Contract UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Contract UI Designer

Company: Mob Entertainment

Location: United States

Job Type: Contract

Category: UI/UX Design, Game Design, Interactive Media

Date Posted: 2026-08-31

Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and implement intuitive, immersive, and visually striking user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for video games, focusing on player engagement and seamless interaction.

• Develop core UI systems such as Heads-Up Displays (HUDs), inventory management, and other in-game interfaces, ensuring consistency with the game's horror atmosphere and artistic vision.

• Translate player-first thinking into actionable design solutions, including wireframes, prototypes, and high-quality visual assets, to enhance usability and clarity of game mechanics.

• Collaborate closely with game designers, technical designers, and other stakeholders to integrate UI/UX seamlessly with gameplay mechanics and overall game vision.

• Maintain and create UI style guides and component libraries to ensure design consistency and efficient workflow across the development team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for Mob Entertainment's success, especially given their focus on highly immersive and engaging horror titles like "Poppy Playtime." The emphasis on "player-first thinking" and "seamlessly engage with our worlds without breaking immersion" highlights the need for a designer who understands not just aesthetics but also the psychological impact of UI in horror games. The "Contract" nature suggests a need for self-starters who can quickly integrate and deliver high-quality assets.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design intuitive and engaging user experiences by creating player flows, wireframes, and interaction models that enhance player engagement and ease of use.

• Prototype UI/UX solutions to rigorously test usability and gather feedback on player experience before full implementation.

• Ensure UI readability, accessibility, and responsiveness across various platforms to cater to a broad player base.

• Create high-quality UI visuals, icons, symbols, and indicators that align with the game’s specific tone, style, and horror atmosphere.

• Own the design and execution of complex, high-impact UI systems, including HUDs, inventory management, and other critical in-game interfaces.

• Drive the UI design workflow from initial wireframing and prototyping through to creating final art assets and supporting the implementation phase.

• Collaborate closely with game designers, technical designers, and other team members to ensure UI/UX design harmonizes with the game's overall vision and mechanics.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive UI style guides, component libraries, and essential documentation for design consistency and team alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a full-cycle UI/UX design process within a game development context. The emphasis on "owning the design" of complex systems and "driving the workflow" suggests a need for a designer who can manage their own projects effectively and take initiative. The collaboration aspect is key, requiring strong communication to bridge the gap between design intent and technical execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, is highly valued for foundational design principles.

Experience: 3+ years of dedicated experience in UI/UX design or UI art specifically for games or interactive media.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio demonstrating both UX thinking (player flows, wireframing, usability testing) and high-quality visual UI work (layout, typography, iconography, branding).

• Proven experience designing for games, including complex UI systems like HUDs, menus, inventory management, and other interactive game interfaces.

• Proficiency in industry-standard design tools such as Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or similar vector and raster graphics editors.

• Deep understanding of usability, player psychology, interaction design principles, and how they apply to immersive gaming experiences.

• Practical experience implementing UI within Unreal Engine, specifically using the Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG) system.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate design decisions and work effectively with cross-disciplinary teams.

• Meticulous attention to detail with a strong sense of visual hierarchy, typography, and layout principles.

• Experience with motion design principles or UI animation to bring interfaces to life and provide clear feedback. Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience working on horror or atmospheric games, understanding the nuances of designing for the genre.

• Familiarity with Blueprints visual scripting in Unreal Engine for deeper UI implementation understanding.

• Basic scripting or technical implementation knowledge to better bridge design and development.

• Experience with live games, including iterative UX improvements based on player feedback and data analysis.

• Understanding of accessibility standards and best practices within game development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of creative visual design and robust UX methodology, with a strong practical application in Unreal Engine. The "Nice to Have" skills point towards a candidate who can not only design but also contribute to the technical aspects and understand the unique demands of the horror genre. The portfolio is explicitly called out as a primary demonstration of capability.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects that highlight your UI/UX design process for games or interactive media.

• For each project, clearly articulate your role, the design challenges faced, your thought process, and the solutions implemented.

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of player flows, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing methodologies.

• Present high-fidelity visual UI mockups and examples of implemented UI elements, showcasing your aesthetic sensibility and attention to detail.

