Senior UX Designer - Monster Hunter Now

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer - Monster Hunter Now

Company: Scopely

Location: JP - Tokyo, Japan

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX/UI Design & Product Experience

Date Posted: 2026-06-26

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Owns the end-to-end UX vision and strategy for a key game title or feature area, driving from initial concept through to polished, high-fidelity implementation.

• Focuses on creating engaging mobile experiences that inspire exploration, exercise, and connection, specifically for the "Monster Hunter Now" game.

• Collaborates closely with Game Design, Product, Engineering, Art, and Marketing as a peer to influence product direction and ensure a cohesive player experience.

• Mentors junior designers, elevates the overall design craft within the team, and explores the strategic integration of AI tools and workflows to enhance design processes.

• Requires a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in mobile interaction design, visual/UI craft, and measurable impact on shipped products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within Scopely's Tokyo studio and specifically targets the "Monster Hunter Now" game, a title developed in partnership with Niantic. The emphasis on "no established playbook" and "defining the problem, not just the solution" indicates a need for a proactive, strategic designer capable of navigating ambiguity and driving innovation in a dynamic mobile gaming environment. The requirement for both English and Japanese proficiency highlights the global nature of the team and the need for seamless communication across different regions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the end-to-end UX vision and strategy for a specific game title or major feature area within "Monster Hunter Now," from initial ideation to final implementation.

• Define and establish interaction patterns, design approaches, and the overarching quality bar for all player-facing experiences, effectively navigating undefined problem spaces with minimal direct supervision.

• Produce high-fidelity UI designs, detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and comprehensive design documentation to clearly communicate design direction and validate concepts early in the development cycle.

• Foster strong cross-functional alignment and actively influence product direction through close collaboration with Game Design, Product Management, Engineering, Art, and Marketing teams.

• Facilitate ideation sessions and feature planning processes by framing critical problems worth solving, rather than merely responding to pre-defined requirements.

• Strategically explore and integrate AI tools and workflows into the design practice, developing a clear point of view on their value proposition and application in enhancing design outcomes.

• Elevate the overall design practice by mentoring fellow designers, providing and receiving constructive critique, sharing efficient workflows, and introducing emerging tools to the team.

• Advocate persuasively for UX decisions to both internal stakeholders and external partners, building consensus, shared understanding, and buy-in for design strategies.

• Ensure regular and reliable attendance and active participation in meetings, with a specific requirement for in-office presence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a high degree of autonomy and strategic influence, typical of a senior-level operations role within product development. The focus on "framing problems worth solving" and "defining the problem, not just the solution" suggests the need for a proactive, strategic thinker who can identify opportunities for improvement and innovation within the game's user experience. The explicit mention of AI integration points to a forward-thinking approach to design tools and methodologies.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational background in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field is highly beneficial.

Experience: 6+ years of professional experience in UX/UI design, with a demonstrable track record of senior ownership over complex, ambiguous projects from inception to completion.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A robust portfolio showcasing strong mobile interaction design, exceptional visual/UI craft, and clear evidence of your specific contributions, the strategic decisions you drove, and the measurable impact on shipped products.

• User Flows & Wireframing: Expert-level proficiency in creating detailed user flows and wireframes to map out user journeys and information architecture.

• Visual Design: Strong visual design skills with a keen eye for aesthetics, branding, and creating polished, high-fidelity interfaces.

• Prototyping: Fluency with modern prototyping tools to create interactive mockups and validate design concepts.

• Figma Proficiency: Expert-level command of Figma for design, prototyping, and collaboration.

• AI Integration: Hands-on experience integrating AI tools and workflows into a design practice, with a mature understanding of where AI adds genuine value and where human creativity and judgment are paramount.

• Cross-functional Influence: A proven ability to influence cross-functional partners and product direction effectively, even without formal authority.

• Mentorship: Experience mentoring junior designers and contributing to or defining design systems and patterns.

• Autonomy in Ambiguity: Comfort operating autonomously in ambiguous environments, with a demonstrated ability to define problems and propose solutions proactively.

