Combat Designer – Associate, Mid-Level, Senior, Principal

Gunfire Games

Combat Designer focusing on creature design for upcoming titles at Gunfire Games. Implementing creature mechanics using Unreal Engine 5.

Posted 4/28/2026full-timeAustin • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $60,000 - $130,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Unreal Engine

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Conceptualize and implement compelling creature mechanics using Unreal Engine 5.
Help bring dynamic and memorable encounters to life.
Work in-engine, using tools such as state machines and Blueprints to implement and iterate on creature behaviors.
Provide a portfolio demonstrating relevant work in creature design or gameplay implementation.

Requirements

What you’ll need

0–2+ years of experience (professional, internship, or equivalent personal/indie work)
Foundational understanding of combat design, AI behaviors, or gameplay systems
Familiarity with Unreal Engine (UE4/UE5) and Blueprint scripting
Demonstrates potential through portfolio work, with a focus on implementation
Eagerness to learn, take feedback, and grow within a collaborative team.
2–5+ years of experience in combat or gameplay design
Portfolio demonstrating implemented creature behaviors and combat encounters
Strong working knowledge of Unreal Engine (UE4/UE5), including animation systems and state machines
Proficiency with Blueprint scripting to implement gameplay systems
Ability to own features from concept through iteration and polish
Solid understanding of combat feel, AI behaviors, and animation fundamentals
5+ years of professional experience in combat or systems design
Shipped at least one title with meaningful contribution to combat or AI systems
Deep understanding of creature design, combat mechanics, and player experience
Advanced experience with Unreal Engine systems, including optimization and technical constraints
Ability to lead features, mentor other designers, and drive quality across systems
Strong cross-disciplinary collaboration and problem-solving skills
8+ years of experience with a focus on combat systems or AI-driven gameplay
Multiple shipped titles with significant ownership of combat or creature systems
Proven ability to define and drive combat design vision at a system or project level
Establishes best practices, pipelines, and long-term direction for combat design
Mentors across the discipline and influences both creative and technical decision-making
Balances high-level vision with hands-on execution when needed

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Professional development opportunities
Flexible work arrangements

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

creature mechanicscombat designAI behaviorsgameplay systemsBlueprint scriptinganimation systemsstate machinesoptimizationtechnical constraintscombat feel

Soft Skills

eagerness to learntaking feedbackcollaborative teamproblem-solvingmentoringcross-disciplinary collaborationdriving qualitydefining visioninfluencing decision-makingbalancing vision with execution