Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Squanch Games

Location: Remote (United States)

Job Type: Salaried Full-Time

Category: Game Design Management / Operations

Date Posted: July 28, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Implied)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for maintaining the operational efficiency and creative output of the design department within a game development studio.

• The Design Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of a multidisciplinary design team, ensuring seamless workflow and project alignment.

• A key aspect involves bridging communication and strategy between the design team and studio leadership, influencing studio design philosophy and operational direction.

• This position requires a blend of strong interpersonal skills for mentorship and leadership, coupled with a deep understanding of game design principles and production realities to drive quality and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw job description, while focused on game design, contains significant elements of operational management, team leadership, and process oversight that align with Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, or GTM Operations roles in terms of structural responsibilities. The "operations" in this context refers to the management and orchestration of a creative team and its output within a product development lifecycle, rather than traditional business operations. We are framing this role through an operations lens, emphasizing team management, process adherence, and strategic alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Management & Operational Oversight: Own the daily operations of a mixed-discipline design team (systems, level, content, narrative designers), setting priorities, removing blockers, and ensuring cohesive progress towards project goals.

• Strategic Alignment & Reporting: Serve as the primary liaison between the design team and studio leadership (reporting directly to the President/COO), translating the creative vision into actionable design team growth and mentorship plans that align people and product.

• Mentorship & People Development: Act as a coach and leader, focusing on individual designer growth, supporting career progression, and fostering a culture of creativity, quality, accountability, and collaboration.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with studio leadership and other department heads to manage the design team effectively, ensuring proactive alignment with the overall studio vision and production schedules.

• Quality Empowerment & Critique: Empower the design team to deliver high-quality work through consistent coaching, constructive critique, and supportive guidance.

• Design Philosophy & Innovation: Foster a passion for game design across genres, mechanics, and systems, drawing inspiration from varied sources and critically evaluating design quality.

• Problem Solving & Communication: Proactively identify and implement creative solutions to design and operational challenges, demonstrating strong communication skills and the ability to provide structure in ambiguous situations.

• Individual Contribution: Provide hands-on design support at an individual contributor level when necessary to ensure project success, embodying a "wear multiple hats" mentality common in smaller, agile teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are framed to highlight the operational aspects of managing a team, process, and output within a creative environment. Emphasis is placed on alignment, efficiency, and strategic contribution, which are core to operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong understanding of game design principles and team management practices is essential, often gained through formal education or equivalent experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1-2 shipped titles as a Lead Designer, Senior/Principal Designer, or Design Manager. Experience is valued based on shipped products rather than years of service.

• Demonstrated experience in leading or managing a mixed-discipline design team (systems, level, content, narrative). Required Skills:

• Design Leadership & Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage diverse design teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.

• Game Design Expertise: Deep understanding of core game design principles, mechanics, systems, and pipelines across various genres.

• Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Proficient in facilitating effective collaboration between design, art, production, and other development disciplines.

• Communication & Presentation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to brief executive leadership and conduct design critiques effectively.

• Task Estimation & Planning: Strong ability to estimate design tasks for production planning, leveraging team input and personal assessment.

Preferred Skills:

• Engine & Tool Proficiency: Working knowledge of Unreal Engine (Blueprints, scripting languages like LUA, C#), design documentation tools, and project tracking software (Jira, Trello, ClickUp, Notion, etc.).

• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to independently identify and propose innovative solutions to complex design and production challenges.

• Studio Vision Alignment: Experience in translating high-level creative vision into tangible design team strategies and operational plans.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "required" and "preferred" skills are interpreted through an operations lens, emphasizing leadership, process management, and technical proficiency relevant to a design operations context.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Shipped Titles: A portfolio showcasing at least 1-2 shipped game titles where you held a significant design or management role, demonstrating concrete project delivery and impact.

• Leadership Case Studies: Examples of how you've led design teams, managed workflows, resolved conflicts, or implemented process improvements within a development cycle.

• Design Documentation Samples: Examples of clear, concise design documentation (e.g., GDD excerpts, system design docs, level design briefs) that illustrate your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

• Process Improvement Initiatives: Documentation or descriptions of processes you've implemented or optimized to enhance team efficiency, collaboration, or design quality.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of your ability to map out, analyze, and improve design workflows to ensure efficient progression from concept to implementation.

• System Implementation Standards: Examples of how you've ensured the consistent and high-quality implementation of design systems across a team.

• Performance Measurement: Methods or examples of how you track and measure the effectiveness of design processes and team performance, linking them to project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates the "Design Manager" role into operations-centric portfolio expectations, focusing on process, workflow, and demonstrable leadership impact rather than purely creative output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $200,000 USD per year. This range is competitive for a Design Manager role with significant leadership responsibilities in the US game development industry, particularly for a fully remote position.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance for employees and dependents.

• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance coverage.

• Paid Parental Leave.

• 401k and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.

• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) and a flexible work schedule.

• Stipend for a comfortable work-from-home setup.

• Monthly snack box delivered to home.

• Monthly stipend for Work From Home (WFH) expenses.

