Senior UX Designer - Poker

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer - Poker

Company: Zynga

Location: Austin, TX, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design, Game Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-05T05:20:33

Experience Level: 5+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Shape the end-to-end user experience for a live, social, real-time competitive poker game, impacting millions of global players.

• Drive innovative feature development through a strong understanding of player psychology and game design principles.

• Utilize a comprehensive design process, from problem definition and research to validation and iteration, ensuring user-centricity.

• Collaborate closely with product management, art, engineering, and user research teams to deliver exceptional gaming experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is focused on the operational aspects of UX/UI design within a live-service game environment, emphasizing continuous improvement, player engagement, and the strategic application of design methodologies to achieve business objectives in the competitive gaming market.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, define, and develop new game features and enhancements that significantly elevate the player experience in Zynga Poker.

• Create detailed user flows, interface wireframes, interactive prototypes, and comprehensive design documentation for cross-functional team alignment.

• Employ a rigorous design process encompassing problem definition, user research, data analysis (qualitative and quantitative), solution design, and user testing validation.

• Design intuitive and engaging user interface layouts, ensuring a clear visual hierarchy, effective information architecture, and adherence to a consistent thematic art style.

• Develop functional animations for user interactions, enhancing the perceived quality and responsiveness of the game.

• Partner with art teams to define and maintain a strong thematic art style that resonates with the target audience and brand identity.

• Collaborate closely with technical artists and engineers to ensure design feasibility and seamless integration within the game engine.

• Plan, moderate, and analyze user testing sessions to gather critical feedback and inform design iterations.

• Conduct thorough market competitor research and deconstruct competitor offerings to identify best practices and opportunities for differentiation.

• Perform heuristic evaluations of both internal and external products to identify usability issues and areas for improvement.

• Act as a subject matter expert, setting standards, guiding junior designers, and championing best practices in UI/UX within the game team.

• Lead and actively participate in company-wide UI/UX community events, design critiques, product reviews, and feature retrospectives to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of individual contribution and leadership, emphasizing the strategic impact of UX/UI design on game success, player retention, and revenue generation within a live-service gaming context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or a closely related field. A combination of relevant education and experience may substitute for the formal degree requirement.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in UX/UI design within the game development industry, with a proven track record of working on at least 3 distinct game titles.

Required Skills:

• UX Design Process Mastery: Deep expertise in defining usability challenges, conducting problem-space research, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, designing effective solutions, and validating ideas through user testing.

• Game Design Expertise: Experienced in designing specifically for games, prioritizing fun and engagement over simple task completion, with a strong understanding of player psychology.

• Prototyping Software Proficiency: Accomplished expert in using industry-standard prototyping design software (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Axure) to create interactive mockups and workflows.

• User Interface Layout Design: High competence in user interface layout design, establishing clear visual hierarchy, understanding color theory, and implementing effective information architecture.

• Visual Asset Creation: Ability to consistently produce high-quality visual assets for user interfaces that meet aesthetic and functional requirements.

• Collaboration & Communication: Highly proficient written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing, with the ability to present complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences and articulate a convincing point of view.

• Adaptability & Agility: Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment, rapidly developing new skills and behaviors in response to changing circumstances.

• Independent Work Ethic: Ability to prioritize tasks, work efficiently, manage time effectively, and complete work with minimal oversight.

• Proactive Self-Development: Demonstrated interest in continuous learning and leveling up personal, interpersonal, and craft skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AI tools and technologies as they evolve within the design and game development landscape.

• Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and their impact on UI/UX implementation.

• Experience with functional animation design for user interactions.

• A strong understanding of market research methodologies and competitive analysis.

• Experience in moderating and analyzing user testing sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of core design craft, strategic thinking, operational efficiency, and adaptability, crucial for success in a live-service game environment. The requirement for experience with at least 3 game titles suggests a need for a broad understanding of different game mechanics and player bases.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3 distinct game titles, detailing your role and contributions to the UX/UI design process for each.

• Process Demonstration: Clearly articulate your design process, including problem definition, research methodologies (user interviews, surveys, competitive analysis), ideation techniques, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing/validation.

