Lead Technical Game Designer

The Company

Classic video games deserve better. At Digital Eclipse, we treat them with the same care and respect given to other artistic mediums. In its original incarnation in 1994, Digital Eclipse pioneered accurate video game re-releases, emulating vintage arcade games well before “emulation” was a household word. 30 years later, we’ve been reborn as a new kind of studio - one dedicated to not only restoring gaming’s heritage, but to preserving it and keeping it alive and available for future generations.  

We've launched critically acclaimed titles like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, and Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, while also developing successful original IPs like #IDARB and collaborating with industry leaders such as Capcom and Disney. And we're just getting started.

The Role

The Lead Technical Gameplay Designer bridges the gap between design, engineering, and production to ensure cohesive and well-documented gameplay experiences. This role is responsible for writing clear feature specifications, vetting and prioritizing design concepts, and maintaining product consistency across projects. They act as a connective force, aligning team visions into a structured, executable design while also contributing creatively and analytically.

With a deep understanding of game mechanics, UI/UX, and tooling, help refine workflows, improve accessibility, and ensure design decisions are data-driven. Additionally, provide market research, competitive analysis, and hands-on problem-solving to keep projects moving forward. The Lead Technical Gameplay Designer is both a facilitator and a problem-solver, ensuring seamless collaboration between departments while maintaining a player-focused approach.

What You’ll Do

• Write clear, concise feature specifications for engineers based on cross-team input.
• Lead and mentor a small team of designers, overseeing creative direction, workflow management, and collaboration to ensure high-quality design outcomes.
• Evaluate, prioritize, and document gameplay concepts in collaboration with engineers and producers.
• Oversee design consistency and connect department visions into a cohesive product flow.
• Create and manage SOPs for design frameworks, ensuring product-to-product consistency.
• Step into projects as needed to solve problems, maintain progress, and fill design gaps.
• Manage and provide guidance to team members when necessary.
• Learn, refine, and work with engineers to design internal tools to improve accessibility and workflow.
• Ensure UI/UX flows are intuitive, especially for first party compliance.
• Conduct deep dives into game mechanics, player expectations, and industry trends.
• Analyze competitor products, market data, and upcoming game releases for strategic insights.
• Shape and formalize game vision while contributing to creative and editorial direction.
• Deconstruct and analyze gameplay to refine mechanics and enhance player experience.

Must Haves

• 6+ years of experience in video game design and/or engineering.
• Proven experience in scheduling and project management.
• Background working across diverse game genres (examples encouraged).
• Strong collaboration skills with engineering teams.
• Technical proficiency, including scripting or prior engineering experience.
• Ability to analyze, deconstruct, and articulate game mechanics and systems.
• Expertise in UI/UX design and game flow optimization.
• Console development experience.
• Excited to learn and adapt to new challenges.
• Highly collaborative, organized, and proactive.
• Passion for video games, especially retro games
• Ability to commute or relocate to Emeryville, CA

Compensation, Benefits + Perks

• Salary Range: $140,000 - $165,000/year.  Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
• Medical, vision and dental benefits
• Generous parental leave
• 15+ paid holidays + vacation and sick leave
• A friendly office with collaborative and talented colleagues, an arcade, and rooftop deck to enjoy office lunches and BBQs

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter

EEO Statement

Digital Eclipse is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination.  We are committed to equal employment regardless of race, religion or lack thereof, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.