At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Technical Designer to build and implement exciting gameplay features in Unreal Engine.
- Company: Couch Heroes is an innovative game studio focused on creating a social gaming platform for meaningful connections.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility, a collaborative culture, and the chance to shape a new gaming experience.
- Why this job: This role offers creative freedom, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to impact game design directly.
- Qualifications: 4-5+ years in game development, strong Unreal Engine skills, and a passion for gameplay mechanics are essential.
- Other info: We're a remote-first team with a diverse background, valuing curiosity and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for a creative and collaborative Technical Designer to join our growing remote team. You will play a key role in supporting the design department by building and implementing new gameplay systems and features directly inside Unreal Engine. This role bridges gameplay programming and design, enabling rapid prototyping, feature integration, and scalable tool creation to help expand the game world. You will report directly to the Game Director, working closely with gameplay engineers, designers, animators, VFX, and audio teams to translate feature ideas into working systems. If you enjoy experimenting, building new mechanics, and mentoring junior designers while bringing gameplay ideas to life, this role is for you.
Your Role
- Gameplay Systems Development & Prototyping: Build and implement new gameplay features in Unreal, using Blueprints and (if applicable) C++. Rapidly prototype new systems and mechanics to support new zones, quest lines, and features. Collaborate with designers to bring new mechanics and features into live production. Build scalable systems to support bulk quest addition, fast travel mechanics, corruption systems, and enemy variant abilities. Optimize systems for performance, ensuring gameplay runs smoothly across platforms. Balance rapid iteration with clean, organized code and blueprint handoffs for final implementation.
- Mentorship & Cross-Team Collaboration: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior designers on technical skills and Unreal workflows. Work closely with gameplay engineers, combat designers, and level designers to ensure systemic consistency. Collaborate with animators, VFX, and audio teams to align feature implementation across disciplines. Share technical knowledge across the team to strengthen overall design capabilities.
We’re Ideally Looking For:
- Must-Haves: 4-5+ years of experience in game development, with at least one shipped title. Strong Unreal Engine experience, especially Blueprints. Solid general game design knowledge and systemic thinking. Ability to build and maintain gameplay mechanics and quest systems. Experience collaborating directly with design and programming teams. Strong problem-solving skills, communication, and mentoring ability. Comfortable with rapid prototyping and iterative design workflows. Familiarity with gameplay performance considerations.
- Example Tasks: Prototyping new corruption mechanics with systemic behaviors. Building the first version of the quest builder system. Implementing fast travel features like jump pads and skip nodes. Supporting enemy design with variant abilities and behavior tweaks.
- Nice-to-Haves: Experience with C++ in Unreal. Background in RPG design, skill trees, enemy AI, or multiplayer systems. Exposure to level design, writing, or narrative integration. Familiarity with enemy layout and encounter design. Ability to balance systemic features with scalability in mind.
About Couch Heroes
Couch Heroes is a growing, international game studio dedicated to creating a social gaming platform that celebrates creativity, expression, and meaningful player connection. We’re building something new: a modular, social-first game world that lets players shape stories, discover content, and collaborate across experiences. We're a remote-first team with legal entities in the UK and we’re currently scaling operations to support an ambitious multi-year roadmap. Our team blends deep AAA experience with fresh perspectives, and we value autonomy, curiosity, and cross-functional collaboration.
Location: Remote-first
Type: Full-time
Technical Designer employer: Couch Heroes
Contact Detail:
Couch Heroes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Unreal Engine, especially Blueprints, as this is crucial for the Technical Designer role. Consider creating a small project or prototype to showcase your skills and understanding of gameplay systems.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the game development community online, particularly forums and social media groups focused on Unreal Engine. Networking with other developers can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous projects in detail during interviews. Highlight your experience with rapid prototyping and how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams to bring gameplay ideas to life.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your problem-solving skills by discussing specific challenges you've faced in past projects and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Unreal Engine, especially your work with Blueprints. Include specific examples of gameplay systems you've developed or collaborated on, and any shipped titles that showcase your skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for game design and your excitement about the role at Couch Heroes. Mention how your experience aligns with their needs, particularly in gameplay systems development and mentorship.
Showcase Your Portfolio: If you have a portfolio, include it in your application. Highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to prototype new mechanics and collaborate with cross-functional teams. This will give them a clear view of your capabilities.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss your technical skills in detail, especially regarding Unreal Engine and gameplay mechanics. Think of examples where you've solved complex problems or mentored others, as these will likely come up during interviews.
How to prepare for a job interview at Couch Heroes
✨Showcase Your Unreal Engine Skills
Make sure to highlight your experience with Unreal Engine, especially Blueprints. Prepare examples of gameplay features or systems you've built in the past, as this will demonstrate your technical proficiency and creativity.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with designers, engineers, and other disciplines. Share specific instances where your teamwork led to successful project outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be prepared to talk about challenges you've faced in game development and how you overcame them. This could include technical issues, design dilemmas, or team dynamics. Highlight your analytical thinking and adaptability.
✨Emphasise Mentorship Experience
If you've mentored junior designers or shared knowledge within your team, make sure to mention it. Discuss how you approach mentorship and the impact it has had on your team's growth and project success.