Senior UI Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer

Company: CD PROJEKT RED

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Game Design / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-04-28

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (On-site or Fully Remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design and implementation of intuitive, player-focused interfaces for the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2 project, enhancing immersion and gameplay.

• Drive the end-to-end UI design process, from conceptualization and wireframing to final visual polish, ensuring a consistent and compelling player experience.

• Foster cross-functional collaboration, working closely with UX designers, artists, and engineers to align UI vision with gameplay mechanics and technical feasibility.

• Champion innovation in interaction design and stay abreast of emerging UI trends to push creative boundaries within the cyberpunk genre.

• Oversee the technical implementation of UI designs, partnering with engineering teams to troubleshoot and ensure seamless integration within the game engine.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for the Cyberpunk 2 project, indicating a high-stakes, AAA game development environment. The Senior UI Designer will be pivotal in establishing the visual language and interactive experience for a major title, demanding a strong understanding of both aesthetic design and technical integration within game engines like Unreal Engine.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the conceptualization, wireframing, prototyping, and final visual design of complex UI features, ensuring alignment with player-centered design principles.

• Define and maintain a consistent visual language and design system across all UI elements to reinforce the game's aesthetic and enhance immersion.

• Collaborate closely with UX researchers and designers to translate player feedback and usability findings into actionable UI design improvements.

• Partner with engineering teams to ensure the technical feasibility and efficient implementation of UI designs, providing clear documentation and ongoing support.

• Drive innovation by exploring new interaction paradigms and visual techniques that elevate the player experience and set new industry standards.

• Create and meticulously maintain comprehensive design documentation, including style guides, flow diagrams, and asset specifications, to ensure clarity and consistency across the development team.

• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a collaborative environment and sharing expertise in UI design best practices and tools.

• Proactively research and integrate current UI trends and best practices within the gaming industry, particularly those relevant to the cyberpunk genre.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "end-to-end design process" and "technical implementation readiness" suggests that this role requires not only strong creative design skills but also a practical understanding of how UI elements are built and integrated into a game engine. The mention of "balancing functionality and aesthetics" highlights the need for a pragmatic approach to design that prioritizes both player experience and gameplay integration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is often preferred for senior roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience: 5+ years of dedicated UI design experience within the game development industry, with a proven track record of contributing to successful game titles.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience in UI design for games, evidenced by a strong portfolio showcasing player-centered design solutions.

• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design tools, including Figma, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator, for wireframing, prototyping, and high-fidelity visual design.

• Deep understanding of game development pipelines, including the integration of UI elements with core gameplay mechanics and systems.

• Proven ability to mentor and guide other designers, contributing to team growth and skill development.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate design concepts effectively in a diverse, international, and cross-functional team environment.

• Demonstrable knowledge of the cyberpunk genre and the ability to translate its unique aesthetics and themes into compelling UI designs.

• Adaptability and a strong willingness to learn and integrate new tools, workflows, and technologies as required by project needs.

• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to delivering exceptionally high-quality design work.

Preferred Skills:

• A strong passion for innovative UI design and a keen insight into modern UI trends across the gaming landscape.

• Experience working on AAA titles with complex, large-scale UI systems.

• Residence within the Eastern Time Zone (North America) is preferred, facilitating easier collaboration with the Boston-based team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Unreal Engine experience, including Blueprints and materials, is a critical technical skill for this role, indicating that candidates will be expected to contribute to the implementation phase beyond just visual design. The "nice to have" for AAA experience and modern UI trends suggests a desire for candidates who can bring proven, cutting-edge expertise to the team.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of UI design projects, with a clear emphasis on games or interactive applications.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end design process for complex UI features, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final visual assets.

• Examples that highlight your ability to balance functionality and aesthetics, ensuring UI design enhances gameplay mechanics and player experience.

• Evidence of your experience with Unreal Engine's UI implementation, potentially including examples of interactive elements or custom UI components.

Process Documentation:

• Work samples that illustrate your approach to creating and maintaining design documentation, including style guides and UI specifications for clear team communication.

• Examples of how you've collaborated with engineering teams to ensure technical implementation readiness and troubleshoot integration challenges.

• Case studies that highlight your ability to drive innovation in interaction design and adapt to new tools and workflows.

