UX Designer II

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer II Company: PlayStation Global Location: San Mateo, California, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: User Experience (UX) Design Date Posted: November 04, 2025 Experience Level: 2-5 Years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and define innovative, user-centered interactive experiences for PlayStation's global content distribution platform, focusing on user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.
• Drive the creation of new UX patterns, user flows, system components, and end-to-end product experiences, demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design principles.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Engineers, Game Developers, Product Managers, and Business Partners to ideate, develop, and refine product features.
• Produce detailed design specifications, assets, and documentation required for seamless implementation by engineering teams, ensuring the delivery of best-in-class user experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the provided job description is for a UX Designer, this enhancement focuses on framing it within the broader context of operations that support product development and GTM strategies. This includes how UX design contributes to user adoption, engagement, and ultimately, revenue generation through platform usability and feature adoption. The role's emphasis on defining new patterns and collaborating with engineering and product teams suggests a crucial connective function within the product development lifecycle, which has downstream operational impacts.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Initiate and lead the definition of novel UX patterns, user flows, system components, and complete product experiences, taking ownership from conceptualization to final implementation.
• Rapidly prototype and generate multiple distinct UX/UI concepts for new features and products, leveraging a deep understanding of user needs and system logic.
• Actively engage with stakeholders across various departments, meticulously analyze feedback, and integrate constructive input into design iterations to enhance product usability and appeal.
• Iterate swiftly on design solutions, balancing user experience goals with engineering feasibility, technical constraints, and business objectives.
• Clearly articulate design decisions, product vision, and innovative ideas through compelling presentations to stakeholders and leadership teams, fostering alignment and buy-in.
• Develop comprehensive design specifications, detailed assets, and interactive prototypes to guide engineering implementation, ensuring pixel-perfect execution of user-centered designs.
• Serve as a passionate advocate for the user, effectively communicating complex design rationale and product benefits to diverse audiences, including those less familiar with the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: These responsibilities are framed to highlight the impact on product adoption and operational efficiency. The ability to define new UX patterns and iterate rapidly directly influences user engagement and can streamline support processes. Delivering detailed specs ensures smoother handoffs to engineering and QA, reducing development cycle times.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Interaction Design, Product Design, Human Factors, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Equivalent practical experience will be considered for candidates demonstrating exceptional relevant skills and a strong portfolio.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience dedicated to building user-centered interactive designs for digital products.
• Proven track record of successfully shipping multiple products from initial concept through to final launch.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating thoughtful, simple, deliberate, and intuitive design solutions with exceptional interaction, motion, and visual design execution.
• Prototyping & Wireframing: Proficiency in creating high-fidelity prototypes, wireframes, and user flows to effectively communicate design concepts and user journeys.
• Design Software Proficiency: Expert-level command of industry-standard design tools such as Figma and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).
• User-Centered Design Principles: Deep understanding and practical application of user-centered design methodologies, usability principles, and user research techniques.
• Communication & Presentation: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to articulate design rationale, present concepts clearly, and influence stakeholders.
• Iterative Design: Demonstrated ability to rapidly iterate on design solutions based on feedback, user testing, and technical constraints within an agile development environment.
• Design Systems: Experience in improving, expanding, and contributing to existing design systems and component libraries to ensure consistency and scalability.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with product managers, engineers, researchers, and other stakeholders in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Skills:

• PlayStation Brand Expertise: A deep understanding of the PlayStation brand, its ecosystem, and existing services to ensure cohesive and relevant design solutions.
• Gaming Industry Familiarity: Personal experience as a gamer or a strong understanding of the gaming industry, its trends, and player expectations.
• Global Design Experience: Experience crafting user experiences for a global audience across multiple languages and cultural contexts.
• Decentralized/Global Team Collaboration: Proven ability to collaborate effectively with geographically dispersed or decentralized teams.
• UX Research Collaboration: Experience working closely with UX researchers to translate insights into actionable design improvements.
• Agile Environment Acumen: Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and effectively within an agile development framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio, specific tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, and experience with design systems are critical for operations roles that involve product development and platform management. The ability to translate user needs into tangible design assets and specifications directly impacts the efficiency of downstream development and launch processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 detailed case studies that illustrate your design process from problem identification through to solution implementation and impact. Each case study should clearly articulate the user problem, your role, the design process, key decisions, and measurable outcomes.
• Process Documentation: Include examples of how you document user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final design specifications. This demonstrates your ability to create clear, actionable documentation for development teams.
• System Component Design: Present examples of your work on design systems, reusable components, or style guides, highlighting your understanding of consistency, scalability, and maintainability.
• Impact & Metrics: Where possible, quantify the impact of your designs. This could include metrics related to user engagement, task completion rates, conversion improvements, or user satisfaction.

