Principal Systems Designer

About Us

At Zynga, we bring people together through the power of play. As a global leader in interactive entertainment and a proud label of Take-Two Interactive, our games have been downloaded over 6 billion times—connecting players in 175+ countries through fun, strategy, and a little friendly competition. From thrilling casino spins to epic strategy battles, mind-bending puzzles, and social word challenges, our diverse game portfolio has something for everyone. Fan-favorites and latest hits include FarmVille™, Words With Friends™, Zynga Poker™, Game of Thrones Slots Casino™, Wizard of Oz Slots™, Hit it Rich! Slots™, Wonka Slots™, Top Eleven™, Toon Blast™, Empires & Puzzles™, Merge Dragons!™, CSR Racing™, Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells™, Match Factory™, and Color Block Jam™—plus many more!

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in California, our teams span North America, Europe, and Asia, working together to craft unforgettable gaming experiences. Whether you're spinning, strategizing, matching, or competing, Zynga is where fun meets innovation—and where you can take your career to the next level.

About the Role

Zynga is looking for an experienced Principal Systems Designer to work on one of our new mobile games. This role leads and participates in direct design and creative input on content and system design in the game.

Responsibilities

• Create or adapt game features and large-scale systems to work with the game
• Write user experience stories and design documentation for new features and systems
• Own, drive, and collaborate with other disciplines for system development
• Work closely with other disciplines to design and prototype new gameplay and systems
• Create flexible sheets and models to balance sophisticated systems
• Design and balance content for new systems
• Create and improve tools to make the design pipeline faster and more efficient for the team
• Be the advocate of good design practices across the studio
• Pitch new ideas to the team/lead brainstorming sessions
• Analyze real-time feedback and metrics, and adjust game designs accordingly while maintaining live game balance
• Remain up-to-date with Game Design literature and standard methodologies to be an evangelist for the craft of Game Design

Requirements

• At least 6 years' relevant experience
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Expert with math, levels, and formulas in game environment
• Extensive knowledge of games and strategies
• Solid knowledge of game balancing and pacing
• Translates direct consumer insights, market data, and analysis into creative design solutions
• Passionate gamer
• 2+ shipped games

Benefits

Zynga offers a world-class benefits package that helps support and balance the needs of our teams, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program
• Up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year
• Paid parental and compassionate leave
• Wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support
• Family planning support through Maven
• Commuter benefits
• Reimbursements for fitness-related expenses
• 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program

Pay

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,200 and $182,360 per year. Base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. The total compensation package may also include a bonus and/or equity awards.