• Documentation demonstrating your understanding of the development pipeline and how UI design integrates with broader game systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on Unreal Engine and technical implementation, the portfolio should ideally include examples or explanations of how the candidate has worked within a game engine environment. Demonstrating the ability to document design decisions and collaborate effectively with technical teams is as crucial as the visual design output itself.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $105,600 - $174,200 USD annually. This range is an estimate based on provided data and industry benchmarks for Senior UI Designers in the Boston area and for remote US-based roles. Compensation is determined by competitive market data, geographic location, individual factors, business needs, experience, and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Health & Well-Being:

  • 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: 20 days of holiday per year, increasing to 26 days after two years of service.
  • Menstrual leave: an additional day off for employees experiencing period pain.
  • RED Parents Network: support for working parents, including childcare benefits and family-friendly events.

• Financial Security:

  • 401K plan with employer matching contributions.

• Lifestyle & Professional Growth:

  • Gym Membership Reimbursement to encourage physical well-being.

  • Flexible working hours to promote work-life balance.

  • Comprehensive training, lectures, and courses: access to internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes.

  • A welcome pack filled with company-branded goodies to help new employees feel integrated. Working Hours: Flexible working hours are offered, with an estimated standard of 40 hours per week. This flexibility allows for better integration of personal needs with project demands, crucial for intensive game development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is substantial and reflects the senior level and specialized nature of the role within a high-profile AAA game studio. The benefits package is exceptionally comprehensive, highlighting CD PROJEKT RED's commitment to employee well-being, work-life balance, and professional development, which are significant draws for top talent in the competitive game development industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Game Development / Entertainment Software. CD PROJEKT RED is renowned for creating critically acclaimed, story-driven RPGs, with a particular focus on immersive worlds and deep narrative experiences. Their flagship titles, The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077, have set high benchmarks for player engagement and world-building.

Company Size: CD PROJEKT RED is a large, established game development studio with multiple teams and locations, indicating a structured yet dynamic work environment. This size supports extensive resources and specialized roles, fostering deep expertise.

Founded: CD PROJEKT RED was founded in 2002, giving it a long history and significant experience in the gaming industry. This longevity suggests a stable company with a proven track record of delivering ambitious projects.

Team Structure:

• The UI design team likely operates within the broader game development structure, collaborating closely with UX design, art direction, engineering, and narrative departments.

• As a Senior UI Designer, you would likely report to a Lead UI/UX Designer or Director of Product Design, with direct influence on the project's visual interface.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: While not explicitly stated for UI, game design teams often leverage player data, playtest feedback, and market analysis to inform design decisions. For UI, this would translate to user testing of prototypes and analysis of interaction patterns.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: The team likely employs agile or iterative development methodologies, with a focus on streamlining the UI design and implementation process to meet project deadlines and maintain quality.

• Automation & Efficiency: Embracing efficient workflows and potentially exploring UI automation tools or reusable components within Unreal Engine contributes to faster iteration and development cycles.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: CD PROJEKT RED's mission to create "revolutionary, story-driven RPGs" emphasizes narrative depth and player immersion. This context is crucial for a UI Designer, as the interface must not only be functional but also contribute to the storytelling and atmosphere of the game world. The "Beyond the Game Blog" and YouTube channel are valuable resources for understanding their culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as "Senior," indicating a level of expertise and leadership within the UI design discipline. A Senior UI Designer is expected to handle complex design challenges independently, mentor junior team members, and significantly influence the direction of UI development for a major project.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UI Designer will likely report to a Lead UI/UX Designer or a Design Director. They will work collaboratively with other senior members of the design and development teams, including art directors, technical artists, and lead engineers.

Operations Impact: The UI is a critical component of the player's interaction with the game. A Senior UI Designer's work directly impacts player engagement, immersion, usability, and overall satisfaction with the game. Their decisions shape how players navigate menus, access information, and interact with the game world, ultimately contributing to the game's critical reception and commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UI design, such as complex menu systems, HUD design, or in-game data visualization, potentially becoming a subject matter expert.

• Leadership Development: Progress into Lead UI/UX Designer roles, managing a team of designers, overseeing UI strategy for entire projects, and having greater input into design direction.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to other areas of game development, such as UX research, narrative design, or technical art, broadening skill sets and understanding of the full development lifecycle.

• Project Leadership: Take ownership of significant UI features or systems, leading their design and implementation from concept to completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title implies a responsibility that extends beyond individual contribution. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in guiding projects, mentoring others, and influencing design strategy, reflecting the leadership expectations of this role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role can be performed either on-site in Boston or fully remote. The on-site option suggests a traditional office environment typical of large game development studios, likely featuring collaborative workspaces, private offices, and common areas.

