Senior Game Designer, Systems (sand Table)

Anduril Anduril · Defense · Seattle, WA · Software : Software Platform : Sand Table

Senior Game Designer, Systems for Anduril's Sand Table team, focusing on designing and implementing gameplay systems for military simulations in XR headsets. This role involves collaborating with AI programmers on behavior trees and state machines, designing combat and scenario creation tools, and balancing simulation fidelity with usability. The goal is to transform data into an intuitive, interactive 3D command center for mission simulations and demonstrations.

What you'd actually do

  1. Design and develop core gameplay systems including unit behavior models, command structures, and decision-making frameworks for military simulations
  2. Create detailed combat systems that accurately model weapons effectiveness, damage modeling, and battlefield outcomes
  3. Create design documentation that clearly communicates system functionality, user interactions, and expected outcomes
  4. Design scenario creation tools that allow users to quickly build and modify complex military simulations
  5. Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to military users

Skills

Required

  • 5+ years of professional experience in systems design for games or interactive simulations
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating systems design work for complex interactive applications
  • Experience with behavior trees, finite state machines, and other AI-driven gameplay systems
  • Excellent documentation skills with the ability to create clear design specifications
  • Strong analytical skills for gameplay balancing and iterative design
  • Excellent spoken and written communication with experience presenting design concepts to stakeholders
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven environment
  • Experience with Custom Game Engines, Unity or Unreal Engine
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance

Nice to have

  • Experience designing RTS Games, military simulations, wargames, or defense applications
  • Knowledge of XR design principles and constraints
  • Background in AI design for games or simulations
  • Experience shipping at least one AAA game title in a similar role
  • Active security clearance

What the JD emphasized

  • U.S. Secret security clearance