Lead Level Designer in Guildford

Sledgehammer Games is a leading developer in the video game industry, best known for its work on the Call of Duty franchise. Since our inception in 2009, the studio has delivered iconic titles including Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Call of Duty: WWII (2017), and, most recently, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

As industry leaders in first-person shooter development, our commitment to excellence is reflected in every detail of our games, from highly polished multiplayer experiences to emotionally engaging single-player campaigns. At Sledgehammer Games, we believe in pushing boundaries, redefining the possibilities of interactive storytelling, and setting new standards for visual and gameplay fidelity. Together, we aim to deliver world-class gaming content that continues to set the bar for quality, innovation, and player engagement.

We are excited to invite a talented and passionate developer to join our growing team as a Lead Single Player Level Designer based in our Guildford, UK studio. In this role, you will work collaboratively with our talented teams across the globe, including our locations in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. If you’re ready to be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment where your skills can make a real impact, we invite you to explore career opportunities with us.

Please note: This is not a remote role. This is a hybrid position based in our Guildford Studio, offering flexibility with a combination of in-studio and remote workdays. Permanent remote work is not available for this position.

Your Mission

• Guide the creative and technical direction of our campaign levels from early concept to final polish.
• Lead a talented team of designers in building cinematic, gameplay-driven levels that deliver emotional impact and unforgettable player experiences.
• Champion design quality, mentor others and collaborate closely with narrative, art, engineering and production.
• Act as the level design leader for Single Player content made by Sledgehammer Games.
• Define and uphold best practices in level design, pacing and player readability.
• Translate creative direction into clear, actionable design goals and documentation.
• Hold regular reviews and provide iterative feedback to the team to meet the required quality bar.
• Build effective working relationships with key creative and production partners across Sledgehammer Games.
• Work with stakeholders across other Activision studios to ensure content developed fits with creative pillars.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and career development for level designers of varying experience levels.
• Work with user research during playtests to identify iterative improvements and changes.
• Learn, understand, and improve the tools and workflow for the team.
• Work with production teams to provide estimates and schedules for the Design team.
• Communicate progress and resolution of issues with the ability to set guidelines for peers and support teams.
• Represent the team’s work at global SHG all-hands meetings when required.
• Partner with the recruitment team to identify key hires, taking an active role in building the core team.
• Become a key creative leader at the studio with a highly visible presence at team all-hands and other studio events.

Minimum Requirements

• Extensive industry experience working in AAA Game Design.
• Previous experience as a Lead Designer, with experience of managing and mentoring a team (2+ designers).
• Prior experience with technical scripting, ideally through text-based languages (C++, C#, Lua, or similar) or Unreal’s Blueprints.
• Expansive knowledge of game design with appreciation and understanding for the other disciplines.
• Strong grasp of combat design, AI behaviours, player guidance and geometry building, flow and layout.
• Solid understanding of level design with ability to clearly discuss modern trends.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to pitch concepts clearly and concisely.
• Experience working with proprietary engines and toolsets including Unreal.
• Analytical problem-solver with a passion for iteration and continuous improvement.
• Passion and enthusiasm for narrative-driven Single Player games.
• An egoless attitude that encourages feedback and constructive critique.
• Experience taking major AAA console and PC games from concept to completion.
• Open to working in / relocating to Guildford, UK.

Extra Points

• Ideally shipped at least one title as a Lead Designer.
• Experience working on projects involving multiple internal and external partners.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! At Activision Blizzard, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

Our World: At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™, and Guitar Hero®.

We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization.

We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater — this could be your opportunity to level up.

Ready to Activate Your Future? The video game industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

Sledgehammer Games is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.