• Visual Design Excellence: Present high-quality UI mockups, wireframes, and interactive prototypes that demonstrate a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, information architecture, color theory, and thematic consistency.

• Interaction Design: Include examples of functional animations or micro-interactions that enhance the user experience and game feel.

• Technical Feasibility: Evidence of collaboration with engineers or technical artists to ensure designs are implementable within game engines.

• Impact & Results: Quantify the impact of your design decisions where possible, using metrics related to player engagement, retention, conversion rates, or usability improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Showcase examples of user flow diagrams and wireframes that illustrate logical navigation and task completion paths within a game.

• System Integration: Demonstrate an understanding of how UI/UX elements integrate with game systems and backend logic, particularly for live-service games.

• Performance Analysis: Include examples of how you used user feedback, analytics, or heuristic evaluations to analyze and improve existing game features or interfaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, serving as tangible proof of design craft, process adherence, and the ability to deliver engaging experiences in a game development context. The emphasis on live-service games implies a need to showcase iterative design and optimization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior UX Designer in Austin, TX, with 5+ years of experience in game development, the estimated annual salary range is typically between $110,000 and $150,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major tech hubs, considering the specialized nature of game design and the seniority of the position. Factors such as specific skills, portfolio strength, and candidate experience can influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• World-Class Benefits Package: Zynga offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and needs of its employees. This typically includes:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
  • Life and Disability Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Opportunities for professional development and training
  • Potential for performance-based bonuses or stock options.

• Employee Perks: Access to Zynga's game portfolio, potential for on-site amenities (depending on office setup), and involvement in company-wide events.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. While standard business hours are expected, the role may require flexibility to meet project deadlines, participate in cross-functional meetings across different time zones, and respond to urgent issues that may arise in a live-service game environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on general market data for Austin, TX, and the specified experience level in the gaming industry. Zynga's stated "world-class benefits package" suggests a competitive offering.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Video Games. Zynga operates within a dynamic and competitive global gaming market, known for its social and mobile-first approach to game development. As a label of Take-Two Interactive, it benefits from a larger corporate structure while maintaining its distinct identity.

Company Size: Zynga is a large organization, employing thousands of people globally. This size offers opportunities for diverse career paths, access to extensive resources, and the chance to work on games with massive player bases. For operations professionals, it means navigating established processes and potentially contributing to large-scale system improvements.

Founded: Founded in 2007, Zynga has a significant history in the social and mobile gaming space, evolving from early social network games to a diverse portfolio of mobile-first titles. This longevity indicates a stable company with experience in adapting to market shifts and technological advancements.

Team Structure: The Senior UX Designer will be part of the Zynga Poker team. This team likely comprises product managers, other UX/UI designers, game designers, artists, engineers, and user researchers. The structure will involve close collaboration within the Poker vertical, with potential for interaction with broader design or product groups across Zynga. Reporting is likely to a Design Lead or Director.

Methodology: Zynga emphasizes a data-driven and player-centric approach to game development. This involves:

• Agile Development: Iterative development cycles with regular feedback loops.

• Data Analysis: Utilizing player data and analytics to inform design decisions and optimize game performance.

• User Research: Conducting various forms of user testing and research to understand player behavior and preferences.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong emphasis on teamwork and communication between different disciplines.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Zynga's culture is geared towards innovation in play, with a strong emphasis on data and player feedback. For operations roles, this translates to a need for adaptability, analytical skills, and a collaborative spirit within a large, established gaming company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role. It signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and the ability to influence design direction. A Senior UX Designer is expected to mentor junior team members, lead design initiatives, and contribute strategically to product goals. In an operations context, this means not just executing tasks but also optimizing processes and contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the design function.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UX Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Director of Design, or a Product Lead within the Zynga Poker team. This reporting structure provides guidance and oversight while allowing for significant independence in day-to-day design work.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the player experience of Zynga Poker, one of Zynga's flagship titles. By enhancing clarity, trust, and delight, the Senior UX Designer contributes to key operational metrics such as player engagement, retention, session length, and monetization. Effective UX/UI design is a critical driver of revenue and long-term player loyalty in the competitive gaming industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership in Design: Opportunity to lead design efforts for major features or even new game initiatives within the Zynga Poker vertical.

