System Designer

Blizzard Entertainment is seeking an exceptional, narrative-driven Senior Designer, Cinematics to join an elite development squad in Southern California, dedicated to forging a brand-new, unannounced AAA title. This position stands out among premier Irvine jobs for tech and creative professionals, operating at the critical intersection of technical implementation and cinematic artistry. In this role, you will be responsible for driving high-quality, real-time, and pre-rendered cinematic assets from initial storyboard conceptualization through to final engine delivery. As a veteran developer looking at top-tier Irvine jobs, you possess an advanced understanding of how to sequence, structuralize, and implement cinematic storytelling that elevates real-time gameplay loops and respects overarching narrative goals. You are comfortable steering creative initiatives within dynamic, highly fluid incubation environments where project deadlines, game systems, and technical constraints evolve quickly. If you are an experienced visual storyteller eager to set the cinematic baseline for Blizzard’s next legendary universe, this leadership position offers an unheralded canvas for your craft. Job Overview : Senior Designer Attribute Details Company Blizzard Entertainment (An Activision Blizzard / Microsoft Company) Location Irvine, CA Work Pattern Hybrid (On-site & Home blend) Department Game Development – Cinematic Design Project Assignment New, Unannounced AAA Project Employment Type Full-Time, Permanent Primary Category Irvine Jobs / Game Design & Cinematics Base Salary Range $82,240.00 – $152,160.00 Annual (Negotiable based on experience & profile) Required Experience 8+ Years in AAA Game Cinematics with $\ge 1$ Shipped Major Title Core Competencies Camera Work, Framing, Staging, Editing, 3D Workflows, Engine Integration Cross-Functional Touchpoints Art, Narrative, Engineering, Surfacing, VFX, Lighting, Audio Accommodations Hub accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com About Blizzard Entertainment & Our World Best known for creating iconic, industry-altering video game universes—including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®—Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. stands as a premier global developer and publisher of digital entertainment experiences. Now operating as a vital creative cornerstone within the Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) gaming portfolio, Blizzard has spent over three decades crafting critically acclaimed, genre-defining products that have won multiple Game of the Year accolades. Our titles connect tens of millions of passionate players across PC (via Battle.net®), Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android ecosystems worldwide. As an active subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc., we are positioned at the definitive nexus of media, technology, and interactive entertainment. Our massive global network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users across 196 countries, rendering us the largest gaming framework on Earth. We believe that building immersive, authentic, and innovative virtual worlds is only possible when driven by diverse, highly cross-functional teams working within an inclusive environment. We champion a culture where artists, engineers, and visionaries can thrive, grow, and unleash their ultimate professional aspirations. Position Scope & Cinematic Philosophy Cinematics at Blizzard are not mere passive interruptions to gameplay; they are foundational pillars that define our characters, enrich our lore, and contextualize player agency. On an unannounced project, the Senior Cinematic Designer’s responsibility transitions from standard asset assembly into high-level visual R&D. You will analyze how camera angles, environment staging, and micro-expressions influence emotional resonance, ensuring that cinematic continuity bridges into gameplay smoothly. This requires a balanced technical and artistic mindset: a creator who can debate the nuances of three-point lighting, screen direction, and lens compression while simultaneously executing complex scripting logic within a cutting-edge proprietary or commercial game engine. Key Responsibilities 1. Hands-on Visual Authoring & Pre-Visualization 2. Cross-Disciplinary Integration & Risk Mitigation 3. Culture Stewardship & Strategic Development Requirements for Designers To succeed at Blizzard as a senior creative leader, you must demonstrate a deep history of shipping elite interactive content, complemented by refined interpersonal skills. Core Experience & Portfolio Technical & Artistry Profile Preferred Pluses Rewards & Employee Well-being Blizzard Entertainment provides a premium, holistically engineered compensation and benefits package designed to safeguard the physical, emotional, and financial health of our team members. Comprehensive Health & Security Financial Growth & Future Planning Rest, Balance & Life Perks Irvine Jobs : Senior Designer, at Blizzard Apply now See open roles Explore More Irvine jobs