Senior UX & Gamification Design Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX & Gamification Design Lead

Company: WISEcode

Location: United States

Job Type: Contract

Category: UX/Product Design, Gamification Design

Date Posted: 2026-02-26

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design process for mobile (iOS/Android) engagement systems, from discovery to final handoff, with a focus on AI-driven platforms.

• Own the full engagement loop strategy, including interaction design, motivation systems, and progression models, specifically for a health and wellness consumer mobile product.

• Architect scalable interactive systems such as achievements, progression models, challenges, streaks, and reward frameworks, applying behavioral psychology and motivation theory.

• Design intuitive, cross-generational mobile experiences that support shared family interaction, ensuring ethical design standards and avoiding manipulative mechanics.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior-level contract position within an early-stage startup focused on health and wellness. The emphasis on AI tools, cross-generational design, and ethical engagement systems suggests a strategic need for a designer who can not only execute but also innovate and influence product direction in a fast-paced environment. The "On-site" designation implies a requirement for physical presence at a WISEcode location within the United States, though specific office details are not provided.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the complete design lifecycle for mobile engagement systems, encompassing user research, wireframing, user flows, mockups, interactive prototypes, and final asset delivery.

• Develop and refine comprehensive engagement loop strategies, incorporating principles of behavioral psychology to foster sustained user motivation and retention.

• Design and implement progressive, scalable interactive systems, including achievement badges, points, streaks, leaderboards, and reward mechanisms, tailored for a family audience.

• Ensure the creation of intuitive, cross-generational mobile experiences that facilitate seamless shared interaction on a single device.

• Apply deep understanding of behavioral psychology and motivation theory to drive user engagement and retention metrics (Day 1, Day 7, Day 30, Day 90) ethically and effectively.

• Maintain and advance a scalable mobile design system within Figma, ensuring consistency and adherence to platform-specific guidelines.

• Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists within agile sprints to iterate and enhance user-centered solutions.

• Champion the integration and utilization of AI tools to accelerate ideation, prototyping, documentation, and overall design lifecycle velocity.

• Conduct rigorous user research and usability testing with both adult and youth audiences to validate and optimize interaction models.

• Provide detailed design rationale and present solutions clearly to cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders, advocating for user-centric design principles.

• Support Quality Assurance (QA) processes by reviewing builds and ensuring pixel-perfect implementation of designed interfaces and interactive elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can bridge the gap between intricate technical requirements (AI tools, scalable systems) and human-centric design principles (behavioral psychology, cross-generational usability). The emphasis on "ethical engagement" and "avoiding manipulative mechanics" is a critical nuance for this role, indicating a focus on genuine user value over dark patterns.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 6+ years of progressive experience in UX or Product Design, with a strong emphasis on mobile-first consumer products.

• Minimum of 2 years specifically dedicated to designing interactive systems or game-based engagement models within mobile applications.

Required Skills:

• Expert-level proficiency in Figma, including advanced experience with shared libraries, component management, and scalable design system creation.

• Deep understanding and practical application of behavioral psychology, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation theories, and retention design principles.

• Proven experience designing ethical and effective engagement systems suitable for diverse audiences, including youth and family segments.

• Comprehensive knowledge of Apple's Human Interface Guidelines and Google's Material Design principles.

• Hands-on experience designing for native iOS and Android mobile applications.

• Strong portfolio showcasing progression systems, motivation loops, or educational discovery experiences within consumer products.

• Experience working effectively within agile development methodologies and using project management tools like JIRA or Notion.

• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools to enhance design workflows, improve speed, quality, or collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment with the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and tight deadlines.

• Passion for health, education, consumer wellness, or other mission-driven product sectors.

• Experience conducting user research and usability testing across different age demographics.

• Familiarity with data analysis tools and methodologies to inform design decisions and measure impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical design skills, psychological understanding, and practical experience in mobile product development, particularly within competitive consumer markets. The explicit mention of AI tools suggests a forward-looking approach to design processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least one comprehensive case study detailing the design of a mobile engagement system, including progression models, motivation loops, or reward frameworks.

• Clearly articulate the problem statement, design process, user research methodologies, and key design decisions made for each showcased project.

• Demonstrate expertise in Figma, including examples of design system components, interactive prototypes, and user flow documentation.

• Quantify the impact of your design contributions, highlighting improvements in engagement, retention, or other relevant user behavior metrics.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how user research and usability testing informed your design iterations and final solutions.

