Senior UX Designer – Unpublished R&D Product

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Designer – Unpublished R&D Product

Company: Riot Games

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / User Experience

Date Posted: September 14, 2026

Experience Level: 6+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end UX design for significant player-facing features within an innovative, unpublished R&D product.

• Drive product and feature vision by translating complex player needs and product goals into intuitive, accessible, and engaging digital experiences.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including designers, artists, engineers, and producers to ensure a cohesive and high-quality player experience.

• Contribute to the evolution of UX patterns and design system components to enhance consistency and quality across game experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input data points to a UX Designer role, the focus on R&D and product ownership, combined with the company's gaming industry context, suggests a strong overlap with product operations and GTM strategy alignment. The role requires a deep understanding of player lifecycle management, from acquisition to retention, and how UX decisions directly impact key performance indicators (KPIs) such as engagement, retention, and ultimately, player lifetime value. This role is crucial for the early-stage validation and iterative development of new gaming products, which will eventually feed into broader Go-To-Market strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own the UX design process for key player-facing features and systems, from initial discovery and research through to implementation and ongoing iteration.

• Facilitate the exploration and conceptualization of new UX opportunities, helping teams to clearly define player problems, product goals, and measurable success metrics.

• Develop and effectively communicate UX direction using a variety of design artifacts, including strategy frameworks, research summaries, journey maps, user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, interactive prototypes, and detailed implementation specifications.

• Translate intricate product concepts and player requirements into intuitive interaction and interface designs, grounded in usability best practices and defined project objectives.

• Establish and maintain UX patterns and contribute to design system enhancements, ensuring consistency and elevating the quality of user experiences across the product.

• Partner intimately with engineering, UI, and technical teams during the implementation phase to resolve design challenges, provide support for prototypes, and ensure the delivery of a polished, high-quality final product.

• Conduct and facilitate design reviews, clearly articulating design rationale and influencing cross-functional partners while effectively incorporating feedback from players and development teams.

• Collaborate with user research, playtesting, and analytics teams to plan and execute evaluations, synthesize findings, and leverage data-driven insights to continuously improve the player experience.

• Consider platform-specific and multi-platform requirements when developing solutions that align with and support the product's overarching experience strategy.

• Elevate the overall quality of UX practice within the team by sharing knowledge, modeling exemplary collaboration, and actively supporting the professional growth of fellow designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily emphasize the end-to-end product development lifecycle, which is critical for GTM operations. Owning features from discovery to iteration means this role is directly involved in validating product-market fit and refining user journeys that will form the basis of customer acquisition and retention strategies. The emphasis on defining success measures and using data to improve the player experience aligns with the operational need to track and optimize KPIs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: BA/BS degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Graphic Design, Communication Design, or equivalent practical experience.

Experience: 6+ years of experience as a UX, Interaction, or Product Designer working on digital products or games, or equivalent depth of experience. Proven experience owning end-to-end design for complex features, systems, or products in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in UX design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and a strong understanding of human-computer interaction.

• Proficient in interaction design, with the ability to craft intuitive and efficient user flows and task sequences.

• Skilled in interface design, creating visually appealing and functionally sound user interfaces.

• Advanced proficiency in Figma for design systems, prototyping, design presentations, and communicating detailed implementation intent.

• Demonstrated experience navigating complex, ambiguous problem spaces and creating clarity through design solutions.

• Proven ability to make sound design decisions in collaboration with cross-disciplinary stakeholders.

• Strong aptitude for articulating a compelling UX direction and influencing product, design, engineering, and production partners.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, capable of engaging both design and non-design audiences. Preferred Skills:

• Experience designing for games, social platforms, or live digital services, understanding their unique player engagement loops.

• Familiarity with Unreal Engine or other game development tools to better inform prototyping and implementation.

• Experience with user research methodologies, usability testing, playtesting, and analyzing player feedback to drive design decisions.