Process Documentation:

• User Flow Diagrams: Provide examples of user flow diagrams that clearly map out user journeys and interactions within a given product or feature.
• Wireframes & Prototypes: Showcase a range of wireframes (low to high fidelity) and interactive prototypes that demonstrate your ability to explore and communicate design concepts.
• Design Specifications: Include samples of detailed design specifications that outline interaction details, visual styling, states, and behaviors for implementation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a UX Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as a tangible representation of their ability to execute on design strategy, which directly influences the user experience of products and services. A well-documented process and system understanding are crucial for efficient collaboration with engineering and product teams, minimizing misinterpretations and rework. This directly impacts the speed and quality of product releases.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated base pay range for this position is $124,500 - $186,700 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.
• Retirement Savings: Matching 401(k) plan to aid in long-term financial planning.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) for personal time, rest, and rejuvenation.
• Wellness Initiatives: Access to a dedicated Wellness Program designed to promote employee health and productivity.
• Exclusive Discounts: Coveted employee discounts on a wide range of PlayStation and Sony products.
• Potential Bonus: Eligibility for a bonus package, reflecting performance and company success.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, typically around 40 hours per week.
• The role is designated as Hybrid, requiring a portion of the work week to be performed in the San Mateo office. Specific in-office days may vary based on team needs and hybrid working policies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is within industry standards for a UX Designer II in the San Francisco Bay Area, reflecting the high cost of living and competitive market. The hybrid work arrangement implies a need for flexibility and self-management, skills often valued in operations roles. Benefits are comprehensive, supporting employee well-being and financial security, which are key considerations for retaining talent in competitive fields.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Entertainment Technology / Video Game Development & Publishing Company Size: Large Enterprise (Sony Interactive Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, employs thousands globally). This size implies robust processes, potential for specialization, and significant resources for design and development. Founded: Sony Interactive Entertainment traces its roots back to the launch of the original PlayStation in 1994, with continuous evolution and innovation since then. This long history suggests a culture that values established brands, long-term product vision, and sustained player engagement.

Team Structure:

• Gameplay Design Team: You will be part of a specialized Gameplay design team, likely comprising other UX/UI designers, game designers, and potentially user researchers focused on the core gameplay experience.
• SONY Design Organization: You will also be integrated into a broader SONY design organization, offering opportunities to collaborate with designers across different product lines and business units. This provides a larger network for knowledge sharing and professional development.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role emphasizes close collaboration with Product Managers, Engineers, Game Developers, and Business Partners, indicating a highly integrated product development process where design is a key partner from inception.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A core methodology, emphasizing deep understanding of user needs, rigorous testing, and data-driven insights to inform design decisions.
• Agile Development: The role operates within an agile environment, requiring rapid iteration, flexibility, and continuous collaboration with development teams.
• Design Thinking: The broader SONY design organization celebrates design thinking, implying a focus on empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing as a framework for innovation.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture values innovation, user-centricity, and collaboration. For an operations-focused role, understanding this culture is key to navigating internal processes, influencing stakeholders, and ensuring designs align with both user needs and business objectives. The hybrid model and global team structure suggest a need for strong remote collaboration and communication skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: UX Designer II signifies an intermediate level of experience. This role expects individuals to be self-starters, capable of taking ownership of projects, defining new processes, and working with a degree of autonomy. They are expected to contribute significantly to design strategy and execution, mentor junior designers, and influence design decisions.

Reporting Structure: You will join the Gameplay Design team, likely reporting to a Design Lead or Manager within that group. You will also be part of the larger SONY Design organization, implying potential indirect reporting lines or mentorship from senior figures within that broader structure. The role requires close collaboration with Product Managers and Engineering Leads, who are key stakeholders in the product development lifecycle.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role, the UX Designer II significantly impacts operational success by:

