Character Designer

Role overview

This opportunity is for a Character Designer in Ireland, working remotely for a partner company in the games industry. The position focuses on creating memorable, gameplay-first characters that sit at the heart of an ambitious video game project. The selected designer will shape characters that are visually distinctive and tightly connected to combat systems, abilities, and the overall player experience.

The role is highly collaborative and hands-on, with close day-to-day interaction across animation, gameplay programming, and design. Work will span the full character development journey, from early concepts through prototyping, production, balancing, and final release. The ideal person will enjoy combining artistic creativity with gameplay function, and will be comfortable in an iterative environment that values testing, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Create and evolve characters with a strong gameplay focus, making sure they fit naturally into combat systems and the player journey.
• Spot opportunities for compelling gameplay through character kits, abilities, and mechanics.
• Work closely with animators, programmers, and designers to prototype and implement combat-related features.
• Carry character concepts from initial ideation all the way through production and in-game delivery.
• Develop and tune combat systems, weapons, abilities, and character-specific mechanics with attention to balance and engagement.
• Use playtest feedback, analytics, and gameplay data to refine and strengthen character designs.
• Support practical prototyping with engineering and design teams, including Unreal Engine-based workflows.
• Document design intent, system behavior, and iteration changes clearly for the wider team.
• Help preserve character identity, gameplay readability, and consistency across the overall experience.
• Keep improving designs based on testing, balancing, and live or playtest insights.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years' experience as a Character Designer or in a closely related role on shipped game projects.
• Demonstrated ability to take character work from concept stage through to production and release.
• Strong enthusiasm for third-person action games and combat-centered systems.
• Solid understanding of character design fundamentals, including strengths, weaknesses, counterplay, and game balance.
• A portfolio showing original character work that is thematic and clearly tied to gameplay.
• Experience in iterative, prototype-led development settings.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5, including Blueprint-based prototyping for abilities or gameplay features.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with animators, engineers, and cross-functional game teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain design choices clearly.
• Strong interest in gameplay systems and the way character design shapes player engagement.
• Comfort with fast iteration and feedback-driven work in a creative environment.

Benefits

• Work remotely with flexibility to operate from nearly any location.
• Enjoy generous paid time off.
• Benefit from extra studio closures during summer and winter holidays, separate from PTO.
• Access private medical and dental coverage.
• Receive private mental health support.
• Get an annual allowance for health and wellbeing.
• Be eligible for a discretionary bonus tied to studio performance.
• Home workspace equipment is provided at a high standard.
• Experience a flexible, trust-based culture that prioritizes outcomes over hours.
• Work in an environment that values autonomy, creativity, and ownership.
• Join an inclusive team culture focused on collaboration and continuous craft improvement.

Additional information

This position is managed by a partner company, which handles applications and all subsequent hiring steps. The review process uses AI-assisted matching to compare candidates against the core role requirements before a shortlist is shared with the hiring employer. Final decisions, including interviews and assessments, are made by the employer's internal team.

Data privacy and hiring process notice

By applying, you acknowledge that your personal data may be processed to evaluate your candidacy and shared with the hiring employer as part of the recruitment process, under applicable data protection laws including GDPR. You may exercise rights such as access, rectification, erasure, and objection at any time. AI tools may also be used to support parts of the hiring workflow, such as application review, resume analysis, or response assessment, but final hiring decisions are made by humans.