CD PROJEKT RED is a studio built on a singular, defiant vision: to create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs that go straight to the hearts of gamers. We don’t just build games; we craft immersive, mature experiences that linger in the mind long after the screen goes dark.
As we embark on Project Orion —the highly anticipated follow-up to Cyberpunk 2077—we are expanding our Boston, MA hub. We are looking for a Senior Narrative Designer who thrives at the intersection of storytelling and technical implementation. This isn’t just about coming up with “cool ideas”; it’s about the architectural challenge of translating complex emotional arcs into living, breathing gameplay systems within the neon-soaked, high-stakes reality of the Cyberpunk universe.
Position Overview : Senior Narrative Designer
Category Details
Company Name CD PROJEKT RED (North America)
Project Project Orion (The Sequel to Cyberpunk 2077)
Job Type Full-Time
Location Boston, MA, USA
Work Mode Hybrid (Office/Remote flexibility)
Annual Salary Range $118,800 – $196,000 USD
Application Deadline August 5, 2026
The Role: Narrative Design vs. Writing
It is vital to clarify the distinction of this role within our studio ecosystem. At CD PROJEKT RED, Narrative Designers are the architects of experience .
Important Note: This role does not include primary scriptwriting or dialogue authorship. Instead, it is focused on narrative-driven emotional design and technical implementation .
You will take the raw narrative vision and “visualize” it into the game engine. You are the bridge between the Writer’s script and the Player’s agency. Your goal is to ensure that every quest, every NPC interaction, and every open-world event feels grounded, emotionally resonant, and technically seamless.
Key Responsibilities
1. World Building & Quest Architecture
- Narrative Continuity: Create detailed storylines that expand the lore of the Cyberpunk universe while maintaining a believable world state.
- Systemic Storytelling: Design quests, NPC communities, and emergent open-world events that react dynamically to player choices.
- Asset Planning: Act as the primary visionary for the assets required to tell your story, coordinating with Art, Audio, and Animation departments to ensure every prop and sound effect serves the narrative.
2. Technical Implementation
- UE5 Visual Scripting: Use our proprietary toolset within Unreal Engine 5 to bring narrative content to life. You will be responsible for the “logic” of the story—how triggers, branching paths, and world states interact.
- Integration: Merge delivered assets (dialogue lines, character models, environmental props) into a cohesive sequence that maintains the high cinematic standard CDPR is known for.
- Iterative Refinement: Maintain a high quality bar through constant review, bug fixing, and polish. You don’t just “finish” a quest; refine it until it feels like a natural part of Night City.
- Interdisciplinary Synergy: Work within “pods” consisting of Level Designers, Gameplay Programmers, and Artists to ensure narrative goals align with mechanical possibilities.
- Feedback Loops: Attend rigorous content reviews, giving and receiving candid feedback to elevate the collective work.
- Mentorship: As a Senior member of the team, you will be expected to guide junior designers, sharing your expertise in visual scripting and narrative pacing.
Qualifications & Requirements
We are seeking a veteran of the industry who understands that “Cyberpunk” is as much a feeling as it is a genre.
- Experience: 5+ years as a Quest, Narrative, or Open World Designer on AAA projects .
- Proven Track Record: At least one shipped AAA title with a heavy narrative focus.
- Technical Mastery: Deep proficiency with game engines, specifically Unreal Engine 5 , and a strong comfort level with visual scripting environments.
- Storytelling Intuition: An excellent understanding of interactive storytelling, branching narratives, and player psychology.
- Soft Skills: Well-developed communication skills to navigate a multinational, interdisciplinary environment.
- Portfolio Requirement: A portfolio or examples of previous projects is mandatory . We want to see how you structure logic, manage branching paths, and create emotional “beats” through design.
We believe that to create world-class art, our team needs to feel supported, respected, and inspired. Our Boston office offers a competitive suite of benefits designed for modern life.
- Full Coverage: Company-paid medical, dental, and vision healthcare, including comprehensive mental health support.
- Generous Time Off: 26 days of vacation, 10 sick days, and 12 calendar holidays per year.
- Menstrual Leave: Dedicated leave for employees who experience painful menstruation.
- 401K Matching: Secure your future with our employer-matching retirement plan.
Lifestyle & Growth
- LSA (Lifestyle Spending Account): $100 monthly stipend for fitness, wellness, home office gear, or streaming services.
- Flexibility: Flexible working hours to accommodate your natural creative rhythm.
- Professional Development: Access to internal workshops, external courses, and “Beyond the Game” knowledge-sharing sessions.
- The “RED” Perks: Dog-friendly office space, no dress code (ever), and regular “swag” drops of exclusive CDPR merch.
Why Join Project Orion?
Night City is a place of extremes—where the highest tech meets the lowest lives. In Cyberpunk 2, we are pushing the boundaries of what an RPG can be. We aren’t just making a sequel; we are refining a legacy.
As a Senior Narrative Designer, you won’t just be following a blueprint. You will be helping to draw it. You will decide how a player feels when they betray a friend, how the city breathes in the shadows, and how “revolutionary” our next story will truly be.
Are you ready to join the pack?
CD PROJEKT RED is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Compensation is determined by market data, experience, and location.