Senior UI Designer

CD PROJEKT RED
Full-time$106k-174k/year (USD)Boston, United States

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Designer

Company: CD PROJEKT RED

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Gaming - UI/UX Design

Date Posted: May 06, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote Eligible

🚀 Role Summary

  • Lead the end-to-end design process for complex UI features within the Cyberpunk 2 project, focusing on player-centered interfaces that enhance immersion and gameplay.

  • Drive the definition and maintenance of UI standards, ensuring a consistent visual language across all game elements.

  • Foster collaboration between UI/UX design, engineering, and other cross-functional teams to align creative vision with technical feasibility.

  • Champion innovation in interaction design and explore new approaches to UI/UX within the AAA gaming space.

  • Oversee the technical implementation of UI designs, partnering with engineering to troubleshoot integration challenges and ensure readiness.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a Senior UI Designer on the "Cyberpunk 2" project, indicating a focus on AAA game development with complex systems and a strong emphasis on player experience and immersion. The "Senior" title implies leadership and mentoring responsibilities, as well as a need for deep expertise in design tools and game development pipelines. The hybrid/remote flexibility, with specific US state restrictions for remote work, is a key detail for candidates.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

  • Drive the complete UI design lifecycle, from initial user flow mapping and wireframing to high-fidelity prototyping and final visual asset creation for complex in-game features.

  • Translate gameplay mechanics and narrative requirements into intuitive and engaging user interfaces, ensuring seamless integration with the overall player experience.

  • Maintain and evolve a comprehensive UI style guide and design documentation, serving as the single source of truth for visual language, interaction patterns, and component specifications.

  • Actively mentor and guide junior designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering their professional development within the UI design discipline.

  • Collaborate closely with game designers, narrative designers, and technical artists to ensure UI elements effectively support gameplay objectives and thematic coherence.

  • Partner with engineering teams to ensure accurate and efficient implementation of UI designs, providing ongoing support and addressing technical constraints or challenges.

  • Proactively research and present innovative UI/UX trends, technologies, and interaction paradigms relevant to the gaming industry and the specific aesthetics of the cyberpunk genre.

  • Ensure all UI designs are technically feasible and adhere to performance best practices within the game engine environment.

  • Contribute to the overall visual identity and aesthetic of the game by ensuring UI elements complement and enhance the game's art direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of hands-on design work, strategic leadership, and cross-functional collaboration, typical for a senior role in game development. Emphasis on "player-centered interfaces," "consistent visual language," and "technical feasibility" are crucial keywords for experienced UI designers.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in UI design, with a significant portion focused on interactive applications or video games.

Required Skills:

  • Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.

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

  • Expertise in creating detailed user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and polished visual assets.

  • Strong grasp of interaction design principles and the ability to translate them into engaging user experiences.

  • Demonstrated experience in creating and maintaining comprehensive UI style guides and design documentation.

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

  • Familiarity with the cyberpunk genre and the ability to translate its distinct aesthetics into UI design.

  • Experience or aptitude for mentoring and guiding junior designers.

  • Willingness to learn new tools, workflows, and technologies as required by project demands.

  • Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality, polished user interfaces.

Preferred Skills:

  • Passion for innovative UI/UX in games and a strong awareness of modern UI trends.

  • Experience working on AAA titles with particularly complex or innovative UI systems.

  • Residence within the Eastern Time Zone (North America) is preferred for potential hybrid or on-site collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific tools (Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, Unreal Engine, Blueprints) and experience with AAA game development pipelines and the cyberpunk genre are critical for candidates to highlight. Mentoring experience is a key differentiator for a senior role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of player-centered UI designs for games or complex interactive applications.

  • Detailed case studies demonstrating the end-to-end design process for at least 2-3 significant UI features, including user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and final visual designs.

  • Examples of UI style guides or design documentation that illustrate your ability to define and maintain visual consistency and interaction standards.

  • Demonstrations of UI implementation readiness, potentially including annotated mockups or explanations of technical considerations.

Process Documentation:

  • Showcase your ability to document complex UI systems, including user flows, interaction specifications, and visual asset libraries.