• Detail your approach to collaborating with product managers, engineers, and data scientists throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Illustrate your experience in translating complex product requirements and behavioral goals into tangible design artifacts like wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Showcase your ability to apply behavioral psychology and motivation theories to drive ethical user engagement within a product context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to walk through their thought process, design decisions, and the measurable impact of their work, particularly in areas of engagement and retention. Demonstrating an understanding of ethical gamification and cross-generational design will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• As a contract position, standard employee benefits (health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans) are typically not included. Contract compensation often reflects the cost of these benefits.

• Potential for flexible working arrangements as negotiated with the hiring team.

• Opportunity to work on a mission-driven product with significant potential for impact.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time engagement is implied, likely around 40 hours per week, consistent with typical contract roles of this seniority. Flexibility may be negotiated based on project needs and candidate availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specific benefits for contract roles can vary widely. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding payment terms, contract duration, and any potential for conversion to a full-time role during the interview process. The provided salary range is an estimate based on general market data for similar senior contract roles in the US.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology / Health & Wellness / AI Platform

Company Size: Early-stage startup (specific size not provided, but implied to be small and lean)

Founded: WISEcode is an evolving entity, with a focus on developing an AI-driven platform for food understanding and healthy habits.

Team Structure:

• The design team likely operates closely with Product Management and Engineering.

• As a senior lead, this role may involve mentoring junior designers or closely collaborating with a small, specialized design group.

Methodology:

• Agile development practices are in use, necessitating iterative design and close collaboration within sprints.

• Emphasis on leveraging AI tools to enhance design efficiency and accelerate product development.

• Data-driven decision-making is expected, with a focus on user research, usability testing, and retention metrics.

• A lean startup approach implies a need for adaptability, rapid iteration, and a bias toward action.

Company Website: [ WISEcode company website details are not provided, but the domain is wisecode.ai ]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is characterized by innovation, a mission-driven purpose, and the agility required in a startup environment. The focus on AI and health/wellness suggests a forward-thinking and impactful mission.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor / Lead Designer

Reporting Structure: Expected to report to a Head of Product, Design Lead, or a founding team member. This role has significant autonomy in defining and executing design strategy for engagement systems.

Operations Impact: The role's primary impact is on user engagement, retention, and ultimately, the success of WISEcode's AI-driven food and health platform. By designing compelling and ethical interactive experiences, this role directly influences user habit formation and product adoption.

Growth Opportunities:

• Opportunity to shape the core user experience and engagement strategy of a novel AI-powered health and wellness product.

• Potential for leadership in defining future design directions and methodologies within the company.

• Exposure to cutting-edge AI applications in consumer product design.

• For a contract role, there may be potential for extension or conversion to a full-time position based on performance and company growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This senior role offers significant influence and the chance to build impactful systems from the ground up. Growth opportunities are tied to the success of the product and the candidate's ability to drive innovation and demonstrate leadership within the design function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The "On-site" designation implies a physical office presence. Specific details about the office environment (e.g., co-working space, dedicated office) are not provided but are typical for a startup.

Office Location(s): United States. Specific city or state is not detailed, which is common for broader US-based roles.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative environment expected, with close interaction among design, product, and engineering teams.

• Access to necessary design tools and technology, including Figma and potentially AI design assistants.

Work Schedule:

• Standard professional hours are expected, likely Monday through Friday.

• As a contract role, there may be some flexibility negotiated around specific deadlines and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should inquire about the specific office location and work environment during the interview process. The "On-site" nature suggests a preference for in-person collaboration, which is beneficial for rapid iteration in a startup setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skill alignment, and demonstrated impact.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A session where you present key case studies from your portfolio, focusing on engagement systems, mobile UX, and gamification. Expect detailed questions about your design process, rationale, and the outcomes of your work.

• Skills-Based Interview: Technical interviews focusing on Figma proficiency, understanding of design systems, and application of behavioral psychology.

• Behavioral & Situational Interviews: Questions assessing your ability to work in a startup environment, collaborate cross-functionally, handle ambiguity, and champion ethical design.

• Final Round: Potentially with founding team members or senior leadership to assess cultural fit and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the solutions you designed, and the measurable results (e.g., increased retention, engagement metrics).

• Showcase Engagement Systems: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your ability to design progression models, motivation loops, reward frameworks, or other gamified elements.

• Highlight Ethical Design: Emphasize how you designed for user well-being, avoided manipulative mechanics, and considered diverse audiences (including youth).