• Include examples of complex UI systems such as HUDs, menus, inventory screens, or in-game feedback mechanisms. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of wireframes, user flows, or interaction diagrams that illustrate your UX thinking.

• Include case studies detailing how you iterated on designs based on feedback or usability testing.

• Demonstrate your ability to create and maintain UI style guides, component libraries, or design system documentation.

• Showcase how you translated game mechanics or narrative elements into intuitive UI designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates must be prepared to present a curated selection of work that not only looks visually impressive but also demonstrates a deep understanding of the design process, problem-solving, and user-centered design principles within the context of game development. Specific attention should be paid to projects involving complex systems and horror aesthetics.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a contract role in the United States, a competitive hourly rate or project-based fee would be expected. Based on industry benchmarks for mid-level contract UI/UX Designers with 3+ years of experience and Unreal Engine UMG expertise in the US, the estimated range is approximately $45 - $75 per hour, depending on experience, specific skill set, and project scope.

Benefits: As a contract position, standard benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans are typically not provided by the hiring company. Contract employees are usually responsible for their own benefits. However, some contract arrangements may include:

• Potential for contract extension or conversion to full-time employment.

• Opportunity to work on a highly popular and successful indie game franchise.

• Exposure to a dynamic startup environment and a growing multimedia studio.

• Flexible work arrangements (remote).

Working Hours: The standard expectation for a full-time contract role is approximately 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be offered given the remote nature of the position, but consistent availability for team collaboration and project deadlines will be crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on national averages for contract UI/UX designers in the US with relevant experience and skills, considering the AI-derived experience level and the nature of contract work. Benefits are typically limited for contract roles, so candidates should factor this into their overall compensation expectations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Gaming & Multimedia Entertainment. Mob Entertainment is a startup in the rapidly growing indie game sector, known for its breakout hit "Poppy Playtime," which has achieved significant cultural impact with billions of YouTube views. This suggests a fast-paced, innovative, and potentially high-pressure environment driven by creativity and market trends.

Company Size: The company is described as a startup, likely ranging from 50-200 employees, with a history of rapid growth due to the success of its flagship franchise. This size implies a more agile structure, with opportunities for direct impact but also a need for individuals who can adapt to evolving processes.

Founded: Founded approximately 4 years ago, coinciding with the launch of "Poppy Playtime," indicating a relatively young company that has experienced meteoric growth.

Team Structure: The UI/UX Designer will likely be part of a Product or Game Development team, reporting to a Design Lead or Art Director. This team will include Game Designers, Technical Designers, Programmers, Artists, and potentially other UI/UX specialists. Collaboration will be cross-functional, requiring close partnerships with those directly involved in gameplay mechanics and narrative.

Methodology: Given the startup environment and focus on interactive entertainment, the methodology is likely agile and iterative. Emphasis will be placed on rapid prototyping, player feedback integration, and continuous improvement. Data-driven decisions, especially leveraging player engagement metrics from existing titles, will be crucial for refining UI/UX.

Company Website: https://mobentertainment.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Mob Entertainment's success with "Poppy Playtime" indicates a strong understanding of market trends and player engagement. The startup culture suggests a dynamic and fast-paced work environment where individual contributions are highly visible. The operations aspect here is how the design team aligns with the company's growth and its need to maintain engagement with a massive, established player base.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level "Contract UI Designer." It requires a solid foundation of 3+ years of experience and the ability to independently manage significant design responsibilities, particularly for complex UI systems. The focus is on execution and delivering high-quality assets within a specific project scope.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a senior design or art lead within the game development team. They will collaborate extensively with game designers, technical designers, and potentially other artists to ensure seamless integration of UI/UX into the game.

Operations Impact: The UI/UX designer's impact is directly tied to player experience, engagement, and retention. For a game like "Poppy Playtime," where immersion and atmosphere are paramount, a well-designed UI is crucial for maintaining the horror tone, guiding players effectively, and ensuring they can interact with game mechanics without frustration. This directly influences player satisfaction, reviews, and potential for long-term franchise engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in horror game UI/UX, motion design for UI, or Unreal Engine UMG implementation.

• Project Leadership: While a contract role, successful execution can lead to opportunities to take on more complex UI systems or even lead UI efforts on future projects.