  • Provide examples of how you have collaborated with engineering teams to ensure smooth UI integration and troubleshoot technical challenges.

  • Illustrate your approach to maintaining design integrity throughout the development cycle, from concept to final product.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UI Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display visual design skills but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the design process, UX principles, technical implementation considerations, and the ability to lead and document complex systems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $105,600 - $174,200 USD Annually

Benefits:

  • Health & Well-Being:

    • Company-paid medical healthcare (including dental, vision, and mental health coverage).
    • Free mental health support, encompassing access to 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.
  • Professional Development & Lifestyle:

    • Gym Membership Reimbursement.

    • Flexible working hours to promote work-life balance.

    • Extensive training, lectures, and courses, including internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes.

    • A welcome pack filled with company-branded goodies upon joining. Working Hours: Flexible working hours are offered, with an expectation of approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is based on provided data for the Boston, MA area for a Senior UI Designer, considering the experience level and the high cost of living in the region. The benefits package is comprehensive, with specific mentions of mental health support, menstrual leave, and parental support, which are valuable differentiators.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Gaming / Interactive Entertainment. CD PROJEKT RED is a globally recognized developer known for its critically acclaimed, story-driven RPGs, most notably "The Witcher" series and "Cyberpunk 2077." The company emphasizes creating immersive worlds and deep narrative experiences that resonate with players.

Company Size: CD PROJEKT RED is a large-scale organization, employing hundreds or thousands of professionals across multiple studios and departments. This size suggests well-established processes, opportunities for specialization, and a dynamic, collaborative environment typical of major game development studios.

Founded: Founded in 1994, CD PROJEKT RED has a long history in the gaming industry, evolving from a distributor to a renowned game developer. This longevity indicates stability, a deep understanding of the market, and a commitment to long-term projects like the "Cyberpunk" franchise.

Team Structure: The UI design team is likely integrated within the broader game development structure for "Cyberpunk 2." This would involve close collaboration with UX designers, game designers, narrative designers, artists, and engineers. The "Senior" role suggests a leadership position within this team, potentially overseeing junior designers and acting as a point person for specific UI features or systems. The team operates in a highly cross-functional manner, with constant communication and iteration.

Methodology: CD PROJEKT RED is known for its iterative and player-focused development approach. For UI design, this means a strong emphasis on user research, prototyping, and continuous feedback loops to refine interfaces. The company likely employs agile methodologies adapted for game development, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to evolving project needs and player feedback. Data analysis of player behavior and performance metrics will inform design decisions.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: CD PROJEKT RED's reputation for quality and narrative depth in gaming provides significant context. The "Senior UI Designer" role within the "Cyberpunk 2" project suggests working on a large-scale, ambitious title where UI is critical for immersion and player engagement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role within the UI/UX design discipline of game development. It signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility for significant features or systems. The role involves not only execution but also strategic input, process definition, and leadership through influence and mentorship.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UI Designer will likely report to a Lead UI/UX Designer, or potentially a Game Director or Art Director, depending on the specific team structure. They will work closely with cross-functional leads from design, engineering, and art departments.

Operations Impact: The UI/UX design team's impact is direct and substantial. They are responsible for the primary interface through which players interact with the game world. Effective UI design enhances player immersion, streamlines gameplay, reduces frustration, and contributes significantly to the overall quality and perceived polish of the game. For "Cyberpunk 2," a visually distinct and functionally robust UI is critical to realizing the game's ambitious vision and maintaining player engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Leadership Progression: Opportunity to advance to Lead UI/UX Designer, Art Director, or similar leadership positions within game development studios.

  • Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as interaction design, visual design, animation, or system architecture within UI.

  • Broader Game Design: Transition into broader game design roles, leveraging UI/UX expertise to influence core game mechanics and player progression systems.