Office Location(s): Boston, Massachusetts, USA. For remote workers, specific states within the US are listed as eligible for remote employment, indicating a structured approach to distributed teams.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration: Expect a highly collaborative environment, with frequent interaction with design, art, engineering, and QA teams. The "dog-friendly office" and "no dress-code" suggest a relaxed yet professional atmosphere focused on creativity and productivity.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Suite) and game development tools (Unreal Engine) will be provided or expected. The emphasis on Unreal Engine suggests a workspace equipped for game development workflows.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for both formal and informal interaction with colleagues, fostering a strong team spirit. This includes potential participation in internal workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and company events.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key benefit, allowing employees to structure their workday around personal needs while ensuring project deliverables are met. This is common in game development studios to accommodate demanding production schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role (on-site or remote) offers significant flexibility. For candidates considering the on-site option, the "dog-friendly office" and casual dress code suggest a company culture that values employee comfort and work-life integration. The extensive list of eligible remote states indicates a mature approach to managing distributed teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the role requirements.

• Technical Interview: Likely includes a deep dive into your UI design process, tool proficiency, and experience with Unreal Engine. Expect questions about your approach to wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and technical implementation.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, walking through key projects, explaining your design decisions, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved. Focus on projects that demonstrate your capabilities relevant to AAA game UI and the cyberpunk genre.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with members of the design, art, and engineering teams to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership, potentially focusing on strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with CD PROJEKT RED's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your UI design skills for games, particularly those demonstrating complex systems, player-centered design, and visual polish.

• Highlight Process: For each project, detail your role, the problem you were solving, your design process (research, wireframing, prototyping, iteration, final design), and the outcomes. Quantify results where possible (e.g., improved usability scores, positive player feedback).

• Showcase Unreal Engine Experience: Include examples or detailed explanations of your work within Unreal Engine, specifically focusing on UI implementation, Blueprints, or material usage. If direct engine work is limited, clearly articulate your understanding of the implementation process and your collaboration with engineers.

• Demonstrate Genre Fit: Include projects that reflect an understanding of the cyberpunk aesthetic or similar thematic elements. Articulate how you would approach designing UI for the Cyberpunk 2 world.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use clear language and concise explanations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for potential design challenges or case studies that test your problem-solving skills under timed conditions. These might involve designing a specific UI element or flow based on a given scenario.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, focusing on user needs, technical constraints, and creative vision.

• Research CD PROJEKT RED's games, their UI philosophy, and the cyberpunk genre to inform your approach and demonstrate genuine interest.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is explicitly stated as a requirement. Candidates must prepare a robust portfolio that not only showcases visual design talent but also demonstrates a deep understanding of game UI development workflows, especially within Unreal Engine. The emphasis on "player-centered design" and "technical implementation readiness" means the portfolio should reflect both user advocacy and practical execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma (advanced expertise required), Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator. These are essential for creating wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final visual assets.

• Game Engine: Unreal Engine (UI implementation, Blueprints, materials). This is a critical requirement, indicating hands-on involvement in bringing UI designs to life within the game.

• Project Management & Collaboration: Tools like Jira, Confluence, or similar platforms are likely used for task management, documentation, and team communication.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI design role, as these are typically associated with sales and marketing operations. The focus here is on game development tools and design software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Unreal Engine with UI implementation, Blueprints, and materials is a key technical requirement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their proficiency and experience with these specific components of the engine. Proficiency in Figma is also highlighted as advanced expertise.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value likely emphasized across all departments, ensuring that design decisions are always made with the player experience at the forefront. This means prioritizing usability, immersion, and emotional connection.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: CD PROJEKT RED is known for its commitment to high-quality, polished products. This value translates to meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of development, including UI design.

• Innovation & Ambition: The company strives to create "revolutionary" games. This implies a culture that encourages pushing boundaries, exploring new ideas, and taking creative risks to deliver groundbreaking experiences.

• Collaboration & Respect: Working in a large, international team requires a strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect among colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

• Passion for Games: A shared love for gaming is likely a unifying factor, fostering a dedicated and enthusiastic work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly integrated approach where UI designers work hand-in-hand with UX designers, artists, narrative designers, and engineers throughout the development process.

