Game Designer (Junior - Mid Level) Cardiff
Please note that this is a hybrid position based in Cardiff, requiring 3 days onsite each week, with the option for remote work on the remaining days.
Part of the Rocket Science Group, Atomic Theory comprises a multinational team of seasoned AAA veterans with roots extending from Blizzard, PUBG, Epic, and Unity. We have a track record of delivering player-centric, AAA-quality experiences, and we're unwavering in our commitment to performance, accessibility, and the meticulous attention to the engineering tools and frameworks that underpin exceptional gameplay.
But Atomic Theory is also more than just a studio; for us, it's a sanctuary, a place where our diverse experiences can intersect and combine to carry our solutions to the next level. We're dedicated to aiding studios and publishers in navigating the toughest challenges across today's game development landscape -- and with offices in Albany, NY; and Cardiff, UK, we thrive at the opportunity to Get Sh!t Done on a global scale.
Our passion for gaming is at the core of everything we do, inspiring us to collaborate seamlessly. We're not afraid to take on big challenges and push for bold, innovative solutions. Every decision we make is guided by the goal of delivering maximum value and creating a significant, positive impact on our projects. By consistently going above and beyond, we transform every interaction into an exceptional partnership, building trust and delivering excellence.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
As an Game Designer, you’re a hands-on contributor who owns small-to-mid gameplay features from concept through polish. You act as a champion for your features and the game, collaborating closely with engineers, artists, producers, and clients to deliver high-quality player experiences.
You’ll identify potential issues early, iterate quickly based on feedback, and make features feel right for players. While you won’t typically own entire systems solo, you’ll be the go-to designer for feature implementation, documentation, workflow improvements, and quality assurance.
You are comfortable using visual scripting, blueprint logic, and text-based scripting, and flexible with tools and pipelines to build, iterate, and refine content efficiently. You approach design proactively, solving problems before they impact the player experience.
Our ideal candidate is a designer who is passionate about game design, skilled in core fundamentals, proactive in execution, and confident in taking ownership of their work.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Own small-to-mid gameplay features or components from prototype to polish, iterating based on playtests, data, and feedback.
Work closely with internal teams and external clients to design, implement, and maintain features to a high level of quality.
Spot and solve design issues early—from quest logic and progression systems to balance and usability.
Use visual scripting, blueprint logic, or text-based scripting (C++/C#) to prototype, implement, iterate, or fix features.
Write clear, structured documentation for systems, mechanics, tools, and balancing processes.
Use engine and client tools to tune gameplay features, identify requirements, and maintain high-quality delivery.Collaborate cross-disciplinarily to ensure smooth integration of features into the live build.
Identify risks and propose smart solutions to keep deadlines and milestones on track.
WHAT WE VALUE:
3–5 years of professional game design experience.
At least one shipped commercial title (AAA or indie).
Solid understanding of core design fundamentals, including player psychology, progression systems, and gameplay loops.
Experience with Unreal Engine, Unity, or similar engines.
Comfortable owning features end-to-end, from prototype to polish.
Hands-on problem solver who identifies design gaps and proactively implements solutions.
Strong written and verbal communication; able to clearly explain design decisions and document systems.
Passion for games and a keen sense of what makes players engaged and motivated.
Thrives in collaborative environments but can also work autonomously to deliver value.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER:
Competitive Salary and Benefits Package: Your health and wellbeing is important to us, so we offer a variety of benefits including:
Private Pension via Salary Sacrifice
Optional Private Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays and Winter Break Office Closure
Hybrid Working Arrangement: Our office in Cardiff is located right in City Centre, just a couple minutes away from the Cardiff Central Train Station! As a member of our team, you’ll have the flexibility to work at home and collaborate with your fellow team mates in person.
Annual Research Credit: We always encourage personal growth, so we provide all of our team members with an annual credit to further enhance your skills!
Professional Development: We offer biannual reviews, as well as opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, internal tech talks, and the chance to learn from specialists with backgrounds from across the games and software development industries.
Work-Life Balance: We really believe that home life comes first and we promote a flexible working environment. And as an added bonus: We don’t crunch!
Family Friendly: We understand the importance of family, which is why we offer 6 weeks full of Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave to support you during this exciting time!
Office Perks: In addition to everything above, we also provide:
Weekly Team Lunches
Snacks, Including the Good (Yorkshire) Tea
Fully Equipped Team Lounge, Including our Favourite Consoles and Games
And, most importantly, a supportive and creative working environment made up of talented and friendly people, as well as the opportunity to work on some pretty cool games and projects – if we do say so ourselves!
A FRIENDLY NOTE FROM THE RECRUITMENT TEAM:
Let us do the work for you: Even if your profile isn’t an exact match for all of the qualifications listed above, we still want you to apply. Our team members come from a variety of different industries, not all of which are immediately relevant to game or software development, and we welcome all candidates of similarly varied backgrounds, communities, and identities.
Rocket Science is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a worry-free workplace void of discrimination or harassment. Rocket Scientists are expected to foster and champion an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to feel included and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve.
Rocket Science does not accept unsolicited résumés from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms.
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