• Industry Exposure: Working on a highly popular franchise provides significant exposure and can be a strong resume builder for future roles in the gaming industry.

• Potential for Full-Time: Strong performance may lead to an offer for a full-time position within Mob Entertainment as the company continues to scale.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature of this role means growth is primarily project-based and skill-focused, rather than a defined internal promotion path. However, the impact on a successful franchise offers significant career leverage. The focus is on demonstrating mastery of UI/UX principles within the game development context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is advertised as "Remote OK" and lists the "United States" as the location, with a specific mention of "#LI-Remote." This indicates a fully remote work arrangement is preferred or required.

Office Location(s): While the company is based in the United States, the remote nature of this contract role means the designer can work from anywhere within the US. Specific office locations for Mob Entertainment are not detailed, but the company is likely headquartered in a region with a strong tech or gaming presence.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to use digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Discord, Zoom, project management software) extensively for communication and team interaction.

• Tooling: Access to and proficiency with digital design and development tools (Figma, Photoshop, Unreal Engine UMG) is essential for the remote workspace.

• Team Interaction: While remote, opportunities for virtual team meetings, design critiques, and collaborative sessions will be integral to the workflow. The success of the remote environment depends on proactive communication and engagement.

Work Schedule: The role is likely based on a standard 40-hour work week, but the remote nature may offer some flexibility. However, meeting project deadlines and participating in core team working hours for collaboration and critical discussions will be essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote aspect is a key feature of this role. Candidates should be comfortable with asynchronous communication and possess strong self-management skills. The "workspace context" is defined by the digital tools and collaborative platforms used to bridge the physical distance between team members.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio for relevant experience and skills. Be prepared to highlight your most impactful game UI/UX projects.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: A discussion focused on your portfolio. Expect to walk through specific projects, explaining your design process, rationale, and how you addressed challenges. Be ready to discuss your experience with Unreal Engine UMG.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This might involve a live design exercise, a take-home challenge, or in-depth questions about your proficiency with design tools and Unreal Engine implementation.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: A conversation with team members (Designers, Leads) to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and how you would integrate with the existing team dynamic.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a hiring manager or studio lead to discuss contract terms and finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your UI/UX thinking, visual design skills, and experience with game interfaces (especially HUDs, menus). Prioritize work done in Unreal Engine.

• Tell a Story: For each project, explain the problem, your process, your solutions, and the impact. Use clear visuals and concise explanations.

• Highlight UX Process: Show wireframes, user flows, and evidence of user testing or iteration.

• Demonstrate Visual Polish: Ensure your mockups are clean, well-organized, and visually appealing, reflecting the high standards expected for a successful game franchise.

• Unreal Engine UMG Focus: Be ready to discuss your experience implementing designs within UMG, any challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design exercise is given, focus on understanding the prompt, prioritizing key features, and creating a clear, well-reasoned solution within the given time constraints. Think about player experience and thematic consistency.

• Unreal Engine UMG: Brush up on UMG basics, common UI patterns, and best practices for implementation. If possible, have a small demo project or examples ready.

• Horror Genre Nuances: Consider how UI elements can enhance (or detract from) a horror atmosphere. Think about how to convey information clearly without breaking immersion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's portfolio and their practical ability to design and implement UI within Unreal Engine. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design choices and demonstrate a deep understanding of game UX principles, especially within the horror genre.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, and creating high-fidelity UI designs, leveraging its collaborative features.

• Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator: Crucial for creating and editing UI assets, icons, textures, and graphic elements with precision.

• Unreal Engine (UMG): The core engine for implementing UI. Proficiency with Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG) is a must for bringing designs to life within the game environment.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly designing analytics tools, understanding how UI impacts player metrics (engagement, retention, conversion) is key. Familiarity with analytics dashboards used in game development to track UI performance would be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how UI integrates with game systems and player progression (which could be managed via backend systems) is relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design and game development tools. Proficiency in Figma/Adobe Suite for design and Unreal Engine UMG for implementation are non-negotiable. Understanding how UI elements translate into player data is also a valuable, though not explicitly required, skill.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value driving all design decisions, ensuring that the player's experience is always the top priority, especially in maintaining immersion and ease of use.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging novel design solutions that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment and contribute to the unique atmosphere of Mob Entertainment's games.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering an environment where open communication, constructive feedback, and cross-functional teamwork are essential for successful project delivery.

