[Remote] Senior Systems Designer - RuneScape: Dragonwilds - Fixed Term Contract at Jagex

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Gaming, MMOIndustries

Requirements

Proven experience designing and maintaining systems in a live MMO, multiplayer survival, or similar large-scale game
Demonstrable professional games industry experience working autonomously in a system design role, ideally on multiplayer or live-service titles
Proven experience designing and balancing interconnected gameplay systems
Expertise in progression, economy, and crafting systems, with an analytical and data-informed mindset
Strong understanding of MMO design principles, including economy loops, player progression, and emergent gameplay
An analytical mindset, combining data insights, player psychology, and design intuition
Collaborative, communicative, and comfortable working across multiple teams and disciplines to translate creative direction into functional, scalable systems
Deep familiarity with MMO design principles: economy loops, player-driven progression, and emergent play

Responsibilities

Design and own core scalable systems for a large-scale multiplayer, live service experience, including progression, resource management, economy, skills, and more
Build interconnected systems that reinforce RuneScape’s identity: freedom of playstyle, mastery, and player-driven choices
Prototype, test, and iterate to balance survival challenge with fairness and long-term reward
Integrate systems across content, engineering, and art to ensure consistency and immersion
Use data, analytics, and player feedback to tune systems and maintain live balance
Define and evolve survival mechanics such as crafting, durability, hunger, weather, and resource scarcity
Balance risk, reward, and progression pacing to maintain tension and engagement over time
Mentor junior designers, providing guidance on systemic thinking and design fundamentals
Collaborate with live-ops and production to support updates, expansions, and system evolution
Identify and resolve system-level issues or exploits before they impact the live environment
Advocate for player experience and RuneScape’s values across the team
Contribute to creative innovation while honouring the feel and history of the RuneScape universe
Operate autonomously with strong ownership and clear design intent
Continually seek new ways to improve systems, pipelines, and team collaboration

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Unreal Engine 5Systems DesignGame BalancingPrototypingData AnalyticsPlayer FeedbackMultiplayer DesignSurvival MechanicsCrafting SystemsEconomy DesignProgression SystemsResource Management

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this role remote or does it require office work?

The role is remote within the UK, with team onsite days in the Cambridge office approximately 4 times per year.

What is the duration of this contract position?

This is a Fixed Term Contract anticipated to end mid-late 2027.

What experience is required for this Senior Systems Designer role?

Proven experience designing and maintaining systems in a live MMO, multiplayer survival, or similar large-scale game is required, along with demonstrable professional games industry experience working autonomously in a system design role, ideally on multiplayer or live-service titles, and proven experience designing and balancing interconnected gameplay systems.

What salary or compensation does this role offer?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

A strong candidate has deep familiarity with MMO design principles like economy loops, player-driven progression, and emergent play, plus experience owning scalable systems in live multiplayer games and the ability to work autonomously while mentoring juniors.

Jagex

Develops and maintains online multiplayer games

About Jagex

Jagex develops and maintains online games that continuously evolve with new content and updates, known as "living games." Their most famous title is RuneScape, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that attracts a diverse player base, from casual gamers to dedicated enthusiasts. Players can access basic features for free or choose a premium membership for additional content and benefits. Jagex also offers in-game purchases for virtual items and enhancements. What sets Jagex apart from competitors is its strong focus on community engagement and player feedback, which helps improve their games and foster loyalty among players. The company's goal is to create immersive gaming experiences while also supporting mental health initiatives for young people through charitable partnerships.

Cambridge, United KingdomHeadquarters

2001Year Founded

BUYOUTCompany Stage

Social Impact, GamingIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Risks

New survival game development may divert resources from existing projects.

Macarthur Fortune Holding acquisition could lead to strategic shifts alienating players.

Focus on non-Runescape projects might impact RuneScape's quality and support.

Differentiation

Jagex specializes in 'living games' that evolve with continuous updates.

RuneScape, Jagex's flagship game, has a large and dedicated player base.

Jagex emphasizes community engagement and player feedback for game improvements.

Upsides

Increased interest in survival games benefits Jagex's new RuneScape universe game.

Unreal Engine 5 use aligns with trends for high-fidelity graphics and player retention.

Macarthur Fortune Holding acquisition provides resources for expansion and innovation.

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