--- title: 'Senior Systems Designer at 31st Union' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-designer-31st-union-san-mateo-gfs399x3b96d' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-16' --- # Senior Systems Designer at 31st Union - **Company:** 31st Union - **Location:** San Mateo, CA - **Posted:** 2026-10-01 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/31stunion/jobs/8007296003 ## Job description ## WE ARE GAME MAKERS Who We Are: We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games.  We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better. What We Need: We’re looking for a Senior Systems Designer to join our team and help us shape the future of online multiplayer gaming. In this role, you’ll be a key feature driver, partnering with various cross functional teams to shape how players grow, are rewarded, and evolve over time! You have proven expertise in game economy design, reward systems, and the intentional design work needed to balance the complex relationship between them. You can both communicate and document design features, intent and specs clearly and work in-engine to bring those experiences to reality. You seamlessly form strong working relationships among peers of different disciplines, bring others with you towards a shared vision, and proactively work with production & game leadership to make it a reality. We’re a studio that values autonomy and self-drive in developers who are empowered to do the best work of their careers. If this is you, let’s talk! What You'll Do: - Drive a small portfolio of complex features through initial creative input, stakeholder buy-in and alignment, consistent design reviews, and day-to-day execution. - Respond quickly to feedback with stable in-engine updates and iterate rapidly. - Provide design leadership within your feature area while contributing to broader game quality by mentoring others and sharing insights. - Reliably source ideas from around the studio, combining with own proposals and references to other products, in order to quickly solve and innovate within design challenges. - Work cross-functionally within and outside of your team to communicate and align on the work, tradeoffs and dependencies. Radiate changes across the organization; set and mobilize against feature goals; and provide forward-looking direction aligned with greater design philosophy. - Share best practices and techniques with peers to improve the overall experience What Will Make You A Great Fit: - Strong experience with Unreal Engine and Blueprint visual scripting; programming experience (C++, C#, etc.) is a plus. - Proven experience designing and implementing gameplay features in released multiplayer games, with a strong focus on reward loops, systemic content integration, and player-driven optionality. - Theory-crafting skillset & past experience designing for depth and multiplayer gameplay. - Quantitative and analytical, with past experience building and interrogating economy models and simulations to validate and align design decisions. - Deep understanding of the various components (UI, Art, Engineering, Audio, VFX, etc.) that come together to achieve an unparalleled player experience. - A self-starter who can align with the team's goals but isn't hesitant to create solutions of their own. - Capable of rapidly filtering large volumes of feedback into concrete and useful improvements. - Ability to flexibly design, implement, and iterate under tight deadlines & production constraints. - Well-played in the multiplayer PvP / Competitive Space and able to deconstruct what works and why. - Capability to abstract designs outside of single solutions into patterns and models of player behavior; providing options and flexible design solutions The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $112,700 and $166,820 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. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy. #LI-Onsite #LI-Hybrid ## About 31st Union ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: 31st Union is a video game development studio creating highly engaging multiplayer entertainment as a wholly owned studio of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive. - **Entity Type**: Private (wholly owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., NASDAQ: TTWO) - **Headquarters**: San Mateo, California, United States - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: Not publicly disclosed (studio formed by 2K/Take-Two Interactive) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Video Game Development (AAA console/PC gaming) - **Target customers**: B2C (consumers/players), specifically fans of online multiplayer gaming experiences - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Crafting highly engaging entertainment and a commitment to putting players first" — the studio's rallying cry is "Bring fun, inspiration and awe to our lives and to our community." ## Products & Services - **Unannounced Title (in development)**: A highly engaging online multiplayer game. The studio is actively hiring across engineering, UI, UX, animation, and design disciplines to build this "inspired new game experience." The specific title or franchise has not been publicly revealed. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, which has a market cap of roughly $30B+ as of mid-2026) - **Key Metric**: Studio size of approximately 146 employees (per Built In), with active hiring across both San Mateo and Valencia, Spain locations - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company is Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), operating under the 2K publishing label. This provides the studio with "the collaborative support and incredible perks of one of the world’s leading interactive entertainment companies." - **Growth Signals**: The studio is actively expanding its team, with open roles in engineering, animation, and UI/UX design. The studio operates as "one empowered global team across North America and Spain," indicating a growing international footprint. ## Competitive Advantages - **AAA Backing with Studio Autonomy**: 31st Union "cherishes studio independence and autonomy" while benefiting from the financial stability, resources, and perks of Take-Two Interactive, a top global publisher. - **Multi-Location Talent Pool**: Dual studios in San Francisco Bay Area and Valencia, Spain allow access to diverse global talent across all disciplines. - **Player-First Culture**: The studio is built on values of trust, inclusivity, and psychological safety, which they believe enables the best creative work. ## Strategic Focus - **Building a New IP**: The studio is focused on developing a new, original online multiplayer game from the ground up, investing heavily in UI systems, animation, and technical design. - **Global Team Empowerment**: They are building a "one team" culture where all disciplines are represented in both North America and Spain, with shared ownership of the game's success. - **Innovation in Gameplay**: Driven by the motto "Chase the Horizon," the team is focused on pushing creative boundaries to deliver a "brilliant" experience that "raises the bar." ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Emphasizes a "psychologically safe space," inclusivity, trust, and a commitment to personal growth ("Live Your Dreams"). The studio values diverse perspectives and operates with a "player-first" mindset. - **Work Policy**: Roles listed are "In-Office" at the San Mateo, CA headquarters. The studio has a physical office with bike stations, EV charging, and well-stocked kitchens. - **Notable Perks & Benefits**: - Private healthcare (medical, dental, vision) for employees & dependents - Generous PTO & sick time off - Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) - Fitness reimbursement program - Life & disability insurance - Parental leave & compassionate leave - Retirement savings plans with company contributions - Learning & development tools - Employee referral bonuses - Charitable giving, corporate match & volunteer program - Mental health & wellbeing offerings - Company social events & gatherings - Commuter & meal perks ## Sources 1. [thirtyfirstunion.com](https://thirtyfirstunion.com/) 2. [thirtyfirstunion.com/careers](https://thirtyfirstunion.com/careers/) 3. [thirtyfirstunion.com/studio](https://thirtyfirstunion.com/studio/) 4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/31stunion](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/31stunion) 5. [builtin.com/company/31st-union](https://builtin.com/company/31st-union) ## Other roles at 31st Union - [Lead Backend Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-backend-engineer-31st-union-san-mateo-ffx7rtcb6ga6) — San Mateo, CA - [Lead UI Technical Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-ui-technical-designer-31st-union-san-mateo-f7a4evchgzsh) — San Mateo, CA - [Expert Character Concept Artist](https://feeny.ai/job/expert-character-concept-artist-31st-union-san-mateo-3rnsp9ypcvrd) — San Mateo, CA - [Expert Character Artist](https://feeny.ai/job/expert-character-artist-31st-union-san-mateo-ajfhkcc9xcpa) — San Mateo, CA - [Lead Producer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-producer-31st-union-san-mateo-f8rbwdkh8c08) — San Mateo, CA - [Lead Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-designer-31st-union-san-mateo-rmkdjkgpak35) — San Mateo, CA - [Senior Shader Technical Artist](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-shader-technical-artist-31st-union-san-mateo-hh7zdr81j2xd) — San Mateo, CA - [Senior Technical Director, Live Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-technical-director-live-operations-31st-union-san-mateo-5827shd0j69y) — San Mateo, CA - [Lead UI Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-ui-engineer-31st-union-san-mateo-tysjd9e6s3hz) — San Mateo, CA - [Senior Systems Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-designer-2k-san-mateo-4r7swzbyth63) — San Mateo, CA