• Mobile Application/Game Experience: Experience successfully shipping mobile applications or games, understanding the unique constraints and opportunities of these platforms.

• Language Proficiency: Strong proficiency in both English and Japanese, enabling effective communication and influence both verbally and in writing across local and global teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the mobile gaming industry, with a deep understanding of player motivations and engagement loops.

• Familiarity with game design principles and player psychology.

• Experience with user research methodologies and translating insights into design decisions.

• Contributions to established design systems or experience in building design systems from scratch.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a strong portfolio that includes "measurable impact on shipped products" is critical for operations roles. Candidates should be prepared to quantify their contributions and demonstrate how their design decisions led to tangible improvements in user engagement, retention, or other key metrics relevant to game performance. The bilingual requirement is a significant differentiator for this role in Tokyo.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• End-to-End Project Examples: Showcase 2-3 complex, ambiguous projects where you owned the UX vision and strategy from concept through implementation.

• Mobile-First Design: Highlight specific mobile applications or games, detailing your role in defining interaction patterns and player-facing experiences.

• Visual & UI Craft: Present high-fidelity UI mockups and prototypes that demonstrate exceptional visual design and interaction quality.

• AI Integration Case Studies: Include examples of how you've integrated AI tools into your design workflow, explaining the purpose, process, and impact.

• Measurable Impact: Quantify the success of your designs, providing data on user flows, engagement metrics, retention rates, or other relevant KPIs that demonstrate ROI.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Illustrate instances where you influenced product direction and drove alignment across Product, Engineering, Art, and Marketing.

• Mentorship Contributions: Detail any contributions to design systems, pattern libraries, or instances where you mentored other designers.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate your ability to map out complex user journeys and information architecture through clear user flows and wireframes.

• Design Validation: Show how you use prototypes and design documentation to validate concepts and gather feedback early in the development lifecycle.

• AI Workflow Exploration: Present your approach to exploring and evaluating AI tools, outlining criteria for adoption and integration into operational design processes.

• Performance Analysis: Prepare to discuss how you measure the success of UX/UI designs, referencing specific metrics and analytics used in previous projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as a tangible demonstration of operational capability, showcasing not just aesthetic skill but the ability to manage complex projects, collaborate effectively, and drive measurable business outcomes. The expectation is for a curated collection of work that clearly articulates the candidate's strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and impact within a product development lifecycle.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX Designer in Tokyo with 6+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is ¥8,000,000 - ¥12,000,000 JPY. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior design roles in major metropolitan areas like Tokyo, considering the specialized nature of game design and the bilingual requirement.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401k equivalent in Japan).

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, public holidays) and potential for additional paid time off for in-office days.

• Professional development budget for conferences, training, and learning resources, including AI tools and design methodologies.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options.

• Relocation assistance may be available for candidates moving to Tokyo.

• Access to cutting-edge design tools and technology.

• Opportunities for international collaboration and travel.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring in-office presence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the Tokyo office. Flexibility may be offered outside of core in-office days, subject to team and project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for Tokyo, Japan, reflecting typical compensation for a Senior UX Designer with the specified experience level and bilingual skills. Benefits are standard for a tech company of Scopely's caliber, with particular emphasis on professional development and potential relocation support for this international role. The hybrid model is clearly defined with specific in-office days.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Mobile Gaming. Scopely is a leading global company known for developing and operating successful mobile games, including major titles like "MONOPOLY GO!" and "Pokémon GO" (in partnership with Niantic). The company focuses on creating enduring player experiences through a combination of proprietary technology and strategic acquisitions.

Company Size: Scopely is a large, global organization with thousands of employees worldwide, indicating a robust infrastructure and significant resources. This scale suggests opportunities for diverse career paths and cross-functional exposure.

Founded: Scopely was founded in 2011, establishing a strong history and proven track record in the competitive mobile gaming market. Their growth trajectory includes significant acquisitions, demonstrating strategic expansion and a dynamic operational environment.

