Design Director, Systems - Diablo

**📍 Job Overview** - **Job Title:** Design Director, Systems - Diablo - **Company:** Blizzard Entertainment - **Location:** Albany, New York, United States; Irvine, California, United States - **Job Type:** Hybrid - **Category:** Design - **Date Posted:** June 5, 2025 - **Experience Level:** 10+ years **🎨 Role Summary** - Lead the design team for Diablo, overseeing game systems, player progression, and game balance. - Ensure alignment across teams and maintain a deep understanding of player motivations and community expectations. - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to facilitate smooth and effective collaboration. - Develop and communicate a clear, compelling vision for progression, social, gameplay, and balance systems. - Coordinate with departments to ensure design alignment and consistency within the player experience. - Maintain a deep understanding of Diablo’s core mechanics, player motivations, and community expectations. - Lead the creation and refinement of progression and reward structures, social engagement mechanics, competitive leaderboards, and economy systems. - Oversee the tuning and iteration of gameplay balance to ensure fair and engaging experiences at all levels of player skill and progression. - Provide mentorship, guidance, and career development to a team of experienced lead designers. - Represent Systems Design in cross-disciplinary leadership discussions, advocating effectively for team goals and player experience. **🖼 Primary Responsibilities** - Develop and communicate a clear, compelling vision for progression, social, gameplay, and balance systems. - Ensure design alignment across multiple teams, fostering consistency and cohesion within the player experience. - Coordinate across departments to facilitate smooth and effective cross-team collaboration. - Maintain a deep understanding of Diablo’s core mechanics, player motivations, and community expectations. - Lead the creation and refinement of progression and reward structures, social engagement mechanics, competitive leaderboards, and economy systems. - Oversee the tuning and iteration of gameplay balance to ensure fair and engaging experiences at all levels of player skill and progression. - Provide mentorship, guidance, and career development to a team of experienced lead designers. - Represent Systems Design in cross-disciplinary leadership discussions, advocating effectively for team goals and player experience. **🎓 Skills & Qualifications** - **Education:** Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or a related field. - **Experience:** 12+ years of professional systems design experience in games, with 4+ years leading design teams. - **Required Skills:** - Extensive, hands-on experience developing progression systems, game economies, social features, and balancing complex gameplay ecosystems in live-service games. - Deep understanding of the Diablo series, ARPG mechanics, player psychology, and what motivates player retention and satisfaction. - Exceptional analytical skills; able to clearly communicate complex systems and balance concepts to both designers and non-designers. - Proven track record managing and mentoring teams of experienced designers, demonstrating strong interpersonal and leadership skills. - Strong collaboration and communication skills with experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in a highly iterative environment. - Demonstrated passion for games, systems design, and staying current with industry trends and competitor strategies. - Dedication to quality, passion for gameplay, and a deep respect for the player’s experience. - Commitment to a culture of iteration, transparency, mentorship, and constant improvement. - **Preferred Skills:** - Experience navigating large organizations and maintaining clarity of vision across large-scale development efforts. - Technical familiarity with data-driven design tools and scripting languages. - Experience shipping multiple successful AAA ARPG or RPG titles. **🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements** - **Portfolio Essentials:** - A portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of Diablo’s core mechanics, player motivations, and community expectations. - Case studies demonstrating experience with progression systems, game economies, social features, and balancing complex gameplay ecosystems in live-service games. - Visual presentation techniques and design rationale articulation for complex systems and balance concepts. - **Process Documentation:** - Documentation of the research and discovery phase, including user interviews, data analysis, and player insights. - Ideation and iteration methods, including brainstorming sessions, prototyping, and user testing. - Validation and testing approaches, including A/B testing, data-driven design, and usability testing. **💵 Compensation & Benefits** - **Salary Range:** $124,400 - $230,300 per year (USD) - **Benefits:** - Medical, dental, and vision insurance - Health savings account or health reimbursement account - Life and AD&D insurance - Disability insurance - 401(k) with company match - Tuition reimbursement - Paid holidays and vacation - Paid sick time - Mental health and wellbeing programs - Fitness programs - Relocation assistance (if required) **🎯 Team & Company Context** - **Company & Design Culture:** - Blizzard Entertainment is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences, known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®. - The company values creativity, collaboration, and a passion for gameplay, with a commitment to quality and innovation. - **Team Structure:** - The Diablo design team consists of experienced lead designers, working closely with art, engineering, production, UX/UI, QA, and live operations teams. - The team follows a cross-functional, iterative development process, emphasizing transparency, mentorship, and