Lead UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UX Designer

Company: CD PROJEKT RED

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Game Design / User Experience Operations

Date Posted: 2026-02-10

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the definition and execution of the overall user experience (UX) for Project Sirius, a new multiplayer game within The Witcher universe, ensuring an inclusive, intuitive, and immersive player journey.

• Lead and mentor a team of UX designers, establishing and promoting inclusive best practices and methodologies to foster a collaborative and high-performing design environment.

• Drive the design and prototyping of complex UI navigation, game flow, and moment-to-moment interactive clarity, working closely with UI Artists to ensure visual and interactive cohesion.

• Translate player needs and feedback, derived from user research, playtesting, and community insights, into actionable design improvements that enhance player engagement and satisfaction.

• Manage the creation and maintenance of comprehensive design documentation, ensuring seamless implementation alignment with project timelines and resources in collaboration with the Production team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Lead" within UX Design, indicating significant responsibility for team guidance, strategic direction, and quality assurance of UX deliverables. The focus on "Project Sirius" and "The Witcher universe" highlights a specialized application within the gaming industry, requiring deep understanding of player psychology and interactive entertainment design principles. The hybrid work model suggests a need for strong self-management and effective remote collaboration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and oversee the UX architecture for all player-facing interfaces, including game menus, HUDs, and player progression systems, ensuring intuitive navigation and flow.

• Collaborate closely with Lead UI Artist to ensure that visual design elements and interactive components of the UI are harmonized, supporting the overall player experience and brand identity.

• Conduct and analyze playtests, gathering qualitative and quantitative data to identify usability issues and opportunities for UX refinement, directly influencing design iterations.

• Partner with UX Researchers to integrate findings from user interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis into the design process, ensuring a player-centered approach.

• Develop and maintain detailed UX design documentation, including wireframes, user flow diagrams, interaction specifications, and style guides, for effective communication with development teams.

• Champion accessibility standards and inclusive design principles throughout the UX development lifecycle, ensuring the game is enjoyable for a broad audience.

• Provide constructive feedback to team members and stakeholders, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and shared learning within the design department.

• Contribute to the strategic vision of Project Sirius by advocating for UX best practices and ensuring player needs are prioritized throughout the development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design, and cross-functional collaboration, typical for a Lead role in a AAA game development environment. The inclusion of "Unreal Engine" interest points towards practical application of design principles within a specific development pipeline.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: Approximately 5+ years of dedicated UX Design experience, with a demonstrated progression into leadership or mentorship roles. Proven track record of shipping at least one AAA title is mandatory.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in User Experience (UX) Design principles and methodologies, with a strong portfolio showcasing complex interactive systems.

• Proven leadership experience, including guiding, mentoring, and managing a team of designers.

• Deep understanding of current game industry trends, player expectations, and best practices in AAA game development.

• Proficiency with industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud, and collaborative platforms like Miro.

• Strong grasp of Information Architecture, UI/UX best practices, and user-centered design principles.

• Ability to effectively translate user research, playtest feedback, and player insights into actionable design solutions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience designing for multiplayer games, understanding the unique UX challenges and opportunities.

• Familiarity and hands-on experience with prototyping and wireframing within Unreal Engine.

• Experience working with UX Researchers and integrating their findings into design workflows.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and experience implementing inclusive design solutions in games.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a need for both strategic leadership and practical design skills, with a strong emphasis on game industry experience and specific tool proficiency. The "nice to haves" are particularly relevant for a multiplayer game, suggesting a focus on community, progression, and persistent online experiences.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a minimum of one shipped AAA title where the candidate played a significant UX leadership role.

• Demonstrations of end-to-end UX design process, from initial concept and research to detailed wireframing, prototyping, and post-launch iteration.

• Case studies that clearly articulate design challenges, user research methodologies, iterative design solutions, and measurable UX improvements.

• Examples of complex interface designs, user flows, and interaction models, particularly those related to game menus, player progression, or core gameplay loops.

Process Documentation:

• Clear documentation of UX workflows, including how user research, playtesting, and feedback are integrated into the design lifecycle.

