Senior Game Designer - Mobile Games (Systems, UX & LiveOps)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Game Designer - Mobile Games (Systems, UX & LiveOps)

Company: UserWise Services

Location: Poland

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Game Design Operations / Live Operations

Date Posted: 2026-03-26

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and own end-to-end gameplay systems, from core loops to live operations (LiveOps) for mobile games.

• Drive player experience through UX, progression systems, and retention strategies, ensuring engaging and long-term player investment.

• Develop and manage game economy design and monetization systems, aligning with product goals and player value.

• Translate product vision and goals into clear, production-ready design specifications for engineering, art, and QA teams.

• Leverage AI-assisted tools to accelerate design iteration, content creation, and overall production speed.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is explicitly focused on the operational aspects of game design within the mobile gaming sector, emphasizing systems, user experience, and the continuous engagement strategies of LiveOps. The emphasis on AI-assisted workflows and a high-speed, execution-focused environment suggests a unique operational model within game development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design, iterate, and refine core gameplay loops, mechanics, systems, and features that form the foundation of the player experience.

• Own the complete player journey, from onboarding and initial engagement through long-term progression, retention mechanics, and overall user experience (UX).

• Develop and meticulously balance the in-game economy, including virtual currencies, item progression, and monetization systems, ensuring fair value and revenue generation.

• Create comprehensive design documentation, including detailed specifications, flowcharts, and wireframes, to effectively communicate design intent to cross-functional teams.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, artists, and QA testers throughout the development lifecycle to ensure timely and high-quality feature delivery.

• Employ AI-assisted design tools to rapidly prototype, test, and iterate on gameplay concepts and content, enhancing design velocity.

• Analyze player behavior data, performance metrics, and A/B test results to identify areas for improvement and continuously optimize gameplay for engagement and monetization.

• Contribute to the strategic planning and execution of LiveOps events, content updates, and feature releases to maintain player interest and drive ongoing revenue.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep dive into the "systems" aspect of game design, which in an operations context, means building robust, scalable, and data-informed frameworks. The emphasis on "end-to-end" ownership for systems, UX, and LiveOps indicates a high degree of autonomy and impact.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Psychology, or a related field is often beneficial for understanding complex systems and player behavior. Equivalent practical experience will be strongly considered.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in game design, with a strong focus on mobile games (casual or hybrid-casual genres) is required. Demonstrable experience in shipping at least one mobile game from inception through launch and into its live operations phase is critical.

Required Skills:

• Mobile Game Design Expertise: Proven track record of designing and shipping successful mobile games, specifically in casual or hybrid-casual genres.

• Systems Design Proficiency: Deep understanding and practical experience in designing complex game systems, core loops, progression mechanics, and meta-game structures.

• User Experience (UX) Design: Strong command of UX principles applied to mobile gaming, focusing on intuitive interfaces, player onboarding, and overall ease of use.

• LiveOps Strategy: Experience in designing and implementing features, events, and content updates for live mobile games to drive player retention and engagement.

• Economy and Monetization Design: Expertise in creating balanced in-game economies and effective monetization strategies that align with player experience and business objectives.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to analyze game data, player behavior, and A/B test results to inform design decisions and optimize game performance.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with product, engineering, art, and QA teams.

• Execution Focus & Ownership: A proactive, results-oriented mindset with the ability to take ownership of features and drive them to completion rapidly.

• Game Deconstruction & Analysis: Ability to critically analyze existing games, identify key mechanics and systems, and translate learnings into new designs.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI-assisted design tools and workflows.

• Familiarity with the specific franchises mentioned in the company description (e.g., Fruit Ninja, Wordscapes).

• Experience working in a fast-paced, startup-like environment with minimal bureaucracy.

• Understanding of global market nuances for mobile games.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements emphasize "execution" and "shipping," aligning with the operational focus. The ability to "deep-dive and deconstruct games" is a key analytical skill for operations roles, enabling data-informed improvements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• System Design Case Studies: Showcase detailed examples of game systems designed, including core loops, progression frameworks, and economy balancing. Clearly articulate the design rationale, intended player impact, and implemented mechanics.

• LiveOps Feature Design: Present designs for LiveOps events, content updates, or special features implemented in shipped games. Detail the goals of these features, how they were integrated, and their impact on player retention or monetization.

• UX Flow Demonstrations: Include examples of user flow diagrams, wireframes, or prototypes that illustrate intuitive player experiences, onboarding processes, or complex feature interactions.

• Monetization System Design: Provide examples of monetization strategies or economy designs, explaining the rationale behind pricing, virtual goods, and revenue drivers, and how they were integrated without compromising player experience.