• Experience contributing to or leading design systems, interaction patterns, or multiplatform experiences.

• Experience working on distributed or cross-studio teams, understanding asynchronous collaboration challenges.

• Experience mentoring junior designers or contributing to UX craft standards and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are core to product design, but the preferred skills, particularly those related to game design, live services, and analytics, highlight the operational aspects of user retention and engagement. Experience with Unreal Engine and understanding of game development tools can be beneficial for understanding the technical constraints and opportunities that impact product delivery timelines and GTM readiness.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a robust, player-centered design process from problem identification through to shipped or implemented work.

• Case studies demonstrating end-to-end ownership of complex features or systems, highlighting problem definition, ideation, user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI.

• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, art) and how feedback was incorporated.

• Examples of how player needs, usability principles, and project goals informed design decisions.

• Demonstrations of proficiency in Figma, including design system contributions, prototyping capabilities, and clear communication of implementation intent. Process Documentation:

• Examples of how you've defined and communicated UX direction through strategy and alignment frameworks.

• Documentation showcasing your approach to translating complex ideas into intuitive interaction and interface designs.

• Samples of contributions to UX patterns or design system components that have improved consistency and quality.

• Artifacts illustrating collaboration with research, playtest, and analytics partners to synthesize findings and drive iterative improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio requirements are highly relevant to operations roles, particularly in demonstrating a structured approach to problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. For a GTM or Revenue Operations perspective, showcasing how design decisions directly impacted measurable outcomes (e.g., increased engagement, reduced churn, improved conversion rates) will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UX Designers in Sydney, Australia, with 6+ years of experience, the estimated annual salary range is AUD $130,000 - $180,000. This range accounts for the Senior level, specialized R&D product focus, and the competitive tech market in Sydney.

Benefits:

• Open paid time off policy, offering flexibility and promoting work-life balance.

• Paid parental leave for both primary and secondary carers, supporting work-life integration.

• Comprehensive Medical Insurance coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Employee Assistance Program providing confidential support services.

• Wellness fund to support employee health and well-being initiatives.

• Donation matching program for both time and financial contributions to registered charities.

• Robust Learning and Development opportunities to foster professional growth.

• A play fund to broaden and deepen knowledge of players and the community.

• Abundant snacks, including healthy options, to fuel the workday.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. Riot Games emphasizes flexible work schedules to fit individual lifestyles, allowing for adaptability in how work is accomplished, provided core responsibilities and team collaboration needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The estimated salary range is based on publicly available data for similar roles in Sydney, considering the specified experience level and industry. Benefits are detailed as provided in the input, with added context relevant to operations professionals who often value work-life balance and continuous learning opportunities.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Gaming & Entertainment Technology. Riot Games is a leading global developer and publisher of entertainment experiences, with a core focus on player-centric game development. This industry demands continuous innovation, deep player understanding, and a commitment to evolving live services.

Company Size: Large. Riot Games is a significant global entity with multiple studios and thousands of employees worldwide, indicating a structured yet dynamic environment for operations professionals.

Founded: 2006. With a history of successful game launches and ongoing live service management, Riot Games has established a strong foundation in player engagement and community building.

Team Structure:

• The UX team likely operates within a studio or product-specific structure, working closely with game development teams (designers, artists, engineers, producers).

• Reporting to a Senior Design Leader, indicating a clear hierarchy and mentorship opportunities within the design discipline.

• Strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, with designers embedded within product teams to ensure player needs are integrated at every stage of development. Methodology:

• Data-driven design: Leveraging playtesting, user research, and analytics to inform design decisions and product iterations.

• Player-centric approach: All design and development efforts are focused on understanding and delighting players.

• Agile and iterative development: Embracing flexibility and continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle.

• Collaborative problem-solving: Encouraging diverse perspectives and collective decision-making to tackle complex challenges.

