Game Designer

Who We Are

Founded in 2023, Small Axe Studios is 2K’s newest stand-alone studio, built to push the boundaries of game development and bring 2K’s next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. Headquartered in Burnaby, we are assembling a world-class team of visionaries, builders, and passionate gamers who thrive on creative collaboration, technical excellence, and bold ideas. At Small Axe Studios, we believe big things start with sharp focus—and we’re crafting an exceptional, player-first experience from the ground up. If you’re ready to tackle unique challenges, leave your mark on a brand-new IP, and help shape the future of interactive sports entertainment, we want you on our team!

What We Need

Our studio is looking for a thoughtful and detail-oriented Systems Designer to help shape the foundation of our player experience. In this role, you ll contribute to the design, balancing, and implementation of gameplay systems that bring depth, dynamism, and replayability to our game. As part of the Core Fantasy team, you’ll work closely with senior systems designers, engineers, producers, and other stakeholders to bring systemic features to life that support player freedom, progression, and agency. This is an exciting opportunity to grow as a designer while contributing to a large-scale sports game with an ambitious and player-driven vision. The Systems Designer will report to the Lead Designer (Core Fantasy) and collaborate regularly with feature teams across the studio.

What You’ll Do

Design Core Gameplay Systems

Support the development of game systems such as progression, economy, rewards, player stats, and game modes (Help balance gameplay loops, and related systemic mechanics)

Work within an established vision to help translate high-level goals into clear, scalable systems

Own discrete systems or subsystems, and take them from concept to implementation

Balance and Tune for Engagement

Help balance gameplay loops, player progression, in-game currencies, and related systemic mechanics

Adjust tuning values based on feedback, metrics, and playtest results

Analyze and model systemic outcomes to maintain a healthy gameplay economy

Partner with Cross-Functional Teams

Collaborate with engineers, artists, and other designers to prototype, implement, and iterate systems

Contribute to scoping and feature planning discussions with producers and project leads

Ensure systems integrate cleanly with other game areas such as gameplay, UI, and content pipelines

Document and Communicate Design

Create clear and comprehensive documentation for system logic, flows, and tuning guidelines

Maintain design specs and balance sheets to support clarity and iteration

Present your designs in team reviews and be open to feedback and collaboration

Champion Systemic Play

Contribute to the game s player-driven and emergent storytelling through robust systems

Help ensure the systems empower player expression, decision-making, and meaningful trade-offs

Bring a player-first mindset to design discussions and problem solving

What Will Make You A Great Fit

3–5 years of experience in game design, with a focus on systems design

Experience designing and tuning game systems such as progression, stats, or in-game economies

Solid understanding of balancing principles, player motivations, and systemic interaction

Strong analytical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills

Passion for sports games and/or systemic gameplay

Comfortable working with spreadsheets and design tools for balance and documentation Positive, proactive attitude and willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment

Beneficial Qualifications

Experience working on sports games or simulations

Familiarity with live service design, balancing for long-term engagement, or seasonal models

Experience with scripting or configuration in a game engine (e.g., Unreal Blueprint, Unity, proprietary tools)

Exposure to telemetry-driven design and KPI-informed iteration

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.

The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD $62,800 and CAD $92,920per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for employees in regular roles may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, provided that temporary or intern roles will not be eligible for many of these payments or benefits. Details of participation in compensation and benefit plans (if applicable) will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews, and when emailing, we only use 2K.com accounts.

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