• Data-Informed Iteration Examples: If possible, include examples where design decisions were informed by data analysis, A/B testing, or player feedback, demonstrating an iterative design process.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate ability to create clear, concise design documentation (e.g., GDDs, specifications) that effectively translates complex ideas into actionable tasks for development teams.

• AI Tool Integration: While not a formal requirement for the portfolio, be prepared to discuss how you have utilized or envision using AI tools to streamline design processes, generate content variations, or analyze player data.

• Performance Measurement: Be ready to discuss how you approach measuring the success of your designs, particularly in terms of player engagement, retention, and monetization metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are heavily geared towards demonstrating practical application of systems thinking, end-to-end ownership, and data-informed iteration – core tenets of operations roles. Specific case studies on LiveOps and economy design are crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the role is Senior level, fully remote, and based in Poland, and considering the company offers "market competitive, tax-free USD salaries," a strong estimate can be made. For a Senior Game Designer with 5-10 years of experience specializing in systems and LiveOps in a high-speed, execution-focused environment, the salary range in Poland would typically fall between 180,000 PLN to 300,000 PLN gross annually. However, the mention of "tax-free USD salaries" suggests a potential for international compensation structures. Based on industry benchmarks for similar senior remote roles in tech and gaming, and aiming for a tax-free USD equivalent that is competitive globally, a range of $80,000 - $130,000 USD annually is a reasonable estimate. This would be adjusted based on specific experience, demonstrated skills, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Market Competitive, Tax-Free USD Salary: Direct compensation that is benchmarked against global standards and offers a significant tax advantage.

• Paid Time Off: Standard provision for vacation and personal time, crucial for work-life balance in a high-speed environment.

• Performance Bonus: Opportunities for additional compensation tied to individual and company performance, incentivizing achievement of key operational and business goals.

• Annual Performance Reviews: Formalized opportunities for feedback, career development discussions, and salary adjustments, ensuring continuous growth and recognition.

Working Hours: The company describes a "High speed" environment and emphasizes "execution-focused." While the standard working hours are estimated at 40 hours per week, the nature of LiveOps and rapid iteration may require flexibility and a commitment to meeting deadlines and player needs, which is common in the gaming industry's operational functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimation is based on the provided location (Poland), experience level (Senior), and the explicit mention of "market competitive, tax-free USD salaries." This suggests a compensation structure that goes beyond local Polish benchmarks to attract global talent, hence the USD range. The benefits are directly extracted from the provided text.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Software / Gaming (specifically Mobile Games). UserWise Services operates in the fast-paced mobile gaming sector, leveraging AI-driven production to develop and scale games globally. This industry context means a focus on rapid iteration, data analysis, and player engagement.

Company Size: The description implies a growing, agile team rather than a large, established studio. The emphasis on "high-speed," "AI-assisted workflows," and "low bureaucracy" suggests a startup or a specialized unit within a larger entity, likely ranging from 50-200 employees based on typical operational teams for such a model.

Founded: The exact founding date is not specified, but the company's current operating model suggests a relatively recent establishment or a significant pivot towards its current AI-driven, high-speed production methodology. The mention of working on established franchises like Fruit Ninja and Wordscapes implies a level of maturity and established partnerships.

Team Structure:

• Agile & Specialized: The team is likely structured around specialized disciplines (design, engineering, product, QA) but operates with a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and shared ownership.

• Reporting: While a formal hierarchy might exist, the emphasis on "ownership" and "low bureaucracy" suggests flatter reporting lines, with direct access to decision-makers for engineers and designers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Essential for this role, requiring constant interaction with product, engineering, art, and QA to rapidly design, build, and iterate on features.

Methodology:

• AI-Driven Production: A core differentiator, integrating AI tools into the design, content creation, and iteration processes to achieve higher velocity and efficiency.

• Data-Informed Iteration: Continuous improvement driven by analyzing player data, A/B test results, and player feedback to refine gameplay systems and LiveOps strategies.

• Lean & Agile Execution: A focus on rapid prototyping, minimum viable product (MVP) releases, and quick iteration cycles, with an emphasis on shipping and learning over extensive upfront planning.

Company Website: [UserWise Services website is likely userwise.io, based on the derived domain]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is clearly defined by its operational philosophy: speed, ownership, AI integration, and minimal bureaucracy. This is crucial for operations professionals who thrive in efficient, results-oriented environments.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a "Senior" role, indicating a level of expertise and autonomy beyond mid-level positions. In an operations context, this means expected leadership in designing and implementing complex systems, mentoring junior team members (implicitly), and significantly influencing product direction through data-driven insights and strategic design. The scope covers the entire lifecycle of game features, from conceptualization to live operations and continuous optimization.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Lead Game Designer, Head of Design, or a Product Lead, with direct collaboration across engineering and product management. The emphasis on "low bureaucracy" suggests direct access to stakeholders for quicker decision-making and feedback loops.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and measurable impact on revenue and business decisions through the design of monetization systems, economy balancing, and LiveOps strategies that drive player engagement, retention, and spending. The focus on "outcomes, not process" means the impact is measured by tangible results (e.g., increased ARPU, improved retention rates, successful event participation).

