Senior UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer

Company: 2K (The Gearbox Entertainment Company)

Location: Frisco, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Development - User Experience (UX) Design

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: 7+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: Remote Eligible (US & Canada)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the player experience by ensuring intuitive understanding and navigation of in-game UI systems, directly impacting core gameplay loops and player engagement.

• Collaborate closely with Lead UX Designers, UI/UX Directors, Game Designers, and the UI team to translate game vision into seamless user interfaces.

• Establish and maintain cohesive UX standards, including guidelines for typography, layouts, accessibility, and universal control schemes across all projects.

• Facilitate the implementation process by creating detailed design documentation and reference materials for the UI Art and UI Code teams.

• Integrate accessibility best practices into daily workflows, ensuring inclusive design for a broad player base.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Senior" UX Designer, indicating a need for a candidate who can not only execute design tasks but also contribute to defining standards, mentoring others, and influencing design direction. The emphasis on AAA titles and specific game genres (FPS, Borderlands) suggests a need for domain-specific expertise.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Review and analyze design documentation from various teams to identify and address potential confusion points within UI systems and their alignment with the overall game vision.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive UX design documentation, including wireframes, user flows, mockups, and interactive prototypes, tailored for implementation by UI Art and UI Code teams.

• Define and enforce UX best practices and style guides for typography, layout, color, information architecture, and interaction design across all game menus and UI elements.

• Actively participate in the UI implementation process, working closely with UI artists and engineers to ensure the fidelity of the user experience and the clarity of player feedback mechanisms.

• Assist in the creation of testing criteria for UI playtests and analyze feedback to generate actionable insights for design iteration and improvement.

• Provide critical input to Systems, Content, and UI leads regarding player confusion points, suggesting design solutions that enhance usability and engagement.

• Implement quick UI prototypes within the game engine to test concepts, iterate on behavior, and fine-tune aspects like tutorials, text entries, and control schemes.

• Champion and integrate accessibility standards and best practices throughout the UI design lifecycle, ensuring the game is playable and enjoyable for all users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic design thinking, hands-on prototyping, and collaborative execution. The emphasis on "facilitating implementation," "providing input," and "integrating accessibility" suggests a proactive and influential role beyond just creating assets.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Computer Science, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level UX roles. A strong portfolio can often substitute for formal education.

Experience: Minimum of 7 years of professional experience specifically in games UI/UX design.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience shipping at least one AAA title, with a strong preference for experience with Unreal Engine and first-person shooter (FPS) games.

• Demonstrated track record of successful UI/UX design and implementation within video game development.

• Deep understanding of modern game UI experiences, including player flow through menus, HUD design principles, control mapping strategies, and effective player feedback mechanisms.

• Exceptional documentation skills for creating clear and concise design specifications, user flows, and wireframes.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate design rationale and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive working relationships with designers, artists, engineers, and producers.

• Superior organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet project deadlines.

• High degree of self-motivation and focus, with the ability to work independently and drive project goals forward. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with core Borderlands mechanics and an understanding of how gamepad and keyboard/mouse interfaces function in modern shooters.

• Experience with co-operative (co-op) and/or online multiplayer game design and UI implementation.

• Experience navigating the certification and shipping processes for modern console platforms (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch).

• Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine and its UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) UI editor.

• Fluency in French.

• Previous experience in a leadership or mentoring capacity, guiding junior or intermediate designers and artists.

• Specific experience or formal training in game accessibility standards and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Nice-to-Haves" section provides significant insight into the desired candidate profile, particularly the preference for Unreal Engine, FPS, and Borderlands familiarity. The mention of leadership/mentoring experience further reinforces the senior nature of the role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 7 years of professional UX/UI design work within the games industry, with a clear emphasis on shipped AAA titles.

• Include detailed case studies demonstrating your involvement in the end-to-end design process, from concept and wireframing to final implementation and iteration.

• Highlight projects that specifically involved designing complex menu systems, HUDs, control schemes, or player feedback loops for games, ideally FPS or similar genres.

• Demonstrate proficiency in creating and implementing UI designs using modern game engines, with a preference for examples using Unreal Engine.

• Evidence of contributions to accessibility features and inclusive design practices within your projects.