• Enhancing User Adoption & Retention: Intuitive and engaging designs reduce user friction, leading to higher adoption rates and longer-term engagement, which are critical for platform growth and revenue.
• Reducing Support Costs: Well-designed products with clear user flows minimize confusion and the need for customer support, directly impacting operational efficiency and cost reduction.
• Streamlining Development Cycles: Clear specifications, robust design systems, and effective collaboration with engineering teams reduce development time, rework, and launch delays.
• Driving Platform Monetization: Effective UX design for features like content discovery, purchasing, and subscription management can directly influence conversion rates and revenue generation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, such as interaction design, visual design, motion graphics, or user research within the gaming context.
• Leadership: Potential to advance into Senior UX Designer roles, Design Lead positions, or even management roles within the PlayStation design organization.
• Cross-functional Mobility: Develop transferable skills in product strategy, project management, and stakeholder communication, opening doors to roles in Product Management or GTM operations.
• Skill Development: Access to continuous learning resources, workshops, and potential for specialized training in emerging UX technologies and methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis frames the UX Designer II role through an operational lens, emphasizing how their contributions directly influence efficiency, cost, revenue, and product lifecycle management. The growth opportunities highlight pathways that could lead into more direct operations or management roles within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, requiring a balance between remote work and in-office presence. This suggests a modern office environment designed to support both individual focus and collaborative activities. Office Location(s): San Mateo, California. This location places the role within the vibrant tech and gaming hub of the San Francisco Bay Area, offering access to a rich ecosystem of talent and industry events.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and open-plan spaces designed to foster collaboration among design, product, and engineering teams.
• Tools & Technology: Expect access to high-performance workstations, relevant design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Suite), and potentially VR/AR development tools given PlayStation's product focus.
• Team Interaction: The hybrid model encourages intentional interaction during in-office days, facilitating spontaneous discussions, design critiques, and team-building activities.

Work Schedule:

• Primarily a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility expected for agile development sprints and project deadlines.
• The hybrid arrangement necessitates disciplined time management to balance remote productivity with in-office collaboration and face-to-face stakeholder engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment requires strong self-management and communication skills, akin to many remote or distributed operations roles. Understanding how the physical workspace facilitates collaboration is key to maximizing productivity and team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and portfolio for initial fit.
• Portfolio Presentation: Expect to present your portfolio to a panel of designers and potentially product managers. This is a critical stage to showcase your design process, problem-solving skills, and ability to articulate your work.
• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be given a design exercise or a case study to complete, either pre-interview or as part of the interview process, to assess your practical design skills and approach to problem-solving.
• Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interviews: Interviews will assess your collaboration style, communication skills, ability to work within an agile framework, and how you handle ambiguity and feedback.
• Final Round: Potentially interviews with senior leadership to discuss your alignment with the team's vision and PlayStation's overall design philosophy.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills and the requirements of this role (e.g., web/mobile design, interaction design, design systems).
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your specific contributions, your design process (research, ideation, iteration, testing), the rationale behind your decisions, and the final outcome or impact.
• Highlight Process & Rationale: Emphasize why you made certain design choices, rather than just showing the final screens. Demonstrate your critical thinking and understanding of user needs.
• Showcase Interaction & Motion: If applicable, include examples of microinteractions, animations, or prototypes that demonstrate your expertise in creating engaging and dynamic user experiences.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, include metrics or data that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased user satisfaction, reduced task times).
• Tailor to PlayStation: If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to show your understanding of the PlayStation brand and its user base.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Problem: Carefully read and understand the prompt for any design challenge. Ask clarifying questions if needed.
• Define Scope: Within the given constraints (time, tools), define the scope of your solution. Focus on key user flows or critical issues.
• Document Your Process: Even for a short exercise, outline your approach, assumptions, and key decisions.
• Present Clearly: Be prepared to walk through your solution, explaining your rationale and how it addresses the problem statement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily relies on the candidate's ability to demonstrate their design thinking and execution through their portfolio. For operations professionals, this translates to showcasing a structured approach to problem-solving, clear documentation of processes, and quantifiable results—all critical for operational roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflow. Proficiency in creating components, variants, auto layout, and interactive prototypes is expected.
• Adobe Creative Suite: Including Photoshop for image editing, Illustrator for vector graphics, and potentially After Effects for motion design and animations.
• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, experience with tools like Adobe XD, Sketch (with prototyping features), or specialized animation tools may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, Mixpanel, or internal PlayStation analytics platforms to understand user behavior and measure design impact.
• Data Visualization Tools: While not a primary requirement, understanding how data is presented in dashboards (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) can help in designing user interfaces that effectively communicate key metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: CRM and marketing automation tools are generally outside the direct scope of a UX Designer. However, understanding how user data is managed and how marketing campaigns are executed can provide context for user-facing features.