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization in LiveOps & Systems: Deepen expertise in designing and managing complex, evolving live games.

• Leadership in AI-Driven Design: Become a key player in a team pioneering AI-assisted game production, potentially leading initiatives in this area.

• Product Strategy Influence: Contribute to higher-level product strategy by leveraging design expertise and data insights to identify new opportunities and game improvements.

• Cross-Disciplinary Skill Development: Gain exposure to product management, data analysis, and advanced production workflows within a unique gaming operational model.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation in this context implies a role that not only executes but also strategizes and potentially leads aspects of game operations. The growth opportunities are tied to mastering progressive operational methodologies in game development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote. This means the "office" is the candidate's own professional workspace, requiring self-discipline and effective remote collaboration tools.

Office Location(s): Primarily focused on candidates based in Poland, indicating a potential legal or tax structure that favors this region, or a concentration of talent there. However, the remote nature allows for a global talent pool within the specified constraints.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Heavy reliance on digital communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Discord, project management software) to maintain team cohesion and workflow.

• AI-Assisted Tools: Access to and proficiency with AI-driven design and content creation tools will be integral to the daily workflow, enabling faster iteration and content generation.

• Data & Analytics Platforms: Regular engagement with dashboards, analytics tools, and reporting platforms to monitor game performance and inform design decisions.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours, the "high-speed" and "execution-focused" nature of the company, particularly in LiveOps, suggests that flexibility and a commitment to achieving results are paramount. This might involve occasional work outside standard hours to manage critical game events or releases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote and high-speed nature of the work environment demands strong self-management skills and comfort with digital collaboration tools, which are essential operational competencies.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio, focusing on relevant mobile game design experience, systems design, and LiveOps contributions.

• Technical/Design Interview: A deep dive into candidate's portfolio, discussing specific systems designed, LiveOps strategies implemented, and economic models created. Expect detailed questions about design rationale, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved.

• LiveOps/Systems Challenge: A practical exercise or case study where the candidate might be asked to design a specific feature, optimize a system, or propose a LiveOps event based on given parameters and data insights (simulated or real).

• Cross-Functional Interview: Discussion with potential collaborators (e.g., engineers, product managers) to assess communication, collaboration style, and ability to translate design into production-ready assets.

• Cultural/Fit Interview: Assessment of alignment with UserWise's values: high ownership, high speed, execution focus, and comfort with AI-assisted workflows.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Systems Thinking: Clearly articulate the interconnectedness of game systems, economy, and player progression. Demonstrate how your designs contribute to a cohesive and engaging player experience.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, highlight specific metrics related to player retention, engagement, monetization, or feature adoption. Use data to tell the story of your design's success.

• Detail LiveOps Contributions: Clearly outline your role in designing or executing LiveOps events, content updates, or ongoing feature enhancements. Explain the strategic goals and outcomes.

• Demonstrate Execution: Provide examples of how you translated designs into production-ready specifications and collaborated with teams to ship features efficiently.

• Highlight AI/Data Usage: Be prepared to discuss how you leverage or would leverage data insights and AI tools to inform your design process and optimize game performance.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Core Loops & Monetization: Be ready to analyze and propose improvements for common mobile game loops and monetization strategies.

• Think Systematically: Approach challenges by breaking them down into core systems and considering their impact on the player experience and business objectives.

• Focus on Speed & Iteration: Frame your solutions with an understanding of the company's emphasis on rapid iteration and execution.

• Data Interpretation: Practice interpreting sample game data (e.g., retention curves, monetization metrics) to derive actionable insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and portfolio review are heavily weighted towards demonstrating practical, data-informed, and execution-oriented design skills, aligning with the operational demands of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engines: Proficiency with engines commonly used for mobile game development (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) is highly probable, even if not directly for coding. Understanding their capabilities is key.

• Design & Prototyping Tools: Familiarity with tools for wireframing, flowcharting, and rapid prototyping (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Miro, Lucidchart) will be essential for creating production-ready designs.

• AI-Assisted Design Tools: This is a core differentiator. While specific tools are not named, candidates should be prepared to discuss experience with or a strong aptitude for using AI in content generation, design iteration, or data analysis.

• Game Design Documentation Tools: Experience with tools or platforms for creating and managing Game Design Documents (GDDs) and feature specifications.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Mobile Game Analytics Platforms: Proficiency with tools like GameAnalytics, DeltaDNA, Firebase Analytics, or similar platforms to track player behavior, engagement metrics, and monetization performance.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or in-game analytics dashboards for interpreting and presenting performance data.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Software: Tools such as Jira, Asana, Trello, or similar for managing tasks, workflows, and team collaboration.

• Communication Platforms: Slack, Discord, or similar for real-time team communication and coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI-assisted tools" is a critical component of the technology stack. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience or willingness to learn and integrate these into their workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• High Ownership: Taking full responsibility for systems, features, and player experience from conception to live operations. This translates to accountability for outcomes.

• High Speed & Execution Focus: Prioritizing rapid iteration, efficient development, and timely delivery of features and content over bureaucratic processes.

• Data-Driven: Making design decisions based on objective data, player behavior analysis, and performance metrics to ensure optimal game performance and monetization.

• Innovation (AI-Assisted): Embracing new technologies, particularly AI, to enhance design workflows, accelerate content creation, and push the boundaries of game production.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across disciplines to achieve common goals, with clear communication and mutual respect.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Agile: Communication is likely to be direct, efficient, and focused on problem-solving. The emphasis on "low bureaucracy" suggests minimal formal meetings and more ad-hoc, solution-oriented discussions.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture where feedback is regularly exchanged and incorporated into designs and processes to facilitate continuous improvement.

• Outcome-Oriented: Collaboration is driven by the shared goal of shipping successful, high-performing games and features, with a focus on measurable results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's values are deeply ingrained in its operational approach. Understanding and aligning with these values, particularly "high speed" and "execution focus," is crucial for success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Speed and Quality: Maintaining high design quality and player experience while operating at the company's demanded "high speed."

• Integrating AI Effectively: Successfully adopting and leveraging AI tools to genuinely enhance design processes without compromising creative control or player experience.

• Data Interpretation Complexity: Deriving actionable insights from vast amounts of player data and translating them into effective design changes.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration within a fully remote, fast-paced global team.

• Evolving LiveOps Strategies: Continuously adapting game content and features to keep players engaged in a competitive mobile market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering AI in Game Design: Become an expert in applying AI tools to game development, a rapidly growing field.

• Advanced LiveOps Strategy: Develop deep expertise in player lifecycle management, event design, and long-term game economy sustainability.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Gain experience in influencing product strategy and collaborating with diverse teams in a unique production environment.

• Global Market Insights: Develop a nuanced understanding of player behavior and market trends across different global regions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a rapidly evolving, tech-forward operational environment. The growth opportunities are directly linked to mastering these challenges and developing specialized skills in AI, LiveOps, and data-driven design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex game system you designed for a mobile game. What were the core mechanics, how did you balance it, and what was the player impact?" (Focus on systems design, rationale, and outcomes).

• "Walk me through a LiveOps event or feature you designed. What were the objectives, how did you implement it, and what were the results in terms of engagement or monetization?" (Focus on LiveOps execution and impact).

• "How would you approach designing the economy for a new free-to-play mobile game, considering both player progression and monetization?" (Focus on economy design principles and balance).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does 'high speed' and 'execution focus' mean to you in a game development context, and how do you embody these values?" (Assesses cultural fit and operational mindset).

• "How have you used AI-assisted tools in your design process, or how would you envision integrating them into your workflow?" (Assesses adaptability and forward-thinking).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Prioritize Impactful Systems: Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your ability in systems design, UX, and LiveOps.

• Quantify Everything: For each project, clearly present the goals, your role, the design solutions, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., % increase in retention, ARPU, engagement).

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentations to narrate the design process, the challenges, and the solutions, emphasizing your thought process and decision-making.

• Demonstrate Data Literacy: Be prepared to discuss how data informed your design choices and how you measured success.

• Highlight AI/Efficiency: If applicable, showcase how you've optimized processes or used tools (including AI) to increase efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical, data-informed, and execution-oriented skills, with a clear understanding of the company's unique operational model.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Game Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workable link.

• Curate a Portfolio Focused on Systems & LiveOps: Select 2-3 of your strongest mobile game projects that specifically highlight your expertise in designing core gameplay systems, player progression, economy balancing, and LiveOps features. Ensure each project clearly articulates your role, the design challenges, your solutions, and, most importantly, quantifiable results.

• Tailor Your Resume for Operations: Emphasize keywords related to systems design, LiveOps, UX, economy design, player retention, data analysis, AI-assisted workflows, and execution. Quantify your achievements with metrics wherever possible, aligning with the company's focus on outcomes.

• Prepare to Discuss AI Integration: Be ready to articulate your experience with or your approach to using AI-assisted tools in game design, content creation, or data analysis, as this is a key differentiator for UserWise.

• Research UserWise's Operational Model: Understand the company's emphasis on "high speed," "ownership," and "low bureaucracy." Prepare to discuss how your working style and design philosophy align with these principles.

⚠️ 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.