-and-games-and-all-that-comes-with-it-back-to-basic-more)
- [The Story of Games](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/226-the-story-of-games)

## Related Articles

- [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer)
- [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree)
- [What Developers Can Learn from Indie Games](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/650-what-developers-can-learn-from-indie-games)
- [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs)
- [Should senior developers refuse interview coding challenges?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/29-should-senior-developers-refuse-interview-coding-challenges)
- [WWC24 Talk - Brenda Romero - Stay: Surviving and Thriving in Tech](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/467-wwc24-talk-brenda-romero-stay-surviving-and-thriving-in-tech)