Build Games, Differently

Hidden Variable is a small game studio where people have a big impact.

Now hiring for the following positions:

A Special Place To Work

Since our inception in 2010, we have always believed that great games are built by talented people who have agency over their work and the freedom to express their creativity. By staying streamlined and collaborative, we've created an environment where ideas move quickly, ownership is meaningful, and every team member has a voice in the direction of our projects.

Our brand new studio is located in the heart of historic Old Town Pasadena in California, surrounded by great restaurants, nightlife, and shopping.

Our Mission & Core Values

Our mission at Hidden Variable is to create an oasis - a place of refuge from the usual noise of game development. For our players, that means crafting game worlds worth inhabiting and mechanics that are not only enjoyable, but respectful of their time. For our team, it means building a work environment with autonomy and a genuine focus on quality, a place where talented people want to come, stay, and do their best work.

We focus our efforts on three core values - Craftsmanship, Empowerment, and Structure:

Craftsmanship means we deeply care about the details in our work. “Done” and “Done Well” are not the same thing. We endeavor to have all our games exude quality and polish.

Empowerment means team members are trusted to make decisions. We believe good ideas can come from anywhere, regardless of one’s title or seniority.

Structure means we maintain clear processes and protect focused work time. We believe people do their best work when they aren’t constantly putting out fires or guessing what’s actually important.

If these values resonate with you, then you’re exactly the type of person we want on board!

The Perks

In addition to joining an exceptional crew of board & video game-loving developers, working at Hidden Variable comes with a lot of added benefits for eligible employees.

Unlimited Paid Time Off

We offer unlimited PTO, on top of 10 company holidays and two weeklong, studio-wide breaks. We focus on results rather than hours, and trust you to take the time you need to find the right work-life balance.

Flexible Work Policy

Our Los Angeles-based team works a hybrid schedule (in-office Tuesday through Thursday, work-from-home on Mondays and Fridays). Fridays are generally kept as heads-down time with minimal meetings.

Health Insurance & Stipend

Our benefits package includes a variety of plan options for medical, dental, and vision insurance to cover employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and their children. As a subsidy, we provide a yearly health benefits stipend to spend however you see fit. Already have medical coverage? Keep the stipend as an end of year bonus!

Financial Protection

We offer financial protection in the form of a 401(k) retirement plan, short- and long-term disability, and a complimentary Life/AD&D policy. You’ll also have the opportunity to add supplemental coverages (including pet insurance) if you like.

Support For Families

We offer 4 months of paid parental leave, plus an additional 90 days of fully remote work for employees returning from parental leave (on top of our usual hybrid schedule).

Team Activities

We regularly get together to celebrate milestones - be it escape rooms, board games, trivia, or the occasional game tournament that gets slightly more competitive than anyone intended. We also do periodic charity events as a team.

Our Hiring Process

Excited to apply? We’d love to hear from you, and want to be open about our hiring experience so you know what to expect.

At Hidden Variable, we believe our hiring decisions are amongst the most important choices we make as a studio. Our process is designed to promote transparency and to give both sides enough information to figure out if it’s a good fit.

We do not use artificial intelligence tools to support any part of the hiring process. All applications are reviewed by a human being to evaluate an applicant’s experience and qualifications in relation to the job description.

Hiring Phases

Introductory Video Call
- A short conversation to learn more about your experience and interests.
Departmental Interview
- You’ll come to the office (or join remotely, depending on the role) to meet with team members you’d be working with directly. For most roles, this includes some on-site skill assessment questions. Certain roles may also include a take-home exercise or portfolio review, which will be flagged in advance.
Work History Interview
- A deeper conversation with studio leadership about your experience and how you work.
Meet the Team Interview
- A chance for you to meet our entire team (usually remotely) and ask any remaining questions.
References & Offer
- We typically conduct at least three reference calls before finalizing a decision.
- If all goes well, we’ll be in touch with an offer to welcome you aboard!

Our Onboarding Process

At Hidden Variable, we strive to be a place where employees want to stay and grow. We believe that starts with a great first impression and by equipping you with tools to set you up for future success. To that end, we try to make the first few months clear and manageable, involving team support and a helpful onboarding plan.

Clarity on Day One

As a new hire, you will receive an action plan with clear expectations and time-oriented goals for the first 90 days, so you never have to wonder what you should be prioritizing or why. You’ll also have regular check-ins with your manager during this period.

Camaraderie

You’ll have the opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with each member of the team over the first several weeks, to help lay the foundation for lasting working relationships. We’ll also share a few books or articles that help build shared context between yourself and members of the team.

A Commitment To Growth

After the first 90 days, you’ll work with your manager to define your Key Results Areas - an in-depth document that defines what success looks like in your role. It's our belief that clear expectations around individual responsibilities sets up new hires for long-term success, and provides the best roadmap for how to work towards your goals.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Hidden Variable Studios is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, orientation, disability, age, military service, and other protected statuses.

We pride ourselves on bringing the highest quality entertainment to our vast audiences around the world, and we know our company runs on the hard work and dedication of a passionate, creative, and eclectic team. We continually aspire to create a space where we can elevate one another and celebrate what makes us unique in the pursuit of crafting something truly special.

We look forward to making great things together!