• Examples of design documentation such as user flow diagrams, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and style guides, demonstrating clarity and thoroughness.

• Evidence of collaboration with Production to ensure design deliverables are aligned with project timelines and development capabilities.

• Documentation of how accessibility and inclusive design principles were considered and implemented within the design process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead UX Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It must not only showcase design quality but also leadership capabilities, process maturity, and the ability to drive a team toward impactful UX outcomes within a complex game development environment. The emphasis on AAA titles and specific game mechanics is critical.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $149,500 - $205,600 USD annually.

This range is based on competitive market data for Lead UX Designer roles in the Boston area, considering the experience level (5-10 years), industry (AAA Gaming), and the specific responsibilities outlined. The final offer will depend on individual qualifications, experience, and specific business needs.

Benefits:

• Company-paid medical healthcare (including dental, vision, and mental health coverage).

• Free mental health support, encompassing counseling, psychiatric care, and well-being webinars.

• Generous paid leave: 26 days of vacation, 10 sick days, and 12 paid calendar holidays annually.

• 401K retirement plan with employer matching contributions.

• Gym Membership Reimbursement to promote employee health and wellness.

• Menstrual leave, offering an additional day off for employees experiencing period pain.

• RED Parents Network providing support for working parents, including childcare benefits and family-friendly events.

• Discretionary stock options may be offered, providing potential for equity participation.

Working Hours: Flexible working hours are available, allowing employees to manage their schedules effectively, supporting a hybrid work model. A standard full-time commitment is approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided by the employer. The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific inclusions like menstrual leave and a dedicated parents' network, which are noteworthy. The flexible working hours and hybrid model are key aspects for work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Video Game Development. CD PROJEKT RED is a globally renowned developer and publisher known for its critically acclaimed, story-driven RPGs, particularly "The Witcher" series and "Cyberpunk 2077." Their focus is on creating high-quality, immersive experiences that resonate deeply with players.

Company Size: CD PROJEKT RED is a large organization with multiple studios, employing hundreds to thousands of individuals globally. This size offers stability, significant project resources, and opportunities for diverse career paths within the company.

Founded: CD PROJEKT RED was founded in 2002. With over two decades of experience, the company has established a strong reputation for pushing creative boundaries and delivering impactful gaming experiences.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is likely structured to support specific game projects, with a Lead UX Designer overseeing a group of UX Designers, potentially specializing in different areas like core gameplay UX, menu UX, or accessibility.

• This role reports to the Design Director, indicating a clear hierarchy and strategic alignment with the overall game design vision.

Methodology:

• A player-centered design approach is fundamental, integrating user research, playtesting, and community feedback throughout the development cycle.

• Iterative design and agile methodologies are likely employed, allowing for flexibility and continuous refinement of the user experience.

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, using analytics and observed player behavior to inform design choices.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core methodology, ensuring that UX considerations are integrated into all aspects of game development.

Company Website: https://www.cdprojektred.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: CD PROJEKT RED's reputation for narrative-driven RPGs suggests a company culture that values deep storytelling, player immersion, and high production quality. The emphasis on "Project Sirius" indicates a new venture, likely requiring innovative UX solutions within an established IP.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the User Experience discipline of game development. As a Lead UX Designer, the individual is responsible for not only their own design output but also for guiding a team, setting UX standards, and influencing the strategic direction of the player experience for a major game title. This is a critical role with significant ownership and impact.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UX Designer reports directly to the Design Director. This position likely has direct reports, including other UX Designers working on Project Sirius. This structure places the role at a key intersection of creative vision and execution, bridging high-level design strategy with day-to-day development.

Operations Impact: The UX Lead's impact is profound, directly shaping how players interact with and perceive the game. A well-executed UX strategy leads to increased player engagement, higher retention rates, positive critical reception, and ultimately, commercial success. By ensuring an inclusive and intuitive experience, the Lead UX Designer contributes significantly to the game's accessibility and broad market appeal.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to grow into a Senior Lead, Art Director, or Director of UX role, overseeing multiple projects or the entire UX discipline for the studio.