Team Structure:

• Design Team: The UX Design team operates within the "Monster Hunter Now" game development context, likely comprising specialized roles in UX, UI, and potentially UX Research.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This role emphasizes peer-level collaboration with Game Design, Product Management, Engineering, Art, and Marketing. This indicates a highly integrated product development process where design is central to decision-making.

• Reporting: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead or Director within the "Monster Hunter Now" project or the broader Tokyo studio, with direct interaction and mentorship responsibilities for other designers.

Methodology:

• User-Centric Design: The core philosophy is to keep the player at the center of all design decisions, ensuring experiences are intuitive, engaging, and accessible to a broad audience.

• Data-Driven Iteration: While not explicitly stated for this role, large gaming companies like Scopely typically leverage player data and analytics to inform design iterations and optimize game performance.

• Agile Development: Given the nature of mobile game development, an agile or iterative development process is highly probable, requiring designers to adapt to changing requirements and provide continuous input.

• AI Exploration: A key methodology is the thoughtful integration of AI tools to amplify creativity and efficiency, rather than replace human design expertise.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Scopely's culture is characterized by a strong focus on player experience, innovation, and a data-informed approach. The "tenet-driven culture" mentioned in their description suggests a set of core values that guide decision-making and team interactions. For a Senior UX Designer, understanding these tenets and how they translate into product design is crucial for cultural fit and effective collaboration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a significant level of autonomy, responsibility, and influence. Senior UX Designers are expected to lead projects, mentor junior team members, and contribute to strategic design decisions. They operate with a high degree of independence, defining problems and solutions rather than simply executing tasks.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will report to a Design Manager or Lead within the "Monster Hunter Now" project or the Scopely Tokyo studio. They will work closely with peers in Product Management, Engineering, Art, and Game Design, acting as a design advocate and collaborator. This structure fosters cross-functional influence and shared ownership of product success.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is on the player experience for "Monster Hunter Now." By owning the end-to-end UX vision, the Senior UX Designer directly influences player engagement, retention, satisfaction, and ultimately, the commercial success of the game. Their strategic contributions shape the game's core mechanics and user journey, making it accessible and enjoyable for both seasoned gamers and new players. The integration of AI tools also aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the design operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to take on lead roles for specific game features or larger project areas, mentoring and guiding junior designers.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in complex mobile interaction design, AI-driven design workflows, and the nuances of the mobile gaming market.

• Strategic Influence: Grow influence within the product development lifecycle, contributing to higher-level product strategy and design direction.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain exposure to game design, product management, and engineering disciplines, broadening overall product development understanding.

• Global Collaboration: Enhance experience working with diverse, international teams and contributing to globally recognized game titles.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UX Designer, career progression often involves moving into Lead or Principal Designer roles, or transitioning into Product Management or Design Leadership. The emphasis on mentorship suggests a path towards team leadership. The integration of AI also presents an opportunity to become a subject matter expert in emerging design technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Scopely's Tokyo studio, operating under a hybrid work model. This means a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work, with a specific requirement for in-office presence on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Office Location(s): The primary work location is Tokyo, Japan. Specific details about the office address and amenities would typically be provided during the interview process, but generally, major tech hubs like Tokyo offer modern office spaces designed for collaboration and productivity.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The in-office days are designed for focused collaboration, ideation sessions, cross-functional meetings, and team building, leveraging face-to-face interaction for critical discussions.

• Tooling & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), prototyping tools, and potentially AI-powered design assistants will be provided. The company likely invests in robust technology infrastructure to support its global operations.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model facilitates both deep work at home and regular, structured interaction with design peers, product managers, engineers, and game designers within the Tokyo studio.

