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Lead Game Designer

Weta Workshop

Games Developer from New Zealand, Wellington

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Lead Game Designer
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Our Game Studio transforms ideas into the magic of play. From the beginning, we take a custodian’s approach that forms the foundation of the games and entertainment properties we create. As passionate, accomplished world-builders, we thrive on developing interactive stories that can be enjoyed by people around the world. With experience working on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and web browsers, our studio team knows the process inside out, from start to finish.

In 2012, Wētā Workshop formed its Game Studio to create the world’s first mixed-reality game, Dr. Grordbort’s Invaders. Set amongst rayguns, rocket ships and deadly robot miscreants imagined by our friend and colleague Greg Broadmore, we were approached by Rony Abovitz, founder of Florida-based company Magic Leap, to bring this extraordinary world into people’s homes. Following rave reviews on its release, we developed three more games: Dr. Grordbort’s Boosters, The Society of (NOT) Getting Along Nicely​ and Raygun Arena. Wētā Workshop has been nominated for both Visual Effects Society Awards and DICE Awards and has received a New Zealand Game Award and a Wellington Gold Award. 

Our next title is due for release in July 2025 - Tales of the Shire. In this storybook return to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, you live the cosy life of a Hobbit as you set forth in Bywater. Though not yet established as an official village, you’ll play a big part in helping the quaint town flourish. Greet comfort at the door as you decorate your own Hobbit-hole, tend to your garden, fish at clear ponds, forage wild fruits and herbs, and trade with townsfolks.   

Our workplace is flexible, inclusive, supportive ... and dog friendly!

Wētā Workshop’s Game Studio transforms ideas into the magic of play. We’re passionate world builders thriving on developing interactive stories that can be enjoyed by people the world over.

Our team are creative and tenacious – and we’re looking for a Lead Game Designer to join us.

Responsible for designing systems and features that deliver on the core vision of our games, the Lead Designer:

  • Helps ensure our games maintain exceptional quality across gameplay, environment design and storytelling
  • Oversees the development of game design documents
  • Leads and mentors the design team, including defining and assigning sprint goals

For more information, please see our job description here.

About you

You’ll need to have a solid background of professional game design behind you – with at least 2 shipped games where you were a senior or lead game designer. We’re looking for experience across varied game genres in PC and console, as well as someone who has worked with established IP and IP Holders.

This is a leadership role, so you’ll also need to have a proven ability to get the best out of your team. Technically, you’ll need to be comfortable in Unreal Engine and have prototype level competency in C++.

About us

When you join Weta Workshop’s Game Studio, you get to work with people passionate about the games they create and the impact they have – and have the opportunity to learn and grow. Flexible working options can be considered – a work-life balance is important to us.

Our leadership team values transparency, collective decision making and respect for our wider team. Multiple disciplines are represented, and expertise and experience are respected. 

We want our studio to reflect the diverse society we live in and welcome a range of experiences and perspectives. As a creative organisation, we know that inspiration and amazing things can be achieved by working with people who have a range of experiences, unique strengths, and perspectives. We strive to create a culture of belonging, where our team members feel welcome and supported and diversity is celebrated.

I’m keen - what next?

If you're ready to apply – please do! 

If you’d like to find out more information, you can contact us at recruitment@wetaworkshop.co.nz.

 

If we can do anything to accommodate you during the recruitment, please let us know in your application.

Applicants will need to undergo standard background checks as part of the recruitment process for this role.