Principal Game Designer
Zynga · Austin, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $152,780 / year
- Austin, TX
Job highlights
- Design and develop new mobile game systems.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on features.
- Create documentation and balance game content.
- Analyze player feedback and game metrics.
- Advance game design practices and methodologies.
About the role
Principal Game Designer at Zynga
Level Up Your Career with Zynga! At Zynga, we bring people together through the power of play. As a global leader in interactive entertainment and a proud label of Take-Two Interactive, our games have been downloaded over 6 billion times—connecting players in 175+ countries through fun, strategy, and a little friendly competition.
From thrilling casino spins to epic strategy battles, mind-bending puzzles, and social word challenges, our diverse game portfolio has something for everyone. Fan-favorites and latest hits include FarmVille™, Words With Friends™, Zynga Poker™, Game of Thrones Slots Casino™, Wizard of Oz Slots™, Hit it Rich! Slots™, Wonka Slots™, Top Eleven™, Toon Blast™, Empires & Puzzles™, Merge Dragons!™, CSR Racing™, Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells™, Match Factory™, and Color Block Jam™—plus many more! Founded in 2007 and headquartered in California, our teams span North America, Europe, and Asia, working together to craft unforgettable gaming experiences. Whether you're spinning, strategizing, matching, or competing, Zynga is where fun meets innovation—and where you can take your career to the next level. Join us and be part of the play!
Position Overview
Zynga is looking for an experienced Principal Systems Designer to work on one of our new mobile games. This role leads and participates in direct design and creative input on content and system design in the game.
What You'll Do
- Create or adapt game features and large scale systems to work with the game
- Write user experience stories and design documentation for new features and systems
- Own, drive, and collaborate with other disciplines for system development
- Work closely with other disciplines to design and prototype new gameplay and systems
- Create flexible sheets and models to balance sophisticated systems
- Design and balance content for new systems
- Create and improve tools to make the design pipeline faster and more efficient for the team
- Be the advocate of good design practices across the studio
- Pitch new ideas to the team/ lead brainstorming sessions
- Analyze real-time feedback and metrics, and adjust game designs accordingly while maintaining live game balance
- Remain up-to-date with Game Design literature and standard methodologies to be an evangelist for the craft of Game Design
What You Bring
- At least 6 years' relevant experience
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Expert with math, levels, and formulas in game environment
- Possesses an extensive knowledge of games and strategies
- Solid knowledge of game balancing and pacing
- Translates direct consumer insights, market data, and analysis into creative design solutions
- Passionate gamer
- 2+ shipped games
What We Offer You
Zynga offers a world-class benefits package that helps support and balance the needs of our teams. To find out more about our benefits, visit the Zynga Benefits site
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,200 and $182,360 per 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 this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, which means we are committed to creating and celebrating diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds throughout our organization. Employment with us is based on substantive ability, objective qualifications, and work ethic – not an individual’s race, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offenses, reproductive health decision, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing the necessary support and accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or impairments (subject to any local qualifying requirements) to ensure their full participation in the job application or interview process. Please contact us at accommodationrequest@zynga.com to request any accommodations or for support related to your application for an open position.
Please be aware that Zynga does not conduct job interviews or make job offers over third-party messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or others. Zynga also does not engage in any financial exchanges during the recruitment or onboarding process, and will never ask a candidate for their personal or financial information over an app or other unofficial chat channel. Any attempt to do so may be the result of a scamp or phishing attack, and you should not engage. Zynga’s in-house recruitment team will only contact individuals through their official Company email addresses (i.e., via a zynga.com, take2games.com, naturalmotion.com, smallgiantgames.com, themavens.com, gram.gs email domain).
Key skills/competency
- Game Design
- Systems Design
- Content Design
- Game Balancing
- User Experience (UX) Design
- Game Development
- Prototyping
- Data Analysis
- Mentorship
- Game Economy
Skills & topics
- Principal Game Designer
- Game Design
- Systems Design
- Game Development
- Mobile Games
- Game Balancing
- Content Design
- User Experience
- Game Economy
- Zynga
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 6+ years of experience, shipped games, and expertise in game math and balancing for the Principal Game Designer role.
- Showcase your passion: Emphasize your extensive knowledge of games, strategies, and consumer insights in your application.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your game design philosophy, experience with systems and content design, and how you analyze feedback.
- Research Zynga: Understand their diverse game portfolio, company values, and commitment to player engagement.
- Network strategically: Connect with Zynga's hiring team on LinkedIn and inquire about the Principal Game Designer position.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for a Principal Game Designer at Zynga?
- The estimated salary range for a Principal Game Designer at Zynga in California is between $123,200 and $182,360 per year, with the final offer dependent on factors like experience and location.
- What are the key responsibilities for a Principal Game Designer at Zynga?
- Key responsibilities include creating and adapting game features and systems, writing design documentation, collaborating with other disciplines, balancing content, and analyzing player feedback to improve game designs.
- What experience is required for the Principal Game Designer role at Zynga?
- The role requires at least 6 years of relevant experience, including experience with game math, balancing, and pacing, as well as having at least 2 shipped games.
- How can I highlight my game design skills for this role at Zynga?
- You can highlight your skills by showcasing your expertise in game math, balancing, user experience stories, and your ability to translate consumer insights into creative design solutions.
- Does Zynga offer remote work for Principal Game Designers?
- The job description implies a headquarters in California and teams across continents, suggesting a hybrid or on-site model. Specific remote work options would need to be confirmed directly with Zynga's recruitment team.
- What benefits does Zynga offer to its employees?
- Zynga offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(K) plan, Employee Stock Purchase Program, paid holidays, vacation, sick days, parental leave, and wellness programs.
- How does Zynga ensure a fair hiring process for the Principal Game Designer position?
- Zynga is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. They base employment on qualifications and work ethic, and provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities, with contact information for requests available.
- What should I know about Zynga's game portfolio before applying for the Principal Game Designer role?
- Zynga has a diverse portfolio including titles like FarmVille™, Words With Friends™, and Zynga Poker™. Understanding these games will demonstrate your familiarity with their product range.