  • Industry Influence: Contribute to the broader gaming industry by sharing expertise through talks, articles, or by driving innovative UI solutions.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Opportunities to learn about other facets of game development, such as programming, art pipelines, and narrative design, through cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" designation implies a career path beyond individual contribution, with clear opportunities for leadership and specialization within the demanding AAA gaming industry. The impact of UI design on player experience in narrative-driven RPGs is immense, making this a high-visibility role.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: CD PROJEKT RED offers a hybrid work environment, allowing for both on-site work in their Boston office and full remote work for eligible candidates within specified US states. This provides flexibility while maintaining options for in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary office location mentioned is Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The company also has studios in other international locations, but this specific role is tied to the Boston hub or remote within the US.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative Environment: The office is described as dog-friendly and having a casual, no-dress-code atmosphere, fostering a relaxed and approachable work culture. The international working environment ensures exposure to diverse perspectives.

  • Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator) and game development tools (Unreal Engine) is essential. The company provides necessary hardware and software licenses to facilitate design work.

  • Team Interaction: Opportunities for spontaneous collaboration and knowledge sharing exist both in the office and through digital communication channels for remote team members. The "RED Parents Network" and employee resource groups foster a supportive community.

Work Schedule: Flexible working hours are a key benefit, allowing employees to manage their schedules around core project needs and personal commitments. This flexibility is crucial for creative roles that may require focused, uninterrupted work periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote flexibility, casual office culture, and specific benefits like dog-friendliness and flexible hours contribute to a unique work environment that balances professional demands with employee well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

  • Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills, experience, and alignment with role requirements.

  • Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, discuss specific projects, design methodologies, and problem-solving approaches. Expect in-depth questions about their contributions and decision-making processes.

  • Technical/Design Challenge: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or a technical challenge related to UI implementation in Unreal Engine or a similar task to evaluate practical skills and problem-solving abilities.

  • Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders, including lead designers, engineers, and potentially game directors, to assess collaboration skills, communication clarity, and cultural fit within the "Cyberpunk 2" team.

  • Final Interview: A concluding interview, possibly with senior leadership, to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your experience with complex UI systems, player-centered design, and your ability to work within specific game genres (especially cyberpunk). Highlight your role and contributions clearly.

  • Showcase Process: For each project, walk through your design process: problem definition, user research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, testing, and implementation considerations. Explain why you made certain design decisions.

  • Highlight Technical Skills: Include examples that demonstrate your proficiency with Unreal Engine UI implementation, Blueprints, or materials if possible.

  • Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the impact of your UI designs on player experience or game functionality.

  • Prepare for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss technical constraints, engine limitations, and how you've collaborated with engineers to overcome them.

Challenge Preparation:

  • Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly understand the brief, target audience, and any specific constraints.

  • Focus on Process: Even if time is limited, clearly articulate your thought process for tackling the challenge.

  • Unreal Engine Familiarity: Brush up on Unreal Engine UI features, Blueprints, and common implementation workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical skills, portfolio demonstration, and cross-functional collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design philosophy, technical capabilities, and how they've contributed to successful game titles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

  • Figma: For wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative UI design.

  • Adobe Photoshop: For detailed visual asset creation, image manipulation, and texture work.

  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, icons, and UI elements requiring scalability.

  • Unreal Engine: Essential for UI implementation, including experience with its UI system (UMG - Unreal Motion Graphics), Blueprints for scripting UI logic, and materials for visual effects.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

  • Not directly applicable to the UI Designer role, but an understanding of how game systems interact and how data flows within the game engine is relevant for effective UI design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with Figma and Adobe Creative Suite is standard, but explicit mention of Unreal Engine UI capabilities (UMG, Blueprints, Materials) is a critical technical requirement for this role, indicating hands-on implementation expectations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

  • Player-Centricity: A core value is designing with the player experience as the utmost priority, ensuring interfaces are intuitive, engaging, and enhance immersion.

  • Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to delivering exceptionally high-quality work, reflected in meticulous attention to detail and polished final products, typical of AAA game development.

  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working effectively within cross-functional teams, fostering open communication, and valuing diverse perspectives to achieve common goals.

  • Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging exploration of new ideas, pushing creative boundaries, and embracing innovative approaches to UI/UX design within the gaming context.

  • Passion for Games: A shared enthusiasm for video games and storytelling, driving a deeper understanding of player motivations and expectations.

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-Functional Integration: UI designers work intimately with game designers, engineers, artists, and narrative teams, requiring strong communication and the ability to translate between different disciplines.