• Examples of design documentation, including user flows, wireframes, mockups, and potentially interactive prototypes, that were used to guide development teams. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have documented UI/UX design decisions, including rationale, user flows, interaction specifications, and accessibility considerations.

• Showcase your approach to collaborating with UI Art and UI Code teams, including how you provide assets and specifications for implementation.

• Detail your experience in iterating on designs based on playtesting feedback, internal reviews, and QA findings, illustrating your problem-solving process for UI/UX issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, especially in game development, a robust portfolio is paramount. It should not only showcase visual design but also deep understanding of user-centered design principles, game mechanics integration, and collaborative development processes. The emphasis on AAA titles and Unreal Engine means these should be prominently featured.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the "Senior" title, 7+ years of experience, AAA game development focus, and location in Frisco, Texas, the estimated salary range for a Senior UX Designer in this market would likely fall between $110,000 and $150,000 USD annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior-level UX professionals in the gaming sector, adjusted for the cost of living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and considering the specific technical requirements (Unreal Engine, FPS).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with potential company match.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options.

• Access to company-provided gaming hardware and software for testing and research.

• Employee assistance programs (EAP).

Working Hours: Standard full-time position, typically 40 hours per week. However, the gaming industry often involves periods of crunch time leading up to major milestones or product launches, which may require extended hours. The "Remote Eligible" status suggests flexibility in work location, but consistent availability during core business hours for collaboration is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary ranges for senior roles in the tech and gaming industries, particularly in major metropolitan areas like Frisco, TX, are competitive. The estimate reflects the specialized nature of game UX design and the demand for AAA experience. Benefits are standard for a large entertainment company like 2K/Take-Two.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development and Publishing. Gearbox Entertainment is a renowned developer known for its critically acclaimed franchises. Being part of 2K means operating within a larger ecosystem of game development and publishing under Take-Two Interactive.

Company Size: The Gearbox Entertainment Company is part of 2K, which is a significant entity within Take-Two Interactive. Gearbox itself has grown substantially, employing hundreds of individuals. This suggests a structured environment with established processes but also opportunities for impact.

Founded: Gearbox Software was founded in 1999. This long history in the industry implies a mature company culture with deep roots in game development, likely valuing creativity, innovation, and player-centric design.

Team Structure:

• The UX team likely operates as a specialized unit within the broader Game Design department.

• It will include a Lead UX Designer, Senior UX Designers (like this role), and potentially Junior/Intermediate UX Designers.

• This team collaborates intensively with UI Art, UI Code, Systems Design, Content Design, and Producers across various game projects.

• Reporting likely goes up to a UI/UX Director or Head of Game Design. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizing player data, analytics, and playtesting feedback to inform design decisions and validate UI/UX effectiveness.

• Agile Development: Working in iterative cycles, with frequent collaboration and adjustments based on project needs and feedback.

• User-Centered Approach: Prioritizing the player experience, ensuring clarity, ease of use, and engagement through thoughtful UI/UX design.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Emphasizing teamwork and communication across design, art, engineering, and production disciplines to achieve a cohesive final product.

Company Website: www.gearboxsoftware.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Gearbox's history with successful franchises like Borderlands suggests a culture that thrives on creativity, innovation, and building compelling game worlds. The emphasis on player experience and collaboration is key for a UX role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior UX Designer role, signifying a mid-to-late career stage. Candidates are expected to possess a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and the ability to influence design direction and mentor junior team members. The role requires not just execution but also strategic input on UX standards and processes.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will report to a Lead UX Designer or a UI/UX Director. They will work closely with Game Designers, UI Artists, and UI Engineers, often acting as a bridge between these disciplines.

Operations Impact: The UX Designer's impact is direct and critical to the player's perception and enjoyment of the game. A well-designed UI/UX can significantly enhance player retention, satisfaction, and overall game success, directly contributing to sales and positive reviews. Effective UI/UX is fundamental to delivering on the game's core mechanics and narrative.

Growth Opportunities:

• Lead UX Designer: Progression to a Lead role, managing a team of UX designers and taking ownership of the UX vision for a project.

