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- Tasks: Join our creative team to design and implement engaging game systems.
- Company: Be part of Media Molecule, a renowned game developer under PlayStation Studios.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative environment with opportunities for innovation and creativity.
- Why this job: Work on exciting projects like Dreams and contribute to the future of gaming.
- Qualifications: Experience in systems design and at least one AAA game is essential.
- Other info: Contract role until January 2027, requiring onsite work in Guildford.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Why PlayStation?
PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation5, PlayStation4, PlayStationVR, PlayStationPlus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.
PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.
The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.
Senior Systems Designer – contract until Jan 2027
We are Media Molecule, a multi-award winning game developer and part of the wider PlayStation Studios group. We have a history of creating outstanding games such as LittleBigPlanet, Tearaway and most recently, the BAFTA Award winning Dreams. Come join us at our gorgeous, newly refurbished studio in central Guildford!
We are looking for a talented Senior Systems Designer to join our creative Design team on a contract basis (inside IR35). With a passion for problem-solving, you will play a key role helping to implement our systems and balance progression whilst guarding our overall vision.
You will be working with an empowered team who inspires and challenges one another in a respectful and safe environment to achieve maximum results. This contract will require a minimum of 2 days per week onsite in the Guildford studio.
Your Responsibilities…
- Apply your sharp systems knowledge to refine & implement robust & scalable systems, spot edge cases early and highlight potential issues or synergies with other systems
- When necessary, create accessible prototypes & clear system user flows to illustrate your ideas and help inform design documentation
- Use your insights to identify data points to validate a design’s success or failure, and the dials required to adjust accordingly
- Own the balance of your systems and how they work within the overall game progression goals, in collaboration with the principal system designer and analytics team
- Continuously play the game and contribute insights on how to improve it
- Collaborate with Mm’s design and engineering teams to navigate technical limitations and proactively identify risks, and roadblocks. Propose innovative solutions and present progress against quality, scope and game vision alignment goals
- Provide technical reference for the wider design team, evaluate features, settings and share best practices in production workflows
- Rapidly respond to and iterate on player feedback & telemetry to increase the quality of the player experience, whilst maintaining the vision of the game
- Champion a mindset of innovation and continuous improvement, proactively reviewing, improving and evolving Mm’s design tools, processes and pipelines
You will…
- Have hands on systems design experience and technical knowledge, including schema creation, in-engine implementation & tuning
- Be a strong critical and analytical thinker, with an eye for detail and opportunity, especially when it comes to tweaking the system or balancing for best effect
- Have shipped or worked on at least one AAA console game, built on a custom engine
- Economy balancing or modelling experience a bonus!
- Be a self-starter with the ability to self- motivate and thrive in an agile environment
- Have been through the User Testing process, championing it alongside data informed design
- Be a great collaborator and communicator – you thrive when talking to the team, solving problems together and sharing the output of your combined work in a playable build
This is a broad role that will appeal to experienced designers who enjoy thinking about psychology, UX, progression & pacing, as well as the ability to communicate clearly with designers, producers and engineers.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment 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, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.
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Senior Systems Designer - contractor until Jan 2027 employer: Sony Playstation
Contact Detail:
Sony Playstation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Systems Designer - contractor until Jan 2027
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Media Molecule's previous games, especially their design philosophies in titles like Dreams and LittleBigPlanet. Understanding their unique approach to systems design will help you align your ideas with their vision during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the gaming community and gather insights on player feedback regarding system designs in existing games. This knowledge can be invaluable when discussing how to improve player experiences and demonstrate your commitment to user-centric design.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with AAA console games, particularly focusing on any custom engines you've worked with. Highlight specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Media Molecule or PlayStation Studios. They can provide insider tips about the company culture and expectations, which can give you an edge in interviews and help you tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Systems Designer - contractor until Jan 2027
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Senior Systems Designer position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, such as systems design experience and collaboration with teams.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in systems design, particularly any work on AAA console games. Emphasise your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for game design and innovation. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, and express your enthusiasm for joining Media Molecule.
Showcase Your Portfolio: If applicable, include a portfolio of your previous work that demonstrates your systems design capabilities. Highlight any prototypes or user flows you've created, as well as examples of how you've responded to player feedback in past projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sony Playstation
✨Showcase Your Systems Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with systems design. Highlight specific projects where you've implemented robust and scalable systems, and be ready to explain how you identified edge cases and potential issues.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with design and engineering teams, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Emphasise your communication skills and how you approach problem-solving as a team.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to schema creation, in-engine implementation, and tuning. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be ready to discuss any AAA console games you've worked on, especially if they involved custom engines.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss your mindset towards innovation and continuous improvement. Be ready to provide examples of how you've iterated on designs based on player feedback and telemetry, and how you've contributed to enhancing the overall player experience.
