Senior Game Designer (Combat) (FTC) in Nottingham

About Dambuster Studios

Originally founded in 1999 as Free Radical Design, our ambition and passion comes through as strongly now as when we first began. We are always seeking individuals who can emulate our values - passion, quality, and teamwork - which are embodied in our diverse and inclusive culture.

Dambuster Studios - creators of the number one BAFTA-nominated smash hit Dead Island 2 - has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Game Designer with experience in combat/melee to join our highly talented Game Design team on a fixed-term contract until April 2027.

Role overview

We are seeking a skilled Senior Game Designer (Combat) for a 6‑month fixed‑term contract to support our combat feature team. You will take ownership of specific combat features - such as enemies, player combat mechanics, or weapons—refining existing designs and adding the detail needed for engineers and content creators to deliver high‑quality gameplay. Acting as the primary design contact, you will answer questions, resolve issues, and ensure smooth collaboration across disciplines, while clearly communicating progress and changes to the wider team.

What we can offer you

• Core hours 9.30am – 4pm, remaining hours worked flexibly
• Relocation support to Nottingham, UK (if required)
• Holiday allowance that increases with service (to a maximum of 30 days plus statutory public holidays)
• Annual pay reviews
• Company pension contribution that increases with service
• Company enhanced full pay for maternity leave for the first 26 weeks (to qualifying expectant mothers)
• Clear career progression within Dambuster Studios
• Studio funded learning and development opportunities
• Modern game development environment with the latest technologies
• Vibrant, modern city centre location with good transport links
• Fully subsidised gym membership with Virgin gym (Nottingham)
• Annual Christmas party and Summer Family BBQ
• Quarterly company funded cross‑team events
• Free financial advice
• Employee referral bonus scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Weekly office treats, including breakfast on Monday and pastries on Friday

Responsibilities

• Take existing feature designs and add in additional detail as required by engineers and content creators to answer questions and resolve issues highlighted in the existing designs.
• Be the point of design contact for the combat feature team for a feature or features – answer questions, resolve issues, ensure collaboration between all related disciplines on this feature, communicate out changes and progress on features to the wider team.
• Work hands on in editor (UE5) to set up and balance data related to features.
• Adjust the design to address feedback from various sources (including but not limited to: Game and Creative Direction, user tests, QA, Lead Design (Combat) on the player experience of features.
• Features may include enemies, player combat mechanics and/or weapons.
• Work with Production on task breakdown and estimation for features.

Requirements

• Experience in melee combat game design.
• Knowledge of factors affecting combat player experience.
• First Person experience desirable.
• Competent with set up and editing of data assets in UE5 – no blueprint editing skills required.
• Can own content and be a confident point of contact for a feature.
• Great communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Must work well collaboratively with other Designers, Production and all related disciplines.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Dambuster Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Anyone considering their next step in their career journey with Dambuster will receive consideration without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity or paternity, or membership in any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees, and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to apply.

We operate a transparent recruitment process that removes barriers for those who require reasonable adjustments. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment or onboarding process, or if you are successful in securing a position with us, please let us know what we can do to ensure your success.