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Lo-Fi Games is a small, busy, independent games studio based in Bristol, which prides itself on diversity and staff welfare. Our first game Kenshi has sold over two million copies worldwide and we’re now hard at work on the prequel - Kenshi 2.
We are looking for a Lead Level Designer to shape the world of Kenshi 2. You will own the layout, pacing, and environmental design of the game, helping to deliver a deeply reactive and non-linear survival experience.
This role will work closely with our CTO, who sets the vision and game design systems, and with our Producer, who leads planning and team delivery. You’ll help define the world’s structure and encounters, while ensuring every zone feels purposeful, discoverable, and full of emergent potential.
This is a hybrid role with occasional visits to our Central Bristol office required. The frequency of these visits will be agreed upon with the successful candidate and may vary based on business needs. Therefore, applicants should be based in the UK/EU or able to travel to Bristol when necessary.
Responsibilities
* Own world structure: Design the large-scale layout of the open world, including regions, biomes, routes, faction territories and points of interest.
* Drive emergent gameplay: Build level design that supports Kenshi’s systems — survival, stealth, ambushes, AI patrols, base-building, and player unpredictability.
* Environmental storytelling: Use terrain, ruins, towns, and locations to suggest lore and faction conflict without relying on dialogue or scripted story.
* Collaborate with systems design: Ensure your world layouts integrate smoothly with AI systems, pathfinding, resource placement, stealth and other game mechanics.
* Mentor and grow the level design discipline: Provide leadership, documentation, and feedback processes to scale future level design contributions.
* Work with Art and Programming teams: Ensure levels are performant, visually coherent, and technically feasible. Adjust layouts based on worldbuilding or engine constraints.
* Iterate and playtest: Regularly test in-game level experiences and refine based on feel, balance, and systemic interaction.
Requirements
* 5+ years experience as a Level Designer or World Designer on open world or sandbox games, ideally a shipped game or release.
* Proven experience as a Lead in managing team, workload and communication.
* Excellent understanding of non-linear level design, player agency, and encounter pacing.
* Able to design for emergent behaviors rather than fixed experiences.
* Comfortable owning content from greybox to final polish.
* Passion for creating gameplay spaces that feel harsh, lived-in, and explorable.
* Self-directed, but highly collaborative.
* Able to translate high-level direction into grounded, functional level design.
* Comfortable working with a small, agile team in a creative indie/AA environment.
* Familiarity with AI systems, simulation gameplay, or world terrain tools.
* Experience working with Unreal 5.
* Super flexible working - our core hours are between 12pm and 4pm (GMT)
* Relaxed environment with a strict company policy of no crunch
* Private WPA healthcare (UK PAYE Only)
* Excellent team welfare benefits and support
* Mental health support with Spill with two ‘no questions’ extra days off a year if you need it
* Free Merch!
* Regular, inclusive team socials, both in person and online
* Extra benefits for people who stick with us!
Lo-Fi Games is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We encourage a full range of diversity in our team and strongly encourage all people to apply, especially those from under-represented groups. We can also discuss anything you may need to achieve your full potential at any stage of the process. We assess your application solely on your demonstrated suitability for the job. Nothing else.
We are members of the Good Employment Charter and Safe In Our World.
To apply please send your CV and a covering statement detailing why you would like to work for us at Lo-Fi Games to jobs@lofigames.com. Please let us know if you have any access requirements regarding the application process itself by directly messaging jobs@lofigames.com.
Please note that all applicants must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.
Closing date of application is midnight, 17th August 2025 UTC+1. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you are interested, we’d encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
Application processing time is dependent on the volume received, though we do endeavour to respond to every applicant regardless of the outcome.
Please bear in mind that we are a small team and tend to receive large amounts of applications, so it can take us a little time to get through them.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
* Industries
Computer Games
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