• Mentorship: Serve as a mentor to junior UX/UI designers, developing leadership and coaching skills.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of game UX/UI design, such as live-ops optimization, monetization design, or player onboarding.

• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Gain deeper insights into game design, product management, and engineering through close collaboration.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into Lead Designer, Design Manager, or Product Management roles within Zynga or Take-Two Interactive.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within the specialized field of game design operations, emphasizing both individual contribution and potential leadership development. The impact on a major live-service game provides significant visibility and opportunity.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Zynga operates a hybrid work model. This means employees are expected to work from a designated Zynga office location for a portion of the week, with the flexibility to work remotely for the remainder. This setup aims to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration and team cohesion with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Austin, TX. Zynga has offices in various global locations, but this specific position is tied to the Austin hub. The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and team building.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are likely equipped with meeting rooms, brainstorming areas, and open-plan workspaces designed to encourage interaction and idea sharing among team members.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software, hardware, and internal tools necessary for effective UX/UI design and collaboration.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities to connect with colleagues through formal meetings, design critiques, and informal interactions, fostering a strong sense of team and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, typically aligning with business hours. However, the hybrid model allows for some flexibility in managing work hours and location. Occasional extended hours may be necessary to meet critical project milestones or address urgent issues in a live-service game environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in Austin suggests a modern work environment that values both in-person collaboration and employee flexibility, with a focus on creating a productive and engaging workspace for creative professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter will review your application and resume, focusing on relevant experience and qualifications.

• Portfolio Review & Initial Interview: If shortlisted, you will likely have an interview with a hiring manager or senior designer. This stage will heavily involve a review of your portfolio, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and impact on past projects. Be prepared to walk through 1-2 key case studies in detail.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: You may be given a design exercise or case study to complete, either take-home or during a dedicated session. This will assess your ability to apply your design skills to a specific problem relevant to Zynga Poker.

• Team Interviews: Interviews with other members of the Zynga Poker team, including designers, product managers, and engineers. These interviews will assess your technical skills, collaborative abilities, cultural fit, and how you approach problem-solving within a team context.

• Final Interview: Potentially an interview with a senior leader (e.g., Director of Design, VP of Product) to discuss your strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with Zynga's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects, prioritizing those most relevant to game design, live-service games, or complex user experiences.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, your process, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the outcomes (quantified if possible). Use visuals effectively to illustrate your points.

• Demonstrate Process: Show your thinking – from initial sketches and wireframes to high-fidelity mockups and prototypes. Explain why you made certain design decisions.

• Highlight Impact: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the positive impact of your designs on user behavior or business goals.

• Tailor to Zynga Poker: If possible, include a project that shows understanding of social, competitive, or casino-style games, or demonstrate how you'd approach a problem specific to poker.

• Be Prepared to Discuss: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your choices, your process, and how you handle feedback and collaboration.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Game: Familiarize yourself with Zynga Poker – its core mechanics, target audience, key features, and competitive landscape.

• Focus on Player Experience: For any design challenge, always prioritize the player's experience, fun, and engagement. Consider clarity, ease of use, and the overall delight factor.

• Structure Your Approach: For a design exercise, outline your steps: understand the brief, research, define goals, brainstorm solutions, create wireframes/prototypes, and articulate how you would test/validate.

• Practice Articulation: Be ready to clearly explain your design rationale and defend your choices. Practice presenting your ideas concisely and persuasively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is robust and designed to assess a candidate's entire skillset, from core design craft to strategic thinking and collaborative ability. A strong, well-documented portfolio is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• Visual Design: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for asset creation and manipulation.

• Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams for project management, communication, and documentation.

• Game Engine Integration Awareness: While not necessarily direct users, familiarity with the principles of how designs are implemented in engines like Unity or Unreal Engine is beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• In-game Analytics Platforms: Experience with tools like GameAnalytics, DeltaDNA, or Zynga's internal analytics solutions to understand player behavior and game performance.

