Principal Game Designer (Redwood City) Job at Bellotalabs in Redwood City

At Bellota Labs, were on a mission to build groundbreaking new games for the U.S. market. As a fast-moving, innovation-driven startup, were assembling a world-class team to push the boundaries of game design, storytelling, and player engagement. With ClubWPT Gold already redefining the online poker experience, were now expanding our vision to create the next generation of gaming experiences.

Were looking for a Principal Game Designer a creative leader who combines systems thinking, player empathy, and design execution. In this role, youll be responsible for driving the vision and design of new games, shaping core gameplay mechanics, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to deliver experiences that are fresh, engaging, and market-ready.

If youre passionate about creating games that stand out and want to play a key role in building something from the ground up, wed love to hear from you.

What Youll Do

• Own the Game Vision Define and evolve the core design pillars that make our games distinctive, fun, and replayable.
• Design Core Systems & Mechanics Lead the creation of gameplay loops, balance systems, and metagame features that keep players engaged.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines Partner closely with artists, engineers, producers, and product leads to bring ideas from concept to polished release.
• Prototype & Iterate Build, test, and refine ideas quickly to discover what resonates most with players.
• Mentor & Elevate Provide guidance to other designers and help foster a culture of creativity, playtesting, and continuous improvement.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve Keep informed of trends, genres, and player behavior to inspire innovation and design excellence.

What Were Looking For

• 7+ years of experience in game design, with a proven track record of shipping successful titles.
• Deep expertise in systems, mechanics, and player engagement.
• Strong creative instincts balanced with analytical thinking and player insight.
• Experience working in cross-functional teams and mentoring other designers.
• Handson experience with modern design tools, engines, and pipelines.
• Passion for innovation and for creating experiences that stand out in the market.

Why Join Bellota Labs

• Creative Ownership Take the lead in shaping design for new, original game experiences.
• Impactful Work Your ideas will directly influence the success and direction of our next major titles.
• Growth & Collaboration Join a startup environment where your voice matters and your contributions are visible.
• Passionate Team Work alongside designers, engineers, and creatives who love building games that players truly connect with.

$200,000 - $300,000 a year

Join Bellota Labs and help define the next generation of gaming experiences.

If youre ready to create innovative, meaningful games that push boundaries, we want to hear from you.

#J-18808-Ljbffr