Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies)

housemarque· Housemarque
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📍 Finland, Helsinki

About this role

OUR STUDIO

At Housemarque, we believe gameplay always comes first. With technical excellence and compelling narrative, spiced with our trademark neon flair and top-notch audiovisual feedback, we want our players to always feel actively engaged with the worlds we have created for them.

Our latest Award-Winning game Returnal, released on PS5 in 2021, embraces all these qualities. THIS is our DNA!

We value Nordic work-life balance by growing sustainably and ensuring our employees have the time and means to develop personally and professionally during work time.

We were established in 1995 with strong roots in the Finnish demoscene. In June 2021 we joined the PlayStation Studios, after years of partnership.

If you wish to join us for our next journey, apply today!

We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Designer for our next big game!

THE JOB
As the Gameplay Designer of the talented and passionate design team behind RETURNAL you will
work closely with a team of game designers and the Design Director to help drive the development of
scalable enemy gameplay and AI behavior systems in the next evolution of Housemarque games.
Together with content and art teams, you will design and build pipelines and systems for data driven
and modular enemy gameplay, creating memorable and compelling enemy encounters and
experiences.

What will your day-to-day look like?
Own the vision, design, and long-term development of enemy gameplay systems and mechanics
Lead the design of scalable, modular systems that support iteration and content growth
Partner closely with art and animation to create pipelines for frictionless enemy production
Act as the primary point of ownership and decision-making for enemy and boss gameplay
Guide and mentor designers, setting quality bars and best practices
Drive documentation, standards, and workflows that enable efficient cross-discipline development
Identify and manage production risks, dependencies, and long-term sustainability concerns
What will help you to be successful in this role?
Extensive professional experience in game development with an enemy gameplay design focus
Proven track record shipping console and/or PC titles
Experience creating modular and data driven enemy production pipelines
Strong technical understanding of engines, scripting, data, and design tools
Experience in balancing combat and enemy gameplay
Clear communicator with strong judgment and a collaborative mindset

What we offer to you?
Competitive salary, benefits, healthcare & Nordic work-life balance
Tailored immigration and relocation package to help you get settled into Finland
State-of-the-art studio facilities in the heart of Helsinki
Freedom, flexibility and openness in a collaborative culture
Brilliant, diverse and empathetic colleagues to work with
Exciting and ambitious projects executed with the best tools
Access to PlayStation Studios collaboration, games and more!
This is a permanent, full-time position based in Helsinki, Finland.
We will start interviewing promising candidates immediately so please apply as soon as possible.

OUR STUDIO
At Housemarque, we believe gameplay always comes first. With technical excellence and compelling narrative, spiced
with our trademark neon flair and top-notch audiovisual feedback, we want our players to always feel actively
engaged with the worlds we have created for them.
Our latest Award-Winning game Returnal, released on PS5 in 2021, embraces all these qualities. THIS is our DNA!
We value Nordic work-life balance by growing sustainably and ensuring our employees have the time and means to
develop personally and professionally during work time.
We were established in 1995 with strong roots in the Finnish demoscene. In June 2021 we joined the PlayStation
Studios, after years of partnership.
If you wish to join us for our next journey, apply today

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.


 

Equal Opportunity Statement

Housemarque is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to a culture of inclusion and mutual respect for all employees from every walk of life, reflecting the community we make games for. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race and ethnicity, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the salary disclosed for the Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) position at housemarque?
The salary for this Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) role at housemarque is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) position at housemarque located?
This Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) role at housemarque is based in Finland, Helsinki. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Which team or department does the Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) at housemarque belong to?
This Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) position is part of the Housemarque department at housemarque. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) position at housemarque?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to housemarque's official application portal hosted on greenhouse where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) job at housemarque posted?
This Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies) position at housemarque was posted on Mar 31, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Principal Gameplay Designer (Enemies)
housemarque
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