• Iterative Feedback: A culture of continuous feedback and iteration is essential in game development. Designers are expected to be receptive to constructive criticism and actively seek input from various stakeholders.

• Knowledge Sharing: Initiatives like internal workshops and lectures suggest a commitment to learning from each other and sharing expertise across disciplines to elevate the overall quality of the game.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at CD PROJEKT RED is deeply rooted in creating immersive, narrative-driven experiences. As a Senior UI Designer, understanding and contributing to this core mission through intuitive and aesthetically aligned interfaces will be paramount. The emphasis on "revolutionary" games suggests an appetite for bold design choices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Technical Constraints: Effectively translating ambitious UI concepts into a functional and performant experience within Unreal Engine, while adhering to project deadlines and technical limitations.

• Maintaining Consistency Across a Large Project: Ensuring a cohesive and unified UI experience across a vast game world with numerous features and complex systems.

• Adapting to Evolving Player Expectations: Staying ahead of trends and ensuring the UI remains modern, intuitive, and engaging for a diverse player base.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating complex UI design ideas and technical requirements to diverse teams (art, engineering, narrative) who may have different priorities and perspectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Unreal Engine: Further hone expertise in Unreal Engine's UI tools, including UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) for UI design and implementation, and potentially exploring shader development for UI elements.

• AAA Project Experience: Gain invaluable experience on a high-profile AAA title, contributing to best practices and advanced techniques in game UI design.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and contributing to the strategic direction of the UI team.

• Industry Trends and Innovation: Stay at the forefront of UI/UX design trends in gaming through company-provided learning resources, industry events, and exposure to cutting-edge projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in a AAA game development environment, particularly with a complex project like Cyberpunk 2, offer significant opportunities for professional growth. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they approach these challenges and leverage them as learning experiences.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a complex UI feature from concept to implementation for a game. Walk us through a specific example from your portfolio." (Focus on user-centered design, wireframing, prototyping, iteration, and collaboration with engineers.)

• "How do you ensure UI design aligns with gameplay mechanics and enhances player immersion, especially within a specific genre like cyberpunk?" (Discuss balancing functionality and aesthetics, understanding genre conventions, and using UI to tell stories or convey information.)

• "Can you explain your experience with Unreal Engine's UI tools, specifically UMG, Blueprints, and materials? How have you used them to implement UI elements?" (Be ready to provide specific examples of your technical contributions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working on Cyberpunk 2 and CD PROJEKT RED specifically?" (Research their games, mission, and values. Show genuine enthusiasm for their work and the cyberpunk genre.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UI trends in the gaming industry, and how have you incorporated them into your work?" (Demonstrate proactivity and a passion for innovation.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the problem, your solution, and the outcome. Use visuals to support your narrative.

• Highlight Process & Rationale: Don't just show the final product; explain why you made certain design decisions. Discuss user research, wireframing, prototyping, and iteration.

• Emphasize Technical Aspects: Clearly articulate your experience with Unreal Engine, including specific features like UMG, Blueprints, and materials. If you haven't directly implemented, explain your collaboration with engineers and your understanding of the process.

• Showcase Genre Adaptability: Demonstrate how you can translate thematic elements (like cyberpunk) into UI design.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Keep your presentation focused and within the allotted time. Be prepared to answer questions thoughtfully and in detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize both your design craft and your technical proficiency with Unreal Engine. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only aesthetic talent but also a solid understanding of how their designs will be implemented within the game development pipeline. Be ready to discuss your experience in a AAA context and your ability to contribute to a high-stakes, narrative-driven project.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the CD PROJEKT RED careers portal.

• Curate and refine your portfolio: Ensure it prominently features your best work in game UI design, with a strong emphasis on projects demonstrating player-centered design, complex systems, visual polish, and ideally, experience with Unreal Engine. Tailor case studies to highlight your process, rationale, and outcomes.

• Optimize your resume: Clearly list your years of experience, relevant skills (Figma, Photoshop, Unreal Engine, Blueprints), and highlight contributions to past game titles, particularly AAA projects. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare for a portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your selected projects, articulating your design decisions, challenges, and solutions. Be ready to discuss your understanding of the cyberpunk genre and its aesthetic translation into UI.

• Research CD PROJEKT RED: Understand their mission, values, and the context of the Cyberpunk 2 project. Familiarize yourself with their existing games' UI and their approach to storytelling.

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