Working Hours: While specific hours are flexible, the role implies a standard full-time commitment (approximately 40 hours per week) with the flexibility to manage one's schedule, especially given the remote nature and flexible PTO.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is confirmed from the input data. Benefits are listed as provided, with an emphasis on aspects supporting remote work and employee well-being, which are critical operational considerations for talent retention.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development. Squanch Games operates within a highly competitive and creative industry, where innovation, quality, and efficient production are paramount.

Company Size: Small to Medium-sized (implied by "small team that takes pride in wearing multiple hats" and the remote-first structure). This size often fosters agility, direct impact, and a close-knit team dynamic.

Founded: Not specified, but the company's established presence and focus on shipping titles suggest a mature organization within the industry.

Team Structure:

• Design Department: A multidisciplinary team comprising Systems Designers, Level Designers, Content Designers, and Narrative Designers, all reporting to the Design Manager.

• Reporting Hierarchy: The Design Manager reports directly to the President/COO, indicating a high level of visibility and direct influence on executive-level decisions.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close working relationships are expected with other department heads (Art, Production, Engineering, etc.) to ensure integrated project execution.

Methodology:

• Agile & Iterative Development: Given the industry and team size, an agile or iterative development methodology is likely employed, emphasizing flexibility, continuous feedback, and rapid prototyping.

• Data-Informed Design: While creative, design decisions are likely informed by player feedback, analytics (from playtests or previous titles), and production constraints.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: A culture that encourages open discussion, critique, and collective problem-solving across disciplines to achieve the best possible game design.

Company Website: https://squanchgames.com/ (Derived from the domain)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is inferred from the industry and job description to provide a richer understanding of the operational environment and team dynamics for potential candidates.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the design function, akin to a Senior Operations Manager or Director in a non-creative industry. It involves direct people management, strategic input, and operational oversight of a critical department.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager reports directly to the President/COO, providing a clear line of sight to executive leadership and significant influence. This structure is typical for critical functional leads in smaller organizations.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's impact is substantial, directly influencing the quality and timely delivery of game products. Their effective management of the design team and processes directly affects the studio's overall success, market competitiveness, and ability to achieve its creative and business objectives. They are instrumental in shaping the studio's design philosophy and operational execution.

Growth Opportunities:

• Expanded Leadership Scope: Potential to grow into a VP of Design or Head of Studio role, overseeing multiple disciplines or a larger portion of the development team.

• Strategic Influence: Deeper involvement in studio-wide strategic planning, product roadmapping, and design philosophy development.

• Specialization or Generalization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in a specific design discipline or broaden leadership skills across the entire development pipeline.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Lead initiatives to refine and standardize design operations, tools, and methodologies across the studio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the career path and impact in terms of operational leadership and strategic contribution, relevant to operations professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Completely Remote Studio. This is a core aspect of the work environment, designed to attract talent nationwide.

Office Location(s): The studio operates across the United States, with a goal to have representation in all 50 states. This distributed model requires robust remote collaboration tools and practices.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration Tools: Heavy reliance on digital communication and project management tools (e.g., Slack, Discord, Jira, Notion, video conferencing) to maintain team cohesion and productivity.

• Autonomy & Flexibility: Employees are empowered to create their own comfortable work-from-home setups, with stipends provided to support this. The flexible schedule and PTO further enhance autonomy.

• Team Interaction: While remote, the emphasis on mentorship, critique, and cross-functional collaboration suggests structured opportunities for interaction, such as regular team meetings, design reviews, and one-on-one sessions.

Work Schedule: Flexible schedule, with a standard full-time commitment (approx. 40 hours/week) expected. The flexibility allows individuals to manage their time effectively while ensuring project deadlines and team coordination needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote-first nature is a critical operational characteristic that influences communication, collaboration, and the overall employee experience.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or hiring manager review of application, resume, and portfolio to assess foundational qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the President/COO or direct hiring manager to evaluate leadership style, design philosophy, operational approach, and cultural fit.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Meetings with current design team members and potentially other department leads to assess collaboration skills, mentorship capabilities, and cross-functional compatibility.

• Portfolio Review & Case Study: A dedicated session to present and discuss past work, focusing on leadership contributions, process improvements, and problem-solving methodologies. This may involve a specific design challenge or hypothetical scenario.

• Final Interview: Potential final round with senior leadership to confirm alignment with studio vision and strategic goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each shipped title, clearly articulate your specific contributions, leadership role, and the impact of your decisions on the final product and team performance. Use metrics where possible.

• Showcase Process: Present examples of how you've managed design workflows, implemented new processes, or improved team efficiency. Detail the problem, your solution, and the outcome.

• Highlight Mentorship: Include examples of how you've coached designers, supported their growth, and fostered a positive team culture.

• Demonstrate Problem Solving: Select case studies that showcase your ability to identify challenges (design, production, or team-related) and implement effective, creative solutions.

• Tailor to Operations: Frame your experience and achievements in terms of operational excellence, team enablement, and strategic contribution to the business objectives of game development.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design & Operational Scenarios: Be prepared for hypothetical questions about managing difficult team members, resolving design conflicts, prioritizing competing project demands, or improving a specific design process.

• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate your ability to think about the broader implications of design decisions on production, player experience, and business goals.

• Communication Clarity: Practice articulating complex design and operational concepts concisely and persuasively, adapting your language for different audiences (e.g., technical team vs. executive leadership).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is structured to assess not just design acumen but also operational leadership, team management, and strategic alignment, crucial for a role with broad operational influence.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engine: Unreal Engine (proficient understanding of Blueprints and/or scripting languages like LUA, C# is highly valued). This is central to the game development pipeline.

• Project Management: Jira, Trello, ClickUp, Notion, or similar platforms for task tracking, workflow management, and team collaboration.

• Documentation Tools: Software for creating and sharing design documents (e.g., Confluence, Google Docs, dedicated GDD software).

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for this role, familiarity with game analytics platforms or tools used to track player behavior and game performance would be beneficial for data-informed design decisions. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable in the traditional business sense. However, familiarity with workflow automation within project management tools or game development pipelines could be relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack focuses on tools critical for game development and team operations, highlighting the specific software relevant to this industry and role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A deep commitment to delivering high-quality, well-designed games that resonate with players.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across disciplines, supporting each other, and achieving collective success.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for tasks, decisions, and outcomes, both individually and as a team.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging new ideas, pushing boundaries, and fostering an environment where creative solutions can thrive.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on learning, adapting, and refining processes and designs to achieve better results.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where feedback is freely given and received, and diverse perspectives are valued.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless integration with Art, Engineering, and Production teams to ensure a unified development vision and efficient workflow.

• Mentorship & Support: A culture where senior team members actively guide and support junior members, promoting skill development and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The cultural values are inferred from the job description's emphasis on leadership, mentorship, quality, and collaboration, framed to align with operational principles of efficiency and effectiveness.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Ambition with Production Realities: Effectively managing the team to deliver innovative designs within project timelines and budget constraints.

• Remote Team Management: Maintaining strong team cohesion, communication, and productivity across a distributed workforce.

• Cross-Discipline Alignment: Ensuring consistent understanding and execution of the game vision across diverse development disciplines.

• Talent Development & Retention: Identifying and nurturing design talent, and ensuring the team remains motivated and engaged.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Leadership Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to refine management, coaching, and strategic planning skills through direct experience and potential mentorship.

• Industry Exposure: Staying abreast of the latest trends in game design, technology, and development methodologies.

• Studio Influence: Direct impact on shaping the future design direction and operational processes of Squanch Games.

• Broadening Expertise: Gaining exposure to various aspects of game development beyond design, contributing to a holistic understanding of the business.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are presented from an operational perspective, focusing on management, process, and strategic development within the context of game development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Team Management: "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting priorities within your design team. How did you resolve it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on prioritization, delegation, and conflict resolution).

• Design Philosophy & Operational Alignment: "How do you balance a studio's creative vision with the practical constraints of production and team capabilities?" (Prepare to discuss your approach to translating vision into actionable plans and managing expectations).

• Mentorship & Growth: "How do you identify and support the career growth of individual designers on your team, especially those with different experience levels?" (Highlight your coaching methods and people development strategies).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding Squanch Games: "What excites you about Squanch Games and our approach to game development? How do you see your role contributing to our studio's design philosophy?" (Research their games, company values, and recent news).

• Remote Culture Fit: "How do you foster a strong team culture and ensure effective collaboration in a fully remote environment?" (Prepare to discuss your strategies for remote team engagement and communication).

• Operational Impact: "How do you measure the success of your design team and the impact of your leadership on project outcomes?" (Be ready to discuss key performance indicators and metrics relevant to design output).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio by shipped titles, highlighting your specific role, responsibilities, and key achievements within each. For leadership roles, include dedicated sections or case studies on team management, process improvements, and problem-solving.

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., "Improved team velocity by X%", "Reduced design iteration time by Y%", "Contributed to a critically acclaimed title").

• Tell a Story: For each project or case study, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your approach, the solution, and the results. Emphasize your leadership and operational contributions.

• Showcase Process Thinking: Be prepared to walk through your design processes, how you manage workflows, and how you ensure quality and efficiency within your team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation is tailored to assess operational leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage a creative team effectively, aligning with the operational demands of the role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Rippling ATS.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight leadership experience, shipped titles, team management accomplishments, and any experience with process improvement or operational oversight in game development. Use keywords from the job description such as "Design Management," "Team Leadership," "Unreal Engine," "Cross-discipline Collaboration," and "Task Estimation."

• Portfolio Curation: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your 1-2 shipped titles, detailing your specific contributions and leadership impact. Prepare case studies that illustrate your problem-solving skills, process management, and mentorship abilities, framing them with an operational lens.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your leadership philosophy, approach to team management, and understanding of game design operations. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your portfolio that demonstrate your ability to balance creative ambition with production realities in a remote setting.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Squanch Games' existing titles, company culture, and any publicly available information on their development philosophy. Understand their remote-first operational model.

⚠️ 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.

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