Company Website: https://www.riotgames.com/en

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture at Riot Games is heavily player-focused and collaborative. For operations roles, this means a strong emphasis on understanding customer journeys, leveraging data for strategic decisions, and working effectively across diverse teams to ensure product success and player satisfaction. The "R&D Product" aspect implies a forward-thinking environment focused on innovation and experimentation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior level position within the UX Design discipline. As a Senior UX Designer on an R&D product, you are expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, lead design initiatives for significant features, and influence product strategy. This level requires not only strong craft expertise but also the ability to mentor others and contribute to the overall growth of the design practice. This role acts as a critical bridge between early-stage product conception and eventual market launch, requiring strategic thinking that aligns with GTM operations.

Reporting Structure: You will report to a Senior Design Leader who supports the R&D Game Team. This structure provides mentorship and guidance from experienced design leadership while allowing for significant individual contribution and ownership. The collaboration extends across product, engineering, art, and research disciplines.

Operations Impact: As a Senior UX Designer on an R&D product, your impact is foundational. You will be instrumental in defining the core player experience, directly influencing player acquisition, engagement, retention, and overall product-market fit. Your design decisions will shape the initial perception and usability of the product, setting the stage for its future success and the effectiveness of subsequent Go-To-Market operations. Strong UX is a prerequisite for successful marketing and sales efforts.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX design for gaming, such as system design, emergent gameplay experiences, or multi-platform integration.

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead UX Designer or Design Manager role, taking on more strategic oversight and team leadership responsibilities.

• Cross-Disciplinary Growth: Develop a stronger understanding of product management, game design, or technical implementation, potentially leading to hybrid roles or career pivots within the gaming industry.

• Mentorship: Gain experience mentoring junior designers, contributing to their professional development and honing your leadership skills.

• Strategic Influence: Play a key role in shaping the vision and direction of new, innovative products from their inception.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career growth potential here is significant, especially for individuals interested in the intersection of product development and Go-To-Market strategy. The ability to influence product direction from an R&D phase provides a unique opportunity to shape the foundation upon which future revenue and marketing efforts will be built.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Sydney, Australia, and is primarily an on-site position. Riot Games offices are designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and a strong sense of community among employees.

Office Location(s): Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Specific office details would be provided upon further engagement, but Riot's offices are typically well-equipped with amenities to support employee well-being and productivity.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The workspace is designed to encourage interaction, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing among team members, essential for the iterative design process.

• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Figma), potential access to game development tools (Unreal Engine), and other collaborative platforms.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with a diverse group of professionals, including designers, engineers, artists, producers, and researchers, facilitating a holistic approach to product development.

Work Schedule: While the role is full-time, Riot Games emphasizes flexible work schedules. This allows for adaptability in managing personal needs alongside project deadlines, crucial for maintaining work-life balance in a demanding industry. The on-site requirement means core hours will likely be expected for team synchronization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of this role in Sydney emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration for R&D projects. For operations professionals, understanding this dynamic is key to assessing how quickly new products can be iterated upon and prepared for market, impacting launch timelines and operational readiness.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Design Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a take-home design challenge or present a detailed case study from their portfolio, focusing on problem-solving, design process, and rationale. This is a critical step for evaluating UX thinking and presentation skills.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with team members from design, engineering, product management, and potentially art, assessing collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Senior Leadership Interview: Discussion with a Senior Design Leader to evaluate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit with Riot Games' player-first philosophy.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Player-Centricity: Clearly articulate how player needs and insights drove your design decisions. Use specific examples and data where possible.

• Detail Your Process: Walk through your end-to-end design process for 2-3 key projects. Explain your rationale at each stage, from discovery and ideation to prototyping and implementation.

• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with cross-functional teams, managed feedback, and resolved design challenges.

• Figma Proficiency: Provide examples of your Figma work, including design system contributions, complex prototypes, and how you communicated implementation intent.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., improved engagement, user satisfaction scores).

