Senior Level Designer

Senior Level Designer

Southampton Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
K

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design immersive levels for Phasmophobia and future projects, collaborating with artists and programmers.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team dedicated to creating iconic horror gaming experiences.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, and 30 days holiday including your birthday!
  • Why this job: Be part of a creative vision that shapes thrilling gameplay and storytelling in horror games.
  • Qualifications: 4+ years in level design, experience with Unity, and a passion for horror games required.
  • Other info: Opportunity to travel to major gaming events and participate in regular social activities.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We are expanding our team and looking for a talented Senior Level Designer to contribute to the ongoing development and enhancement of Phasmophobia and future projects. You’ll be responsible for designing immersive and atmospheric levels that support gameplay, build tension, and tell compelling stories. You’ll collaborate closely with our Art Director and Concept Artist to transform ideas into playable, believable spaces that look and feel iconic. As a senior member of the team, you’ll work cross-discipline with artists, designers, and programmers to ensure every level delivers on both gameplay and atmosphere.

Responsibilities:

  • Design, prototype, and iterate on levels that support Phasmophobia’s core co-op horror gameplay
  • Work closely with the Art Director and Concept Artist, using their visual designs and mood concepts to guide level layout and structure
  • Own the implementation of levels — translating visual ideas into functional, atmospheric, and engaging playable spaces
  • Ensure each level supports gameplay pacing, player flow, and technical requirements while maintaining the intended visual tone
  • Collaborate with the narrative team to integrate environmental storytelling and lore
  • Participate in playtests and help refine gameplay through level changes
  • Maintain existing levels by fixing navigation issues, culling problems, interaction issues, collision problems, and other gameplay-impacting issues
  • Contribute to the overall creative vision of future titles currently in development

Requirements:

  • 4+ years of experience in level design, with at least one shipped commercial game
  • Deep understanding of player flow, spatial design, pacing, and gameplay readability
  • Proven ability to create engaging first-person environments that support tension and exploration
  • Understanding of performance considerations for supporting a wide range of hardware and platforms
  • Proficient in grey boxing, white boxing and comfortable iterating based on feedback
  • Experience with Unity
  • A keen eye for detail and a strong grasp of visual composition in level layouts
  • Passion for horror games and emergent, systemic gameplay
  • Eligibility to work in the UK
  • Due to our office location, the ability to drive is highly recommended

Nice To Have:

  • Experience with non-linear level design
  • Understanding of lighting, sound, and ambience in horror level design
  • Experience playing Phasmophobia and a solid understanding of its mechanics
  • Interest in VR and designing for immersive environments

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary
  • 5% Employer Match Pension Scheme
  • Regular social events
  • Hybrid working
  • Flexitime
  • Opportunity to travel to events such as GDC, Gamescom, Twitch Con EU & US, EGX and Develop Brighton
  • Relocation Package
  • Annual performance bonus
  • Employee of the month vouchers
  • Personal wellbeing allowance
  • Referral Scheme
  • Training & Career Development
  • Vitality Health Insurance that includes Vision, Dental and Travel
  • Aviva Life Insurance
  • 30 days holiday including birthday and wellbeing day
  • Christmas studio shutdown

Senior Level Designer employer: Kinetic Games

Join a dynamic and innovative team as a Senior Level Designer, where your creativity will shape immersive experiences in the thrilling world of Phasmophobia. With a strong focus on collaboration, employee growth, and a vibrant work culture, we offer competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities to attend major gaming events. Our commitment to your wellbeing and professional development, alongside a supportive environment, makes us an exceptional employer for those passionate about crafting unforgettable gaming experiences.
K

Contact Detail:

Kinetic Games Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Level Designer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Phasmophobia and its gameplay mechanics. Understanding the nuances of the game will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the project.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your previous work effectively. Prepare a portfolio that highlights your level design projects, especially those that emphasise atmospheric storytelling and player engagement, as these are key aspects for this role.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with current or former employees of StudySmarter. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during the interview process.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your design process in detail. Be ready to explain how you approach level design, from initial concepts to final implementation, and how you collaborate with other disciplines to create immersive experiences.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Level Designer

Level Design
Prototyping Skills
Spatial Design
Gameplay Readability
Player Flow Understanding
Atmospheric Design
Collaboration with Art Teams
Environmental Storytelling
Unity Proficiency
Grey Boxing and White Boxing
Attention to Detail
Visual Composition
Problem-Solving Skills
Knowledge of Performance Considerations
Passion for Horror Games

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in level design, especially any work on horror games or projects similar to Phasmophobia. Emphasise your skills in gameplay pacing, spatial design, and collaboration with cross-discipline teams.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for horror games and your understanding of the unique challenges they present. Mention specific examples of your previous work that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your portfolio showcasing your best level design work. Make sure to highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to create immersive environments and your understanding of gameplay mechanics.

Highlight Collaboration Experience: Since the role involves working closely with artists and programmers, be sure to mention any past experiences where you successfully collaborated with other disciplines. This will show your ability to contribute to a team environment.

How to prepare for a job interview at Kinetic Games

✨Showcase Your Level Design Portfolio

Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best level design work. Include examples that demonstrate your understanding of player flow, spatial design, and how you create tension in gameplay.

✨Understand Phasmophobia's Gameplay Mechanics

Familiarise yourself with Phasmophobia and its core mechanics. Being able to discuss specific elements of the game and how your designs could enhance the experience will show your genuine interest and insight into the project.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect questions about your experience with Unity and performance considerations for different hardware. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled technical challenges in past projects and how you ensure levels are both engaging and functional.

✨Collaborative Mindset

Since the role involves working closely with artists and narrative teams, be prepared to discuss your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've successfully integrated feedback from various disciplines to improve your level designs.

Senior Level Designer
Kinetic Games
K
  • Senior Level Designer

    Southampton
    Full-Time
    36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-07-15

  • K

    Kinetic Games

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