• Data Visualization Tools: Familiarity with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for analyzing and presenting data insights.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not a primary focus for UX, understanding how player data is managed in CRM-like systems can be advantageous for context.

• Automation Tools: Awareness of how automation might be used in design workflows or game systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design and collaboration tools is expected. An understanding of game-specific analytics and how designs integrate with game engines is a significant advantage for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving the needs and desires of millions of players worldwide.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging analytics and user research to inform design choices and optimize game performance.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive and communicative environment where cross-functional teams work together effectively.

• Innovation & Playfulness: Encouraging creativity, experimentation, and a passion for creating fun and engaging gaming experiences.

• Continuous Improvement: A dedication to iterating, learning, and refining designs and processes to achieve excellence.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The design team works seamlessly with product management, engineering, art, and marketing to ensure cohesive product development.

• Feedback-Rich Environment: Openness to constructive criticism and diverse perspectives through regular design critiques and reviews.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across the team and the broader design community within Zynga.

• Agile and Iterative: Embracing flexible workflows that allow for rapid iteration and adaptation based on feedback and performance data.

📝 Enhancement Note: Zynga's culture emphasizes a blend of data-informed strategy, player focus, and creative collaboration, essential for success in the fast-paced gaming industry. Operations professionals will find a culture that values efficiency, continuous learning, and tangible results.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Player Needs: Juggling the diverse needs and expectations of a massive, global player base with varying skill levels and preferences.

• Live-Ops Complexity: Designing for a live-service game requires constant iteration, optimization, and responsiveness to player feedback and market trends, often under tight deadlines.

• Technical Constraints: Working within the technical limitations and possibilities of the game engine and platform to deliver innovative designs.

• Maintaining Engagement: Continuously finding new ways to keep players engaged and delighted in a competitive market with numerous entertainment options.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Skills: Opportunities to refine expertise in areas like player psychology, monetization design, live-ops UX, and cross-platform design.

• Industry Exposure: Access to industry conferences, webinars, and internal learning sessions to stay ahead of design trends and technologies.

• Mentorship Programs: Participate in mentorship programs, either as a mentee to gain guidance from senior leaders or as a mentor to develop leadership skills.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain a deeper understanding of game design, product strategy, and engineering through close collaboration on game development projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to scale, live-service operations, and player engagement, but these are balanced by ample opportunities for professional growth and skill development within a leading gaming company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for designing a new feature for a live-service game like Zynga Poker. How do you balance player feedback, business goals, and technical constraints?"

• "How would you approach improving player retention for a game that has been live for several years? What metrics would you track, and what design changes might you consider?"

• "Walk me through a time you had to make a difficult design decision that was met with resistance. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX/UI trends, especially within the gaming industry, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Zynga and specifically the Zynga Poker team?"

• "How do you ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible to a diverse global audience?"

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment. How do you maintain strong collaboration and communication?"

• "How do you measure the success of your design work, and what KPIs are most important to you in a game design context?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the "Why": Clearly articulate the problem statement and business objective for each project.

• Focus on Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially if it was a team effort. Use "I" when referring to your individual actions and "we" for team accomplishments.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, user flows) extensively to illustrate your process and final designs.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present data or metrics that demonstrate the positive results of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, reduced friction).

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, trade-offs made, and how you incorporated feedback. Practice explaining your rationale clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions will involve reflecting on past projects, understanding Zynga's business context, and articulating your design philosophy and operational approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Zynga careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and prominently features projects demonstrating your expertise in UX/UI design for games, ideally live-service or social casino titles. Tailor your project selection to highlight relevant skills and experience.

• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to highlight key achievements, quantifiable results, and experience with the specific tools and methodologies mentioned in the job description. Use keywords relevant to UX/UI design, game development, and operations.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and prepare for potential design challenges.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Zynga, its game portfolio (especially Zynga Poker), its mission, and its company culture. Understand its position in the gaming industry and how your role contributes to its operational success.

⚠️ 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.