• Specialized Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas such as accessibility, player psychology, or advanced prototyping within Unreal Engine.

• Project Scope Expansion: Leading UX for larger, more complex projects or new IP development within CD PROJEKT RED.

• Mentorship and Training: Developing strong mentorship skills by guiding junior designers, contributing to internal training programs, and shaping the UX talent pipeline.

• Industry Recognition: Contributing to high-profile, successful game titles can lead to significant professional recognition and career opportunities within the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned as a significant step up from a Senior UX Designer. Growth potential is clearly tied to expanding leadership scope and deepening expertise within the demanding AAA game development sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is based in the Boston Studio and offers a hybrid working mode. This indicates a professional office environment that facilitates in-person collaboration, supplemented by remote work flexibility. The office is described as dog-friendly, suggesting a relaxed and pet-inclusive atmosphere.

Office Location(s): Boston, Massachusetts, USA. This location offers access to a vibrant tech and creative industry hub, with potential for networking and collaboration with other creative professionals.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on cross-departmental work suggest an environment designed for both focused individual work and dynamic team interaction. The dog-friendly policy contributes to a more relaxed and approachable office culture.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to industry-standard UX design tools (Figma, Sketch, Creative Cloud), collaboration platforms (Miro), and likely the game development engine (Unreal Engine) for prototyping and implementation testing.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with a diverse, international team through planned meetings, brainstorming sessions, and informal communication channels, both in person and remotely.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key feature, allowing employees to adjust their start and end times around core working hours. This flexibility is beneficial for managing personal commitments and optimizing productivity, especially within a hybrid work setup.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role and the dog-friendly office are key indicators of the company's approach to work-life balance and office culture. The Boston location places it within a significant creative and technology ecosystem.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and fit for the role.

• Technical Interview (Round 1): Focused on UX design principles, methodologies, and tool proficiency. May involve a portfolio walkthrough and discussion of past projects.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview (Round 2): Deeper dive into leadership experience, team management style, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit. May include scenario-based questions related to leading UX initiatives.

• Design Exercise/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design exercise or present a detailed case study from their portfolio, focusing on problem-solving, process, and impact. This is crucial for a Lead role.

• Final Interview (Design Director): Strategic discussion about the candidate's vision for UX within Project Sirius, alignment with company goals, and overall suitability for a leadership position.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership: Clearly articulate your role in leading UX initiatives, managing designers, and influencing project direction. Use "I" for personal contributions and "We" for team efforts, clearly distinguishing your specific impact.

• Showcase Process: Detail your UX process for at least one AAA title. Explain your rationale for choices, how you incorporated research and feedback, and how you iterated on designs.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your UX solutions. For example, "Reduced player drop-off in tutorial by X%" or "Positive feedback on intuitive navigation."

• Address Multiplayer Nuances: If possible, include examples relevant to multiplayer game UX, such as matchmaking, social features, progression systems, or managing player expectations in a live service environment.

• Tailor to CD PROJEKT RED: Research their previous titles and understand their approach to narrative and player immersion. Show how your UX philosophy aligns with their brand and mission.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Project Sirius: Research what is publicly known about Project Sirius (even if limited) and the Witcher universe. Consider potential UX challenges for a multiplayer game in this IP.

• Prepare Case Studies: Select 2-3 strong case studies that demonstrate your leadership, problem-solving skills, and impact. Be ready to discuss them in depth, including challenges faced and lessons learned.

• Articulate Design Philosophy: Be ready to discuss your approach to inclusive design, accessibility, and creating immersive player experiences.

• Practice Communication: Rehearse explaining complex UX concepts clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a diverse group of stakeholders (developers, artists, producers).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and a potential design exercise highlights the practical, results-oriented nature of this role. Candidates must prove not only design acumen but also leadership capability and strategic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Design: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD). Proficiency in one or more of these is essential for creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Collaboration: Miro, Jira, Confluence. These tools are critical for team collaboration, workflow management, and documentation in a hybrid and cross-functional environment.