Other Relevant Tools:

• User Research Tools: Experience with tools for usability testing, surveys, and user interviews (e.g., UserTesting.com, SurveyMonkey, Lookback).
• Project Management Software: Familiarity with Agile tools like Jira, Confluence, or Trello for tracking tasks, specifications, and project progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Understanding how UX designs integrate with development workflows (e.g., Jira) and how their impact is measured through analytics tools is crucial for demonstrating operational awareness and contributing to data-driven product decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• User Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the user, ensuring every design decision prioritizes user needs and enhances their experience.
• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies, challenge existing paradigms, and push the boundaries of interactive design within the gaming and entertainment space.
• Collaboration & Inclusivity: A belief in the power of teamwork, valuing diverse perspectives, and fostering an environment where all team members can contribute their best work.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing user research, analytics, and testing to validate design concepts and measure their effectiveness, ensuring a strategic and impactful approach.
• Excellence & Craftsmanship: A dedication to high-quality execution, attention to detail, and a passion for creating polished, intuitive, and delightful user experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership with Product & Engineering: Working hand-in-hand with product managers to define requirements and engineers to ensure feasibility and quality implementation.
• Iterative Feedback Loops: Embracing a culture of continuous feedback, where designs are shared early and often, and constructive criticism is used to refine solutions.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in design reviews, sharing insights, and mentoring colleagues to elevate the overall design capability of the team and organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are crucial for understanding how to integrate effectively within the team. A focus on user obsession, data-driven decisions, and collaboration aligns well with the operational mindset of driving efficiency and impact.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Business Goals: Navigating the inherent tension between creating ideal user experiences and meeting business objectives, technical constraints, and platform requirements.
• Designing for Ambiguity: Thriving in situations where requirements are not fully defined, requiring proactive problem-solving and definition of new UX patterns and processes.
• Global Consistency vs. Local Relevance: Designing experiences that are globally consistent yet culturally relevant and accessible to a diverse international audience.
• Rapid Iteration & Technical Constraints: Quickly adapting designs based on engineering feedback or feasibility limitations without compromising core user experience principles.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Opportunities to attend leading UX/UI conferences (e.g., UXPA, Adobe MAX) and participate in specialized workshops to stay abreast of industry trends.
• Internal Training & Mentorship: Access to internal training programs, design critiques, and mentorship from senior designers within the SONY design organization.
• Exposure to Cutting-Edge Technology: Working with advanced gaming technologies, VR/AR, and innovative platform features provides unique learning experiences.
• Career Pathing: Clear pathways for advancement to Senior UX Designer, Lead Designer, or management roles, with opportunities for skill specialization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding these challenges and growth opportunities is key for long-term career planning. The ability to navigate ambiguity and technical constraints is a hallmark of strong operational professionals, and the learning opportunities at PlayStation offer significant skill development potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define a new UX pattern or flow from scratch. What was your process, and what were the key considerations?" (Focus on your structured approach, problem definition, user research, and iteration.)
• "How do you approach balancing user needs with technical limitations or business requirements?" (Highlight your negotiation skills, ability to find creative compromises, and understanding of trade-offs.)
• "Tell me about a project where you had to collaborate closely with engineers and product managers. What was your role, and how did you ensure successful implementation?" (Emphasize communication, proactive problem-solving, and clear documentation.)
• "How do you incorporate user feedback into your design process, especially when the feedback is conflicting or challenging?" (Showcase your analytical skills, ability to synthesize information, and diplomatic communication.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you admire about the PlayStation brand and its user experience?" (Demonstrate your research and genuine interest in the company's products and mission.)
• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX design trends and technologies, particularly in the gaming industry?" (Highlight your proactive learning and passion for the field.)
• "Describe your experience working in an agile environment. How do you adapt your design process to iterative development cycles?" (Focus on flexibility, speed, and collaborative communication.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your role and the project's objective. Then, dive into the problem, your process, key design decisions with rationale, and finally, the outcome or impact.
• Visuals: Use clear, high-quality visuals. Show wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and final UI designs.
• Storytelling: Frame your projects as narratives. What was the challenge? How did you overcome it? What was the result?
• Quantify: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success of your designs.
• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your process, design choices, challenges, and how you would handle specific scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions and presentation strategies will allow candidates to effectively showcase their operational thinking – their ability to structure problems, execute solutions, collaborate cross-functionally, and measure impact, even within a design context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer II position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the application through the provided link on greenhouse.io.
• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights relevant user-centered design experience, proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, portfolio achievements, and any experience with interactive design for web and mobile products. Use keywords from the job description.
• Craft Your Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio that showcases 3-5 of your strongest projects. Each project should clearly detail the problem, your process, design decisions, and measurable outcomes. Focus on interaction, usability, and visual design.
• Prepare for the Portfolio Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on telling a compelling story about your design process and rationale. Be ready to discuss your contributions, challenges, and how your designs have impacted users.
• Research PlayStation: Familiarize yourself with PlayStation's current products, services, and user experience. Understand their target audience and brand identity to better align your responses and portfolio with the company's vision.

⚠️ 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.