Video Game Designer

Key Responsibilities:

• Game Design & Conceptualization:
• Design and conceptualize core features of video games, including innovative game mechanics, narratives, role-playing elements, and character development.
• Define the storylines, environments, character biographies, and gameplay rules, ensuring they align with DHS's goals, mission, and operational requirements.
• Create and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including detailed game design documents, narrative scripts, and technical specifications.
• Integrate gamification techniques into the design to ensure engagement, immersion, and realism for training exercises and simulations.
• Collaboration & Teamwork:
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams including producers, developers, artists, and engineers to ensure designs are accurately implemented in the final product.
• Guide and provide creative leadership to production teams to maintain consistency and quality throughout the development process.
• Regularly collaborate with DHS subject matter experts to align game content with real-world operational needs and scenarios, ensuring the educational and practical effectiveness of the games.
• Production & Game Mechanics:
• Design and specify innovative game mechanics that enhance realism, interactivity, and user experience, particularly in complex simulations and scenarios.
• Ensure the seamless integration of game mechanics with user interfaces, animation, sound, and visual elements.
• Test and refine game features, making adjustments to gameplay, balance, and difficulty based on internal feedback and user testing.
• Documentation & Reporting:
• Maintain up-to-date design documentation to ensure clarity of development goals, milestones, and implementation strategies.
• Produce design reports and updates for key stakeholders, ensuring alignment between design objectives and project timelines.
• Document and troubleshoot game features, ensuring that all systems and components are functioning as intended.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement:
• Stay current with industry trends, game design methodologies, and emerging technologies to incorporate the latest advancements into the design process.
• Continuously improve and refine game design processes and standards to enhance the overall quality and impact of the final product.
• Testing & Quality Control:
• Collaborate with QA testers to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve game design issues, ensuring the final product meets DHS's quality standards.
• Conduct user testing and gather feedback to improve gameplay and ensure the game’s usability and effectiveness.

Qualifications:

• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Interactive Media, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Experience:
• 8+ years of experience in video game design or a related field, including experience designing, developing, and launching interactive or serious games.
• Proven experience in designing core features of games, such as mechanics, storylines, and characters, from concept to completion.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams in the game development process, including production staff, developers, and artists.
• Experience in designing games for training, simulation, or strategic exercises is a plus, particularly for government or defense sectors.
• Skills & Competencies:
• Expertise in game design principles, storytelling, and character development.
• Strong knowledge of game mechanics, systems design, and level design.
• Proficiency with game design and development software (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, or other game development tools).
• Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., C#, C++, or Python) and game development pipelines.
• Ability to create and maintain detailed documentation, including design documents, flowcharts, and technical specifications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate requirements into creative game solutions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• A passion for gaming, innovative game design, and creating immersive experiences.
• Certifications (Preferred):
• Certification in Game Design or Interactive Media from a recognized institution.
• Familiarity with simulation-based training, serious gaming, or educational technologies.

Security Clearance: