Lead Gameplay Designer - Melee Combat

About the role

Flix, a game studio based just outside Birmingham, is looking for a Lead Gameplay Designer to own and develop a fluid, impactful melee combat experience inspired by titles such as Shadow of Mordor and God of War. The role covers combat from initial concepts through prototyping, production and final polish, combining creative ideas with a strong sense of timing, flow and game feel. It is a hands-on leadership role: you will initially lead by example during the prototype phase, with the potential to build and manage a design team as development grows. The position is fully remote and open to applicants who prefer to work from home; visa sponsorship is not available.

Key responsibilities

• Own combat design from paper concepts to final implementation, setting direction with the Game Director
• Build, test and refine combat in Unreal Engine with the Senior Technical Animator and programmers
• Design player movesets, abilities, enemy behaviours, bosses and encounters
• Tune attacks, combos, defensive actions, hit reactions and targeting for responsiveness, timing and spacing
• Shape animation timing and transitions with the Senior Technical Animator
• Balance combat for solo and co-op play, and keep it engaging with new enemies, abilities and encounters
• Prototype, playtest and iterate, and document designs clearly
• Help establish the combat design team, potentially recruiting, mentoring and managing designers

Required profile

• 7+ years of professional experience designing melee combat, including owning combat systems on at least one shipped title
• Experience designing and balancing multiplayer combat and co-op play
• Ability to lead from the front, take ownership and communicate clearly across disciplines
• Desirable: shipping a game with solo and co-op combat, mentoring or managing a design team, animation production and motion capture familiarity, and C++ experience

Required skills

• Expert practical knowledge of Unreal Engine, with strong Blueprint skills
• Strong understanding of Unreal's animation systems (Animation Blueprints, state machines, blend spaces, montages, root motion, motion matching, IK, Control Rig)
• Ability to tune animation timing and combat feel with animation specialists
• Desirable: Gameplay Ability System and networked gameplay systems

What we offer

• Private health and dental care
• 28 days annual leave plus additional leave over Christmas
• Team social events, two company-wide parties a year, and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Fully remote working (Europe) and flexible core hours
• GamePass or PS Plus subscription
• Work on market-leading titles with globally reputable partners in a growing independent studio

To apply, send a portfolio and cover letter, with examples of melee combat systems you have designed and implemented, ideally with footage from a shipped game.