Senior Game Designer

Proxima is looking for a Senior Game Designer to take a leading role in the development of its next PC simulation game.

You'll help define the creative direction of the project while designing the interconnected systems, progression mechanics and economies that shape how players experience the game. This is a highly hands-on position for a designer who enjoys combining player psychology, systems thinking, mathematical modeling and direct implementation in Unity.

About Proxima

Proxima is an independent game studio founded by former Electronic Arts (EA) developers and headquartered in San Francisco.

The studio operates as a small, remote-first team built around autonomy and fast execution.

Its first title, Suck Up!, gained significant attention online, generating more than 300 million views through creators and social content. Proxima is now developing its second game, a PC title in the simulation genre.

What you'll be working on

As Senior Game Designer, you'll have significant influence over both the creative vision and underlying systems of the new game.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Helping establish the game's overall creative direction and core design pillars.
• Defining major gameplay mechanics and progression systems.
• Designing interconnected systems capable of producing emergent gameplay.
• Applying an understanding of player psychology to create engaging mechanics and progression.
• Building mathematical models behind progression curves, resources and in-game economies.
• Creating sophisticated spreadsheets to simulate, test and balance game systems.
• Prototyping ideas before moving them toward production.
• Implementing design solutions directly within Unity.
• Testing and balancing mechanics throughout development.
• Working with engineers to develop tools that make design and iteration faster.
• Taking features from initial concept through implementation and refinement.

Systems-driven game design

Proxima is particularly interested in designers who think in terms of systems and dynamic rules rather than predetermined sequences.

You'll need to understand how different variables and mechanics interact with one another and how relatively simple rules can combine to produce unexpected player behaviors and outcomes.

That requires both creative and analytical thinking: understanding what motivates players while also being able to model the numbers behind progression, resources and game economies.

What Proxima is looking for

You should have:

• 5+ years of professional game design experience.
• Experience taking at least one game from an early prototype through launch.
• Strong expertise in systems design.
• A deep understanding of player psychology and motivation.
• The ability to design interconnected mechanics that encourage emergent gameplay.
• Strong mathematical and analytical skills for balancing game systems.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills for modeling progression curves, resources and economies.
• Practical experience working directly in Unity.
• A solid understanding of game-engine systems.
• The ability to prototype and implement design ideas rather than only document them.
• Experience collaborating with engineers on tools and technical implementation.
• The independence required to operate effectively within a small, autonomous team.