  • Iterative Feedback: A culture of constructive feedback and iterative design is crucial, with regular reviews and discussions to refine designs based on input from various team members.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, new techniques, and insights through internal workshops, presentations, and informal discussions to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a passion for gaming, high-quality output, and collaborative integration, which are fundamental for success in a AAA game development studio.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Balancing Functionality and Aesthetics: The primary challenge is to create visually stunning UI that is also highly functional, intuitive, and performs well within the game engine, especially in a genre like cyberpunk that demands a specific visual flair.

  • Technical Constraints: Working within the limitations of game engine technology, performance budgets, and integration complexities requires adaptability and creative problem-solving.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively communicating design intent and technical requirements to diverse teams (engineering, art, design) can be challenging but is critical for success.

  • Evolving Trends: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving UI/UX trends in gaming and technology while maintaining a cohesive and unique visual identity for "Cyberpunk 2."

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Unreal Engine Mastery: Deepen expertise in Unreal Engine's UI systems, advanced Blueprints, and material editor for enhanced visual fidelity and interactivity.

  • Advanced Interaction Design: Explore and implement cutting-edge interaction patterns and micro-interactions that elevate the player experience.

  • AAA Project Experience: Gain invaluable experience on a high-profile AAA title, contributing to a globally recognized franchise.

  • Mentorship and Leadership: Develop leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading specific UI feature development.

  • Industry Conferences & Workshops: Access to training, lectures, and courses, potentially including opportunities to attend industry events relevant to game design and UI/UX.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to AAA game development, requiring a blend of creative problem-solving, technical acumen, and strong interpersonal skills. Growth opportunities are significant, focusing on deepening technical expertise and leadership within the gaming industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

  • "Describe your process for designing a complex UI feature from concept to implementation. Walk me through a specific example from your portfolio." (Focus on user flows, wireframing, prototyping, visual design, and technical considerations).

  • "How do you balance player experience and immersion with technical constraints and performance requirements in a game engine like Unreal?" (Prepare examples of trade-offs and solutions).

  • "How would you approach defining and maintaining a consistent UI style guide for a large AAA project with multiple contributors?" (Highlight your documentation and collaboration strategies).

Company & Culture Questions:

  • "What appeals to you about CD PROJEKT RED and the 'Cyberpunk' franchise specifically?" (Show genuine interest and research).

  • "How do you stay updated on the latest UI/UX trends in the gaming industry, especially within the cyberpunk genre?" (Discuss your research methods and sources).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the problem, your role, the process, your specific contributions, the challenges faced, and the final outcome.

  • Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate and visually appealing. Use high-resolution images and clear annotations.

  • Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your UI designs improved the player experience, supported gameplay, or solved specific design challenges.

  • Technical Details: Be prepared to discuss the technical aspects of your work, especially relating to Unreal Engine implementation.

  • Conciseness: Be mindful of time; present your strongest work efficiently and be ready to dive deeper into specific areas if asked.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative vision, technical proficiency (especially with Unreal Engine), strong process-oriented thinking, and excellent collaboration skills, all tailored to the demands of AAA game development.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Designer position:

  • Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

  • Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and specifically highlights projects relevant to game UI design, complex systems, and the cyberpunk aesthetic. Tailor your presentation to showcase your understanding of Unreal Engine UI implementation.

  • Resume Optimization: Update your resume to prominently feature your 5+ years of experience in game UI design, specific tool proficiencies (Figma, Photoshop, Unreal Engine), and any experience mentoring designers or working on AAA titles. Quantify achievements where possible.

  • Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, technical knowledge, and collaboration style. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio to answer potential interview questions.

  • Company Research: Familiarize yourself with CD PROJEKT RED's history, their games (especially Cyberpunk 2077), and their stated company culture and values. Understand the unique demands of developing for the cyberpunk genre.

⚠️ 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.

Application Requirements

Requires 5+ years of game UI design experience and advanced proficiency in tools like Figma, Photoshop, and Unreal Engine. Candidates must have a strong portfolio and experience mentoring other designers in a multicultural environment.