• Detail Your Process: Walk through your design thinking, user research, iteration process, and collaboration with engineering and product teams.

• Figma Expertise: Be prepared to discuss your experience with design systems, libraries, and creating interactive prototypes in Figma.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for potential design exercises or challenges that mimic real-world problems, focusing on designing engagement loops or improving retention for a mobile app.

• Prepare to discuss how you would leverage AI tools in your design workflow.

• Practice articulating your design decisions concisely and persuasively, as you will need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on demonstrating practical skills through your portfolio. Candidates should prepare to articulate their design decisions with a clear link to business objectives (engagement, retention) and user well-being.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, and design system management. Expect advanced usage scenarios.

• AI Design Tools: Candidates are expected to demonstrate experience with AI tools to accelerate ideation, prototyping, and documentation. Examples might include AI-powered image generation, content assistance, or workflow automation tools.

• Prototyping Tools: While Figma is primary, familiarity with other prototyping tools may be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• JIRA/Notion: For agile project management, task tracking, and team collaboration.

• Analytics Platforms (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel, Firebase Analytics): While not explicitly a designer tool, understanding how to interpret and utilize analytics data to inform design decisions and measure impact is crucial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UX/Gamification role, but understanding how design integrates with broader product ecosystems is beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is non-negotiable. The emphasis on AI tools suggests that candidates should be forward-thinking and adaptable to new technologies within the design process. Familiarity with analytics concepts is important for demonstrating impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: A focus on creating tangible improvements in user health and well-being through thoughtful design.

• Innovation & Curiosity: Encouraging exploration of new technologies (like AI) and creative solutions to complex problems.

• Collaboration: Working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Ethical Design: Commitment to user well-being, avoiding manipulative tactics, and ensuring transparency, especially for family and youth audiences.

• Agility & Action: Embracing a fast-paced startup environment with a bias toward execution and rapid iteration.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working in close partnership with Product Managers, Engineers, and Data Scientists.

• Open communication and feedback loops are expected to drive iterative design improvements.

• Designers are expected to champion user needs while balancing business objectives and technical constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values align with those often found in mission-driven tech companies, emphasizing user impact, innovation, and ethical practices within a fast-paced startup setting.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Designing engaging and ethical interactive systems for a broad audience, including children and families, on a single device.

• Balancing the need for rapid iteration in a startup with the creation of robust, scalable design systems and engagement loops.

• Integrating AI tools effectively into the design workflow to enhance efficiency without compromising creative integrity or user experience.

• Translating complex AI-driven food data into intuitive and motivating user experiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep dive into behavioral psychology and gamification strategies for health and wellness applications.

• Gaining hands-on experience with AI-powered design tools and workflows.

• Opportunity to influence product strategy and user experience at a foundational level.

• Potential for leadership growth within the design function as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for an innovative startup in the health tech space, requiring a blend of creative problem-solving, technical skill, and strategic thinking. Growth is tied to overcoming these challenges and contributing to the product's success.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you design an engagement loop for a family using WISEcode, considering different age groups and varying levels of tech-savviness?"

• "Describe a time you designed an ethical gamification system. What were the key considerations, and how did you avoid manipulative mechanics?"

• "How would you use AI tools to accelerate your design process for this role, and what are the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on AI?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about WISEcode's mission and our approach to food and health?"

• "How do you adapt your design process in a fast-paced startup environment with potentially shifting priorities?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: For each case study, use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact.

• Quantify: Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "increased Day 7 retention by 15%").

• Highlight Ethics: Specifically call out how you addressed ethical considerations in your gamification or engagement designs.

• Showcase Figma: Be ready to screen-share or discuss specific Figma files, design system elements, and prototypes.

• AI Integration: Be prepared to discuss how AI tools were used in your showcased projects, even if it was for ideation or research assistance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on articulating your thought process, demonstrating a deep understanding of engagement and gamification principles, and showcasing your ability to deliver impactful, ethical designs within a startup context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Lever.co link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest mobile UX and gamification design case studies, especially those demonstrating engagement systems, progression models, and ethical design principles.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 6+ years of UX/Product Design experience, 2+ years in interactive/gamification design, and proficiency in Figma and behavioral psychology. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience with AI tools and your approach to ethical design.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with WISEcode's mission, their AI-driven platform concept, and the health/wellness tech space to demonstrate genuine interest and strategic alignment.

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

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