Senior Game Designer, Systems (Sand Table)

Company: Anduril Industries
Location: Costa Mesa
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

ABOUT THE TEAM The Sand Table team at Anduril develops our revolutionary platform for visualizing future defense scenarios. We transform massive amounts of data into an intuitive, interactive 3D command center, serving as the visual interface for mission simulations, a key business development tool, and a powerful demonstration of our advanced capabilities to government and military leaders. We take ambitious ideas from concept to completion, building the core with high-performance C++ and enabling rapid feature expansion through modern scripting and plugin frameworks. The Sand Table team manages the complex logistics for delivering flawless augmented reality demonstrations in headset to critical stakeholders. As a cross-functional group of builders, strategists, and operators, we combine the creative energy of a top game studio with the rigorous discipline of national security to shape how the future of defense is visualized and understood. ABOUT THE ROLE As a Systems Designer on the Sand Table team, you will be instrumental in creating engaging and realistic gameplay systems for our next-generation wargaming and briefing capabilities in XR headsets. You will work closely with our creative director and AI programmers to design, implement, and refine core gameplay features and systems that enable military users to interact meaningfully with complex simulations in immersive environments. WHAT YOU'LL DO DESIGN OWNERSHIP & EXECUTION Design and develop core gameplay systems including unit behavior models, command structures, and decision-making frameworks for military simulations Create detailed combat systems that accurately model weapons effectiveness, damage modeling, and battlefield outcomes Create design documentation that clearly communicates system functionality, user interactions, and expected outcomes Design scenario creation tools that allow users to quickly build and modify complex military simulations Balance simulation fidelity with usability to ensure systems are both realistic and accessible to military users TECHNICAL COLLABORATION Work closely with AI programmers to design behavior trees, finite state machines, and other AI systems that drive realistic simulation behavior Collaborate with engineering teams to implement sensor modeling systems (radar, sonar, ELINT, etc.) Partner with UI/UX designers to create intuitive command interfaces for complex military operations that are presented effectively in XR environments Identify technical constraints early and develop creative solutions that maintain design integrity while meeting platform requirements Prototype gameplay systems to validate concepts before full implementation STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION Present gameplay system designs to stakeholders, explaining design decisions and gathering feedback Collaborate with business teams and defense subject matter experts to scope system design deliverables Maintain effective working relationships with military stakeholders to ensure gameplay systems support mission objectives Partner with project managers to ensure design deliverables align with program milestones and customer expectations Monitor design scope and iterate based on user feedback, technical constraints, and evolving requirements LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION Champion best practices for systems design within the organization Mentor junior designers on gameplay systems development Foster a culture of open communication, and continuous improvement Drive innovation in military simulation design by researching and applying emerging game design methodologies Contribute to the overall vision of the Sand Table platform by identifying opportunities for gameplay and usability enhancements REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent professional experience) 5 years of professional experience in systems design for games or interactive simulations Strong portfolio demonstrating systems design work for complex interactive applications Experience with behavior trees, finite state machines, and other AI-driven gameplay systems Excellent documentation skills with the ability to create clear design specifications Strong analytical skills for gameplay balancing and iterative design Excellent spoken and written communication with experience presenting design concepts to stakeholders Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven environment Experience with Custom Game Engines, Unity or Unreal Engine Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Experience designing RTS Games, military simulations, wargames, or defense applications Knowledge of XR design principles and constraints Background in AI design for games or simulations Experience shipping at least one AAA game title in a similar role Active security clearance US Salary Range $166,000 - $220,000 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: Healthcare Benefits US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you. UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents. IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents. Additional Benefits Income Protection : Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees. Generous time off : Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs. Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting. Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available. Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region. Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility. Retirement Savings Plan US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options. UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match. AUS Roles: Superannuation plan. The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process. Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information. To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind: No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates. Please always verify communications: Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address. Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com . Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links. What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com . Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts. Data Privacy To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/ .

Keywords: Anduril Industries, Redlands , Senior Game Designer, Systems (Sand Table), IT / Software / Systems , Costa Mesa, California