Senior Game Designer

About Contra Labs

Contra Labs sits at the intersection of human creativity and AI. We partner with leading AI labs and product companies to improve their tools across design, video, development, and beyond. Our research is grounded in how top creatives actually work, studying the patterns behind what gets created, what gets chosen, and what resonates. We believe human input will always be at the center of net new creation, and our mission is to help shape technology so human creativity can be amplified to create what today is unimaginable.

By joining the Contra Labs network you gain access to paid projects with some of the most innovative companies building the next generation of creative and AI-powered tools.

How It Works

This is an application to join the network and be eligible for roles as they arise. Projects are staffed on an as-needed basis, typically 5 to 10 hours at a time, though some may extend into longer engagements. In unique cases, we may have full-time roles available as well. When a project matches your skill set, we'll reach out with details and timeline.

To Join the Network

• Portfolio review - We'll assess your Contra profile and portfolio for strength in content design, with a focus on ad creative and performance-driven visual content.
• Record a 30 second intro video - Share a quick 30 second introduction so we can get to know you.
• Complete profile - Once you’ve applied, we recommend completing your profile for better job matches and setting up your wallet so you can get paid when a job comes through.

What You May Work On

• Evaluate AI-generated games and interactive experiences for gameplay quality, technical execution, and overall player experience
• Provide clear, structured feedback on gameplay loops, mechanics, controls, physics, level design, UI, visual feedback, and overall game feel
• Help define quality benchmarks and evaluation criteria for what great AI-generated games should look, feel, and play like
• Identify common failure modes in AI-generated games, including broken gameplay loops, poor collision or physics logic, unresponsive controls, and disjointed player feedback
• Build or evaluate playable prototypes and reference experiences that demonstrate best-in-class game design and technical execution
• Contribute to research exploring how AI models can better understand and generate compelling, polished, and playable interactive experiences

What We're Looking For

• Strong portfolio showcasing high-quality game design, interactive experiences, or playable projects
• Strong understanding of game mechanics, gameplay loops, player experience, controls, and visual feedback
• Ability to articulate creative and technical feedback clearly and constructively
• Strong game design instincts and awareness of contemporary games, mechanics, interaction patterns, and player expectations
• Comfort working in fast-paced, experimental environments (experience with AI, game engines, or rapid prototyping tools is a plus)