• UX Director: Moving into a directorial position, overseeing all UX efforts across multiple projects or studios, and shaping the company's UX strategy.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like accessibility design, player research, or interaction design for complex systems.

• Mentorship: Formalizing mentorship of junior designers, developing leadership skills.

• Cross-Disciplinary Roles: Potentially transitioning into roles like Game Design, Technical Design, or Product Management with additional experience and training.

📝 Enhancement Note: The senior level implies a path towards leadership or deep specialization. The gaming industry, particularly at established studios like Gearbox, often provides clear career ladders for creative and technical roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates from a physical headquarters in Frisco, Texas. While this specific role is remote-eligible, the company culture is rooted in a collaborative office environment. The office setting would likely be modern, creative, and geared towards game development, with open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and dedicated spaces for art and design teams.

Office Location(s): Headquarters in Frisco, Texas. The "Remote Eligible" status indicates that candidates based in the United States or Canada can work remotely, subject to team coordination and potential occasional travel to the Frisco office for key meetings or events.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace where cross-functional teams regularly interact. For remote workers, this translates to extensive use of communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Discord, video conferencing).

• Tools & Technology: Access to high-end development hardware, industry-standard software (Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma/Sketch), and internal tools developed by Gearbox.

• Team Interaction: Regular participation in design reviews, stand-ups, and project meetings, both in-person (if applicable) and virtually. The role requires active engagement with peers and stakeholders.

Work Schedule: While the core work week is 40 hours, the demanding nature of game development may necessitate flexibility and occasional extended hours, particularly around project deadlines. Remote work offers flexibility in structuring the workday, but clear communication and availability during core collaboration hours are essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote eligibility is a significant perk, but candidates should be prepared for the potential need for occasional travel and understand that the company's primary operations are office-based.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and alignment with company culture.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Interview: A deep dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on specific projects, design process, problem-solving approaches, and contributions. This often involves a presentation by the candidate.

• Design Challenge/Take-Home Assignment: A practical exercise to evaluate design skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to a specific UI/UX challenge relevant to game development.

• Team Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues, including Lead UX Designers, UI Artists, Game Designers, and potentially Directors, to assess technical fit, collaboration style, and cultural alignment.

• Final Interview: Potentially with higher-level management or department heads to make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Select Projects: Focus on 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your capabilities as a Senior UX Designer in games.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, testing, iteration), the solutions you implemented, and the outcomes or impact.

• Highlight AAA & Unreal Experience: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work on AAA titles and any projects utilizing Unreal Engine or similar game development tools.

• Showcase Specific Skills: Include examples demonstrating expertise in menu design, HUDs, control schemes, player feedback, and accessibility.

• Prepare a Presentation: Be ready to walk through your portfolio, explaining your contributions and design rationale clearly and concisely. Practice your presentation to ensure it flows well and stays within time limits.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a take-home challenge, thoroughly understand the game genre, target audience, and specific UI/UX problem presented.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process, not just the final visual output. Explain your assumptions, research, and decision-making.

• Prioritize Clarity & Functionality: For game UI, clarity, responsiveness, and ease of use are paramount. Ensure your solutions address these aspects effectively.

• Consider Accessibility: If not explicitly stated, consider how accessibility could be integrated into your solution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process in game development is highly competitive and portfolio-centric. Candidates must be prepared to articulate their design philosophy and demonstrate practical application of UX principles within the gaming context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Prototyping & Wireframing: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure RP. Proficiency in at least one is essential.

• Game Engine Integration: Unreal Engine (UE) and its UI editor, UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics), are highly preferred. Experience with Unity or other engines may also be valuable.

• Design & Asset Creation: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for creating UI assets and mockups.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly the UX Designer's primary tool, understanding how game analytics tools (e.g., internal telemetry, specific analytics platforms) are used to track UI performance and player behavior is beneficial.

• Ability to interpret data from playtests and user research reports. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role in the traditional sense, but familiarity with project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for tracking tasks and workflow is expected.

• Version control systems like Git for managing design documentation and assets might be used.