Work Schedule: The typical work schedule is around 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement provides structured in-office days for collaborative activities, balancing this with the flexibility of remote work for individual focused tasks and deep work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with set in-office days is a common operational strategy to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. For a Senior UX Designer, this structure allows for effective team engagement and individual deep work, crucial for complex design tasks.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit, and to explain the interview process.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Expect a deep dive into your portfolio, focusing on your specific contributions, design process, and the impact of your work. A design challenge, either take-home or live, may be administered to assess your problem-solving skills, design thinking, and ability to apply concepts to a mobile gaming context. This is where you'll demonstrate your UX process.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with peers from Product Management, Engineering, Art, and Game Design to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and ability to influence.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A final discussion with the Hiring Manager or Design Lead to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, mentorship capabilities, and alignment with team goals and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase end-to-end ownership, mobile experience, and measurable impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific role and process, the challenges you faced, the decisions you made, and the quantifiable outcomes.

• Highlight AI Integration: If possible, include a project that demonstrates your experience with AI tools in the design process, explaining the rationale and impact.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved conversion rates, increased engagement, reduced task completion time).

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design rationale, trade-offs made, and how you would approach similar challenges in the "Monster Hunter Now" context.

• Demonstrate Bilingualism: Be ready to discuss how you leverage your Japanese and English language skills in a global team environment.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Game: Familiarize yourself with "Monster Hunter Now" and its core mechanics, target audience, and existing UX/UI.

• Focus on Process: For any design challenge, emphasize your thought process, problem-solving approach, and how you arrive at your solutions, rather than just the final output.

• Consider Constraints: Think about the specific constraints of mobile gaming (screen size, touch interactions, performance, monetization) and the "Monster Hunter" IP.

• Practice Presentation: Be ready to clearly articulate your design decisions and rationale within a given time limit, simulating a stakeholder presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for senior roles in operations and product development heavily relies on demonstrating a structured, data-informed approach to problem-solving. The portfolio review and any design challenges are critical for assessing not just creative talent but operational capability and strategic thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Expert-level proficiency is mandatory for UI design, prototyping, and collaborative workflows. This is the central tool for day-to-day design operations.

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency with Figma's prototyping capabilities or other industry-standard tools (e.g., Principle, After Effects for motion design) to create interactive user flows and validate concepts.

• AI Design Tools: Experience with AI-powered tools for ideation, asset generation, workflow automation, or content creation (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, potentially AI-assisted wireframing or content generation tools).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Game Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with platforms used in game development to track player behavior, engagement, and monetization (e.g., Unity Analytics, GameAnalytics, or proprietary Scopely tools).

• Data Visualization Tools: While not explicitly required, experience with tools that help visualize data (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) can be beneficial for understanding player metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello for task management, sprint planning, and tracking design progress within development cycles.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with communication tools such as Slack and video conferencing platforms (e.g., Google Meet, Zoom) for seamless remote and in-office team interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and AI integration highlights key technical requirements. For a senior role, the expectation is not just to use these tools but to understand their strategic application in optimizing the design process and enhancing product outcomes. Familiarity with game-specific analytics is also a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the player's needs, ensuring that all design decisions enhance the player experience and foster engagement.

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A dedication to high standards in visual design, interaction design, and overall polish, ensuring that delivered experiences are exceptional.

• Collaboration & Peer Review: An open and constructive environment where designers work together, share feedback respectfully, and collectively elevate the quality of their work.

• Innovation & Experimentation: A willingness to explore new tools, technologies (like AI), and design approaches to push boundaries and create unique player experiences.

• Impact & Results: A focus on delivering designs that have a measurable positive impact on player engagement, retention, and business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: Collaboration is viewed as a core component of the design process, with designers working as integral, peer-level partners with Product, Engineering, Art, and Game Design.

• Constructive Critique: An environment that encourages open, honest, and respectful feedback to foster continuous improvement and shared learning.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that promotes the sharing of workflows, best practices, emerging tools, and insights across the design team and with other disciplines.

• Problem-Solving Orientation: Teams are encouraged to tackle complex, ambiguous problems collaboratively, leveraging diverse perspectives to find the most effective solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "player-centricity" and "craftsmanship" aligns with the core values of a successful game development team. The "collaboration and peer review" aspect is crucial for a Senior Designer who is expected to both contribute to and elevate the team's collective output. The proactive exploration of AI tools points to a culture that embraces technological advancement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Tackling complex, undefined problems in the mobile gaming space with minimal direct guidance, requiring strong self-direction and problem-definition skills.