• Game Engine (Interest): Unreal Engine. While not explicitly stated as a requirement for design, an interest in implementing and refining UX features within Unreal Engine is a significant plus, suggesting familiarity with its capabilities and limitations.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to UX Design tools, but understanding how CRM or player data platforms might inform UX research or personalization efforts could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard UX design and collaboration tools is a baseline requirement. The mention of "Unreal Engine" points to the importance of understanding the development environment for effective UX implementation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and prioritizing the player experience in all design decisions.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging novel solutions and pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment design.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and teams work together towards common goals.

• Excellence & Quality: A dedication to delivering high-quality, polished experiences that meet the studio's renowned standards.

• Kindness & Respect: Promoting a supportive and inclusive work environment where individuals are treated with respect.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect close collaboration with UI Artists, Game Designers, UX Researchers, Producers, and Engineers. Open communication and shared understanding are key.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is regularly given and received, leading to continuous improvement of both the product and team processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and broader studio to elevate the collective skill set.

📝 Enhancement Note: CD PROJEKT RED's stated values emphasize a strong player focus, creative ambition, and a collaborative, respectful team dynamic. These are crucial for success in a lead role that requires influencing and guiding others.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Player Needs with Business Goals: Effectively mediating between player desires for immersion and intuitive gameplay, and the technical/business constraints of game development.

• Leading in a Hybrid Environment: Ensuring cohesive team direction, effective communication, and consistent quality across distributed team members.

• Defining UX for a New IP/Mode: Establishing the foundational UX for Project Sirius, a multiplayer game within an established universe, requires innovative thinking while respecting the franchise's legacy.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Aligning diverse stakeholder visions (design, marketing, production, executive) on the optimal player experience.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Multiplayer UX: Gain specialized expertise in the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for online, multiplayer gaming experiences.

• Unreal Engine Integration: Develop practical skills in prototyping and implementing UX directly within the Unreal Engine environment.

• Leadership Expansion: Hone management and mentorship skills through direct team leadership and potentially contributing to studio-wide UX initiatives.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, participate in workshops, and stay abreast of the latest UX trends in gaming.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a lead role in a complex, creative industry. The growth opportunities are directly tied to the specific demands of the role and the cutting-edge nature of game development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to defining and implementing the core UX vision for a new AAA game title, especially one within an established IP like The Witcher." (Focus on strategic thinking, research integration, and team leadership.)

• "How do you ensure inclusivity and accessibility are integrated into the UX design process from the outset, and can you provide an example?" (Assess understanding of modern UX principles and practical application.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Project Sirius and the prospect of working within The Witcher universe?" (Gauge genuine interest and alignment with the company's brand.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and feedback-driven culture within a UX team, particularly in a hybrid work setting?" (Assess leadership style and team-building capabilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio presentation around 2-3 key projects, emphasizing your role, the problem, your process, the solution, and the outcome. For a lead role, highlight team management and strategic contributions.

• Showcase Leadership: Clearly articulate where you led the team, made critical decisions, mentored designers, or influenced the overall UX direction.

• Demonstrate Process: Visually or verbally walk through your UX process for a significant project, explaining the 'why' behind your choices. Use diagrams, wireframes, and prototypes effectively.

• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, present data (playtest results, user feedback, metrics) that showcases the positive impact of your UX work.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you handled specific challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, a deep understanding of UX processes, and a player-centric approach, all within the context of AAA game development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters. Ensure all fields are completed accurately.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience with AAA titles, leadership roles, and any relevant multiplayer game design. Focus on projects that demonstrate your ability to define and execute a comprehensive UX vision.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your 5+ years of UX design experience, specifically mentioning leadership responsibilities and shipped AAA titles. Use keywords from the job description like "UX Design," "Leadership," "Prototyping," "Unreal Engine," and "Game Flow."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and key project case studies. Prepare to discuss your experience with tools like Figma and your understanding of game development pipelines.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CD PROJEKT RED's history, their games (especially The Witcher series), and their mission. Understand their commitment to storytelling and player immersion, and consider how your UX approach aligns with these values.

⚠️ 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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