📝 Enhancement Note: Unreal Engine and UMG are specifically called out as preferred. This indicates a strong preference for candidates with hands-on experience in this particular game development ecosystem.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-First: A deep commitment to creating exceptional experiences for players, prioritizing their needs and enjoyment above all else.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing open communication, constructive feedback, and the collective effort required to build complex games.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging new ideas, pushing creative boundaries, and finding unique solutions to design challenges.

• Excellence & Polish: A dedication to high-quality standards and meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of game development, particularly UI/UX.

• Continuous Improvement: A culture that embraces learning, iteration, and adapting to new technologies and player expectations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: UX Designers are integral to multiple teams, requiring strong collaboration with UI Artists, UI Engineers, Game Designers, and Producers.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: A culture of regular design reviews, playtests, and critiques to refine designs and ensure alignment.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, techniques, and insights across projects and disciplines. This is particularly important given the remote eligibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a passion for gaming, a collaborative spirit, and a drive for quality and innovation, all crucial for success in the demanding game development environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Player Needs with Technical Constraints: Designing intuitive and accessible UIs while adhering to engine limitations, performance targets, and development schedules.

• Managing Ambiguity in Early Development: Working with evolving game designs and mechanics, requiring adaptability and the ability to design for future iterations.

• Ensuring Consistency Across a Large Project: Maintaining a cohesive UI/UX experience across potentially hundreds of screens and various game modes, especially in a remote or multi-studio environment.

• Integrating Accessibility Seamlessly: Designing for accessibility from the outset rather than as an afterthought, ensuring it enhances rather than detracts from the core experience for all players.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Unreal Engine/UMG Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in the engine's UI tools.

• Industry Conferences: Attending events like GDC (Game Developers Conference) or UXPA to stay abreast of industry trends and network.

• Accessibility Certifications: Pursuing formal certifications in accessibility design for digital products.

• Mentorship Programs: Participating in or leading mentorship to develop leadership and teaching skills.

• Exposure to Diverse Projects: Gaining experience across different game genres and project scopes within the 2K/Gearbox portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges reflect common issues in AAA game development UX, emphasizing problem-solving and adaptability. The growth opportunities are aligned with typical career progression paths in specialized design roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance conflicting design requirements from different stakeholders (e.g., Design, Art, Engineering). How did you resolve it?" (Focus on communication, negotiation, and prioritizing player experience).

• "Walk us through your process for designing a complex in-game menu system, from initial concept to final implementation. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?" (Highlight your systematic approach, documentation, and iteration).

• "How do you approach integrating accessibility features into game UI design? Can you provide an example of a specific accessibility feature you designed or improved?" (Demonstrate your understanding of inclusive design principles and practical application). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at Gearbox Entertainment and specifically on our games, like Borderlands?" (Show genuine passion for their IPs and industry).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs, especially from team members with different perspectives?" (Emphasize openness to feedback and collaborative problem-solving).

• "Describe a situation where you had to adapt your design process due to project constraints or unexpected changes. What did you learn?" (Show flexibility and problem-solving under pressure). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the process you followed, the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Quantify Where Possible: Use metrics (e.g., improved player retention, reduced confusion points, faster task completion times) to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

• Focus on Rationale: Be prepared to explain why you made specific design choices, linking them back to user needs, game mechanics, and business goals.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: If applicable, demonstrate your familiarity with Unreal Engine or other relevant tools by showing interactive prototypes or explaining implementation details.

• Keep it Concise: Aim for clarity and impact, focusing on the most relevant aspects of your work. Practice your presentation to ensure it flows smoothly and respects time limits.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing not just design skills but also the ability to collaborate, problem-solve, and contribute strategically within a fast-paced game development environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-5 of your most relevant game UI/UX projects, ensuring clear documentation of your process, role, and impact. Highlight AAA titles and Unreal Engine experience prominently.

• Tailor Your Resume: Emphasize your 7+ years of professional experience in games UI/UX, quantifiable achievements, and specific skills mentioned in the job description (Unreal Engine, FPS, accessibility, documentation).

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio, articulating your design rationale, and discussing your contributions to shipped titles. Be ready to explain your process for problem-solving.

• Research Gearbox & 2K: Familiarize yourself with their game franchises (especially Borderlands), company culture, and recent news to demonstrate your interest and understanding of their market position.

⚠️ 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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