full-time . October 29, 2026

Description

ARCANAUT STUDIOS

Senior Encounter Designer

FULL-TIME | BC OR ALBERTA

(REMOTE FRIENDLY)

OUR ARC

Arcanaut Studios is a team of seasoned developers founded on the axiom that creative freedom and independence lead to better, more cutting-edge games. We believe in the power of small, agile teams.We are decision makers with consistent collaboration across disciplines that drive the project vision and create a seamless player experience.

Arcanaut Studios is a Canadian company with offices in Edmonton, AB and Kelowna, BC.We offer a flexible work environment combining from-home, in-office, and remote work as well as competitive industry compensation and benefits. By joining us, you will be welcomed into a diverse team of talented developers creating an immersive universe of story, character, and discovery.

YOUR ARC

As a Senior Encounter Designer, you will initiate and help define the end-to-end player experience for combat and narrative driven scenarios.You will orchestrate the intersection of enemy AI behavior, level geometry, player progression and narrative triggers to build high-stake, deeply tactical encounters.From isolated skirmishes to multi-stage epic boss battles, you ensure every fight tells a story and pushes the player to master the game’s mechanics.

Responsibilities

- Design, build, and script combat spaces and enemy placements using internal tools and UE5, implementing logical triggers for enemy waves, and tactical AI behaviors
- Design and balance creatures with distinct combat identities, using readable silhouettes, clear attack telegraphs, and behaviors that reward player mastery of core mechanics.




- Work hand in hand with level designers and gameplay designers to ensure environmental layouts offer strategic positioning and with AI/Combat systems to refine enemy archetypes, abilities and readable telegraphing
- Establish the macro-pacing of missions and hubs, balancing high intensity combat with exploration, quiet narrative moments and puzzles
- Create layered combat scenarios that reward diverse playstyles
- Build gray-box encounter spaces to rapid test combat recipes and enemy group synergies, proving out fun factors

Qualifications and Experience

- 5+ years of experience in game design, specifically focused on combat or encounter design on at least one shipped AAA action adventure or RPG title
- Strong hands-on experience scripting complex game logic using scripting tools and Unreal Engine 5
- A deep understanding of RPG mechanics, including character attributes, itemization, cooldown economies, crowd-control states and progression scaling
- Excellent spatial awareness with the ability to conceptualize how 3D environment layouts affect sightlines, flanking opportunities, and play movement choices
- Strong verbal and written documentation skills to clearly communicate complex mechanical ideas and to establish best practices

BENEFITS

- We offer a rewards package to help you live your best life while doing your best work, including medical and dental coverage, retirement savings contributions and a Flex Benefit program that has a wide array of coverage to best fit your personal situation.
- We offer 3 weeks of vacation per year in addition to summer and winter studio breaks that are each two weeks long.

Compensation

The hiring range for this position is $96,890 – $173,975 in addition to a bi-yearly performance-based bonus. The base pay may vary depending on the candidate’s region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Compensation

$96,890.00 - $173,975.00 per year

📌 Senior Encounter Designer (Kelowna)
🏢 Arcanaut Studios
📍 Kelowna