Entry Level Designer - Digital Gaming

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:

Mattel Game Studios’ mission is to harness the power of Mattel's iconic brands and IP to create a wide variety of engaging digital games. Our team is guided by industry leaders with decades of experience in various facets of the gaming industry. We are seeking talented individuals to join us in our mission to create innovative and engaging digital experiences that resonate with our beloved brands. If you are passionate about gaming and eager to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team in family entertainment, this is the opportunity for you!

The Opportunity: 

We are looking for a creative and enthusiastic Associate Game Designer to join our team and contribute to the development of engaging and innovative mobile free-to-play (F2P) games. This is an excellent opportunity for a budding designer to work alongside experienced professionals, learn the intricacies of F2P game design, and make a meaningful impact on projects enjoyed by players worldwide.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Game Design Support:
  • Assist in designing and implementing core gameplay mechanics, systems, and features.
  • Contribute to the creation of progression systems, economies, and retention features that align with F2P models.
  • Collaborate with senior designers and cross-functional teams to ensure the game vision is realized.
• Prototyping & Documentation:
  • Develop prototypes to test game concepts and mechanics.
  • Create clear and detailed design documents, wireframes, and flowcharts to communicate ideas effectively.
• Player-Centric Design:
  • Conduct research on player behavior, competitor games, and market trends to inform design decisions.
  • Gather and implement feedback from playtests and user data to refine game features.
• Collaboration & Communication:
  • Work closely with developers, artists, and other team members to ensure smooth implementation of designs.
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute creative ideas to enhance gameplay experiences.
• Live Operations & Content Updates:
  • Assist in designing events, challenges, and updates to keep players engaged over time.
  • Help analyze player metrics to identify areas for improvement and suggest optimizations.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience:
  • 1-2 years of experience in game design, internships, or academic projects related to F2P games is preferred but not required.
  • Passion for mobile gaming and a solid understanding of F2P design principles.
• Skills:
  • Basic knowledge of game design fundamentals, including mechanics, progression, and monetization systems.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to present ideas effectively.
• Creativity & Passion:
  • A creative mindset with a passion for designing engaging and enjoyable gaming experiences.
  • Willingness to learn and adapt to the fast-paced nature of mobile game development.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with prototyping tools or scripting languages is a plus.
• Knowledge of mobile gaming trends and popular F2P titles.

The annual base salary range for this position is between $66,000 and $81,000.
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
Mattel Investor Highlights