Hybrid Lead Systems Designer, Diablo

at Blizzard Entertainment

• Job title: Lead Systems Designer, Diablo
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: $97,200 - $179,900 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Irvine, United States

About the role

• Lead Systems Designer shaping Diablo universe through core game systems and player progression. Collaborate with design teams and provide mentorship within Blizzard.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evolve the vision for Diablo systems, player progression, and itemization in collaboration with design leadership.
• Lead the creation and refinement of character progression, itemization, reward structures, and game economy.
• Collaborate closely with cross-discipline teams to solve design problems, navigate production constraints, and efficiently deliver high-quality systems and features.
• Maintain a deep understanding of Diablo’s core mechanics, player motivations, and community expectations to inform system evolution.
• Partner with Production and other leads to scope, plan, and organize the systems team’s schedule.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and career development to a team of Systems Designers.

Requirements

• 8+ years of professional game design experience, with 5+ years in systems design.
• 2+ years of experience leading and managing a team of designers.
• Extensive hands-on experience building and maintaining progression systems, itemization, game economies, endgame loops, and balancing complex gameplay ecosystems in live-service games.
• Strong understanding of the Diablo franchise and isometric ARPGs, including what drives long-term engagement and player satisfaction.
• Exceptional analytical and communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex systems and balance concepts to both designers and non-designers.
• Proven ability to translate game direction and vision into scalable, shippable systems.
• Demonstrated passion for games, systems design, and staying current with industry trends and competitor offerings.
• Dedication to quality, passion for gameplay, and a deep respect for the player experience.
• Commitment to a culture of collaboration, iteration, transparency, mentorship, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others
• Relocation assistance if required to move geographic locations for the job.