• Balancing Player Needs with Business Goals: Effectively integrating player desires and engagement loops with monetization strategies and business objectives of a live-service game.

• AI Integration Strategy: Developing a clear, strategic point of view on how and when to leverage AI tools to enhance design without compromising creativity or player experience.

• Global Team Dynamics: Communicating and collaborating effectively across different cultures, time zones, and languages, especially bridging English and Japanese teams.

• Maintaining High Design Quality: Ensuring consistently high standards of UX/UI craft across a dynamic and evolving game title.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI in Design Mastery: Becoming an expert in leveraging AI tools for creative workflows, potentially shaping how the company adopts these technologies.

• Game Design Acumen: Deepening understanding of game mechanics, player psychology, and the intricacies of designing for live-service games.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and potentially leading design initiatives for key game features.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining broader knowledge in product management, engineering, and live operations within the gaming industry.

• Global Project Exposure: Contributing to a major international game title, providing valuable experience in global product development and market dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for a proactive, adaptable, and strategically minded designer. The growth opportunities are well-aligned with a senior role, focusing on leadership, specialized expertise, and broader industry knowledge.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned the end-to-end UX vision for a complex, ambiguous project. What was your process, what were the key challenges, and what was the measurable impact?" (Focus on your structured approach, decision-making, and quantifiable results.)

• "How do you approach defining a problem space when given a vague brief? Provide an example from your experience." (Demonstrate your ability to frame problems and initiate solutions.)

• "How have you integrated AI tools into your design workflow? What was your rationale, and what was the impact on efficiency or creative output?" (Be specific about the tools used and the outcomes.)

• "How do you influence product direction and gain buy-in from cross-functional partners (Product, Engineering, Marketing) when they have different priorities?" (Highlight your collaboration and communication strategies.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about designing for 'Monster Hunter Now' and the mobile gaming industry?" (Showcase your research and passion for the product and genre.)

• "How do you balance player experience with business objectives like monetization or engagement targets?" (Demonstrate an understanding of the commercial realities of game development.)

• "Describe your experience mentoring junior designers. What is your approach to providing feedback and fostering growth?" (Highlight your leadership and team-building potential.)

• "How do you see AI evolving the role of a UX Designer in the gaming industry?" (Show your forward-thinking perspective.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: For each project, use a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role/Process -> Challenges -> Solutions -> Impact (quantified).

• Visual Storytelling: Ensure your visuals are clean, compelling, and directly support your narrative. Use annotated screenshots or short video clips where appropriate.

• Quantify Everything: Have data points ready to back up your claims of success (e.g., "This redesign led to a 15% increase in task completion rate," or "User feedback indicated a 20% improvement in perceived ease of use").

• Highlight AI: If a project involved AI, dedicate specific slides or talking points to explain its role and impact.

• Address Bilingualism: Be prepared to discuss how your language skills facilitate collaboration and contribute to the success of global projects.

• Engage and Discuss: Frame your presentation as a conversation, inviting questions and demonstrating your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for senior operations roles is about demonstrating strategic thinking, process mastery, and the ability to drive measurable outcomes. Candidates should prepare specific examples that highlight their problem-solving skills, cross-functional collaboration, and impact. The bilingual requirement adds a unique dimension to preparation, requiring candidates to showcase how they leverage this skill.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Greenhouse platform.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant mobile gaming projects, end-to-end UX ownership, and any experience with AI integration. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your specific contributions and measurable impact.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 6+ years of experience, senior-level project ownership, bilingual capabilities (English/Japanese), and proficiency with key design tools like Figma. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and project outcomes using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare specific examples for strategy, collaboration, and mentorship questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Scopely, their portfolio of games (especially "Monster Hunter Now" and other Niantic collaborations), and their stated company values. Understand their market position and approach to game development.

⚠️ 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.