Job Description
cFocus Software is seeking an experienced
Video Game Designer with 8+ years of expertise to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing innovative and engaging video games that support DHS's mission, including training simulations, interactive scenarios, and strategic exercises. You will collaborate with a team of designers, developers, and stakeholders to create immersive, functional, and high-impact games that facilitate skill development, preparedness, and situational awareness within the department.
As a
Video Game Designer , you will design core features, including game mechanics, storylines, and character biographies, and ensure that design concepts are executed successfully in collaboration with production staff. Your work will play a critical role in advancing DHS's objectives through innovative gaming technologies.
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: Due to the nature of this role, candidates must possess or be able to obtain the required security clearance.
Job Tags
Full time,