• Excellence & Polish: A commitment to high-quality execution, attention to detail, and delivering polished final assets that meet the standards of a successful gaming franchise.

• Adaptability: Embracing the fast-paced nature of startup and game development, being willing to iterate and adapt designs based on feedback and evolving project needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The UI/UX Designer will work closely with game designers to understand core mechanics, technical designers for implementation feasibility, and artists to ensure visual consistency.

• Iterative Design Process: Expect a culture of frequent reviews, feedback sessions, and iterative design adjustments to refine UI/UX based on playtesting and team input.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, design techniques, and insights into player behavior to collectively elevate the team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes a blend of creative ambition and practical execution, driven by the success of their flagship game. The values point to a team that is passionate about gaming, player experience, and collaborative problem-solving within a dynamic environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Immersion in Horror: Designing UI that is functional and informative without detracting from the suspenseful and terrifying atmosphere of a horror game is a significant challenge.

• Unreal Engine UMG Complexity: Effectively implementing complex UI systems in UMG can be technically demanding and requires close coordination with technical designers.

• Remote Collaboration: Ensuring seamless communication and efficient workflow across a distributed team requires proactive effort and strong self-management.

• Rapid Development Cycles: As a startup working on a popular franchise, the pace can be intense, requiring quick turnarounds and adaptability to shifting priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Genre Specialization: Deepen expertise in UI/UX design specifically for horror games, understanding the unique psychological and atmospheric requirements.

• Unreal Engine Expertise: Gain advanced proficiency in Unreal Engine UMG and potentially Blueprints, enhancing technical implementation skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Learn from game designers, technical artists, and programmers about the broader aspects of game development.

• Portfolio Enhancement: The opportunity to contribute to a globally recognized franchise provides a significant boost to your professional portfolio and marketability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly related to the specific demands of game development in the horror genre and working within a startup environment. The growth opportunities are practical, focused on enhancing skills and building a strong professional profile through impactful project contributions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing the HUD for a new horror game, balancing essential information with immersion?" (Focus on thematic consistency, information hierarchy, and subtle feedback mechanisms.)

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a game designer whose vision for a UI element conflicted with your UX recommendations. How did you resolve it?" (Highlight communication, compromise, and data-driven argumentation.)

• "Walk me through your process for designing an inventory system. What are the key considerations for usability and player experience in a game like 'Poppy Playtime'?" (Emphasize player flow, categorization, sorting, and visual clarity.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What appeals to you about Mob Entertainment and the 'Poppy Playtime' franchise specifically?" (Show genuine interest in their work and brand.)

• "How do you stay updated on UI/UX trends in the gaming industry, particularly in the horror genre?" (Demonstrate proactive learning and industry awareness.)

• "Describe your experience working remotely and how you ensure effective collaboration with a distributed team." (Highlight communication strategies, self-discipline, and proactive engagement.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenges, your design process (wireframes, prototypes, final assets), and the outcome or impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals and clear annotations. If possible, include interactive prototypes or short video clips of UI animations.

• Focus on Process: Emphasize your problem-solving approach and how you arrived at your design solutions, not just the final aesthetic.

• Unreal Engine UMG Integration: Be prepared to discuss how your designs were implemented or could be implemented in UMG, including any technical considerations or constraints you encountered or anticipated.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only design skill but also strategic thinking, collaborative ability, and a deep understanding of the gaming industry, particularly the horror genre and Unreal Engine development. The portfolio presentation is a critical component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided by Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects most relevant to game UI/UX design, especially those involving horror aesthetics, complex systems (HUDs, menus), and Unreal Engine UMG implementation.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3+ years of experience in game UI/UX design, proficiency with Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Unreal Engine UMG, and any experience with horror games or interactive media. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, articulating your design process, and preparing answers for common UI/UX and game development interview questions. Be ready to discuss your remote work experience.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Mob Entertainment, the "Poppy Playtime" franchise, and their overall brand aesthetic to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment during interviews.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.