continuous improvement. - **Methodology:** - Blizzard Entertainment uses a data-driven design approach, with a focus on user research, prototyping, and usability testing. - The company employs a mix of agile and waterfall methodologies, depending on the project and team needs. **📈 Career & Growth Analysis** - **Design Career Level:** Senior-level design role with significant influence on game systems, player progression, and overall game balance. - **Reporting Structure:** Reports directly to the Game Director or a similar role, depending on the organizational structure. - **Design Impact:** Significant impact on game systems, player experience, and overall game success, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure design alignment and consistency. **🌐 Work Environment** - **Studio Type:** Blizzard Entertainment offers a flexible hybrid work week, with a mix of remote and on-site days. - **Office Location(s):** Albany, New York, United States; Irvine, California, United States - **Design Workspace Context:** - Collaborative workspace with dedicated design areas, whiteboarding spaces, and team meeting rooms. - Access to industry-standard design tools, software, and technology. - A creative and engaging environment that fosters innovation and teamwork. **📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process** - **Design Interview Process:** - Phone or video screen with a design team member or HR representative. - On-site or virtual design challenge, focusing on progression systems, game economies, social features, and balancing complex gameplay ecosystems. - Final interview with the design team lead or hiring manager, focusing on cultural fit, leadership skills, and career aspirations. - **Portfolio Review Tips:** - Tailor the portfolio to showcase a strong understanding of Diablo’s core mechanics, player motivations, and community expectations. - Include case studies demonstrating experience with progression systems, game economies, social features, and balancing complex gameplay ecosystems in live-service games. - Highlight visual presentation techniques and design rationale articulation for complex systems and balance concepts. - **Challenge Preparation:** - Familiarize yourself with Diablo’s core mechanics, player motivations, and community expectations. - Practice presenting design concepts, balancing strategies, and progression systems using case studies and visual aids. - Prepare for questions about design process, collaboration, and leadership skills. **🛠 Tools & Technology Stack** - **Primary Design Tools:** - Blizzard Entertainment uses a mix of industry-standard design tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, and InVision. - The company also employs proprietary tools and software for game development and design collaboration. - **Collaboration & Handoff:** - Blizzard Entertainment uses tools like JIRA, Confluence, and Slack for cross-functional team collaboration and communication. - The company employs tools like Perforce and Git for version control and code management. - **Research & Testing:** - Blizzard Entertainment uses tools like SurveyMonkey, Google Analytics, and Tableau for user research, data analysis, and player insights. - The company employs tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, and proprietary engines for game development and testing. **👥 Team Culture & Values** - **Design Values:** - Blizzard Entertainment values creativity, collaboration, and a passion for gameplay, with a commitment to quality and innovation. - The company emphasizes a culture of iteration, transparency, mentorship, and continuous improvement. - **Collaboration Style:** - Blizzard Entertainment fosters a cross-functional, collaborative environment, with a focus on open communication, active listening, and constructive feedback. - The company encourages team members to contribute ideas, share knowledge, and support each other’s growth and development. - **Challenges & Growth Opportunities:** - Blizzard Entertainment offers opportunities for professional growth, including mentorship programs, skill development workshops, and career advancement paths. - The company encourages team members to take on new challenges, learn from failures, and continuously improve their skills and abilities. **💡 Interview Preparation** - **Design Process Questions:** - Prepare for questions about design process, collaboration, and leadership skills, focusing on progression systems, game economies, social features, and balancing complex gameplay ecosystems. - Practice presenting design concepts, balancing strategies, and progression systems using case studies and visual aids. - **Company Culture Questions:** - Research Blizzard Entertainment’s company culture, values, and design philosophy. - Prepare questions about the design team, company goals, and growth opportunities. - **Portfolio Presentation Strategy:** - Tailor the portfolio presentation to showcase a strong understanding of Diablo’s core mechanics, player motivations, and community expectations. - Include case studies demonstrating experience with progression systems, game economies, social features, and balancing complex gameplay ecosystems in live-service games. - Highlight visual presentation techniques and design rationale articulation for complex systems and balance concepts. **📌 Application Steps** - To apply for this design position, submit your application through the provided link. - Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight relevant design skills, tools, and methodologies. - Prepare for design challenges and interview questions by reviewing the job description, researching the company, and practicing your presentation skills. - Showcase your passion for games, systems design, and staying current with industry trends and competitor strategies. - Demonstrate your dedication to quality, passion for gameplay, and a deep respect for the player’s experience.