Principal Combat Designer

This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. We are currently looking for a Principal Combat Designer in Netherlands.

This is a senior creative and technical design opportunity focused on shaping the core combat experience of a high-quality online multiplayer game. In this role, you will define, refine, and elevate combat mechanics that directly impact how players engage, compete, and enjoy the game moment-to-moment. You will collaborate closely with directors and cross-disciplinary leads to translate high-level vision into finely tuned gameplay systems. The position requires a strong balance of creative instinct and technical precision, ensuring combat feels responsive, intuitive, and deeply engaging. You will act as a key advocate for the player experience, ensuring design decisions consistently prioritize clarity, fairness, and fun. This is a highly collaborative environment where iteration, communication, and gameplay excellence are central to success.

Accountabilities

Collaborate with the Design Director and other design leads to define and execute the overall vision for combat systems in a competitive online multiplayer environment.Design and implement advanced player combat mechanics, including weapons, abilities, and core gameplay interactions.Work closely with art, engineering, and other discipline leads to ensure alignment on gameplay systems before and during development.Continuously advocate for the player experience, ensuring combat design decisions prioritize clarity, engagement, and enjoyment.Prototype, iterate, and refine combat systems to achieve a high level of polish, balance, and responsiveness.Contribute to the design and improvement of gameplay features across characters, ensuring consistency and depth in combat interactions.Support the development process by identifying risks, solving complex design problems, and improving gameplay clarity through iteration and feedback.

Requirements

Proven experience working as a senior or principal designer on at least two shipped AAA titles, with a focus on gameplay or combat systems.Strong expertise in combat design, mechanics design, and gameplay systems within modern AAA or multiplayer games.Advanced proficiency with game design tools and strong hands-on experience with Unreal Engine (UE5 preferred).Deep understanding of core gameplay systems such as combat loops, player abilities, weapons design, and balance frameworks.Strong creative thinking combined with excellent technical problem-solving abilities.Ability to clearly communicate design intent across multiple disciplines, including engineering and art teams.Strong collaborative mindset with experience working in cross-functional, iterative development environments.Player-first mindset with a strong belief in clarity, accessibility, and engaging gameplay design.Solid understanding of industry trends and modern combat systems in contemporary games.

Benefits

Fully remote work model with flexibility to work from almost anywhere.Generous paid time off allowance.Dedicated summer and winter studio closure periods in addition to standard PTO.Private medical and dental healthcare coverage.Private mental health support program.Annual health and wellbeing allowance.Discretionary studio performance bonus.Top-tier home office equipment provided.Flexible and autonomy-driven culture focused on output rather than hours worked.Strong emphasis on work-life balance, transparency, and trust.Inclusive, collaborative studio culture focused on creativity, improvement, and craft excellence.

How Jobgether Works

We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Why Apply Through Jobgether?

Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.