• Tailor to R&D: For this specific role, emphasize your ability to navigate ambiguity and contribute to product vision in an R&D context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a challenge, thoroughly research Riot Games, their existing products, and their player community. Consider the unique demands of an R&D product.

• Focus on Process: Even if the final deliverable is a mockup, emphasize your thought process, research, and iterative approach.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your design decisions and rationale concisely and persuasively. Be prepared to defend your choices.

• Address Ambiguity: Show how you would approach and bring structure to an ambiguous problem space, a key requirement for this R&D role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to rigorously assess not only design craft but also strategic thinking, collaborative abilities, and alignment with Riot's player-centric culture. For operations professionals, this means framing your experience in terms of how your work directly supports business objectives, player lifecycle management, and ultimately, product success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for all aspects of design, from wireframing and prototyping to design systems and detailed implementation specifications. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Prototyping Tools: Likely advanced prototyping within Figma, potentially supplemented by other tools for specific interactive needs.

• Design Systems: Experience contributing to or leveraging established design systems is crucial for ensuring consistency and efficiency.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Research Platforms: Tools for conducting usability studies, user interviews, and gathering qualitative feedback.

• Playtesting Tools/Frameworks: Specific methods or software used for testing game mechanics and player experiences.

• Analytics Platforms: While not explicitly required, familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Amplitude, or in-house analytics solutions for tracking user behavior and engagement metrics is highly beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable: This role focuses on product design rather than CRM or sales/marketing automation tools. However, an understanding of how user data flows from the product into broader customer relationship management or marketing automation systems can be advantageous for a holistic GTM view.

• Project Management Tools: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, or Asana for managing tasks, workflows, and team collaboration is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and design systems indicates a modern, efficient design workflow. For operations roles, understanding how these design artifacts translate into product requirements and eventually into user acquisition and retention strategies is key. Familiarity with analytics and playtesting tools demonstrates an operational mindset focused on data-driven decision-making and iterative improvement.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player First: This is Riot's paramount value. All decisions, from design to development, must prioritize the player experience and long-term player satisfaction. For operations, this translates to understanding player journeys and ensuring all operational processes support player engagement and retention.

• Craftsmanship: A commitment to high-quality execution in all aspects of work, including design, development, and operational processes.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams, valuing different perspectives, and fostering a supportive environment. Operations professionals must be adept at cross-functional communication.

• Courage: Willingness to take risks, challenge the status quo, and innovate, especially within an R&D context. This applies to proposing new operational efficiencies or strategies.

• Fun: Maintaining a positive and enjoyable work environment, recognizing that passion for games is a driving force.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Designers work closely within multidisciplinary product teams, fostering a shared sense of ownership and direct communication.

• Feedback-Oriented: An open culture of giving and receiving constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the dissemination of best practices, learnings, and insights across teams, including between design and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of "Player First" and "Collaboration" are critical for any role at Riot, including operations. Understanding how design decisions align with player satisfaction and how operational processes support this value is essential for success. The emphasis on feedback and knowledge sharing promotes a culture of continuous learning and operational excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working on an unpublished R&D product means dealing with a high degree of uncertainty regarding product direction, features, and target audience. This requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to create structure where none exists.

• Balancing Innovation with Player Needs: Innovating in the R&D space while ensuring the final product is intuitive, accessible, and genuinely meets player expectations.

• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Effectively communicating complex UX concepts and design rationale to diverse teams (engineering, art, production) who may have different priorities and perspectives.

• Defining Success Metrics for New Products: Establishing clear, measurable KPIs for a product that is still in its early stages of development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Game Design: Gain unparalleled insight into the intricacies of game development, player psychology in gaming, and live service operations.

• Strategic Product Influence: Contribute to shaping the vision and core mechanics of a new gaming product from its inception, impacting its potential market success.

• Advanced UX Craft: Hone skills in complex interaction design, system design, and potentially multi-platform experiences within a leading gaming studio.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Opportunities to learn from senior design leaders and potentially mentor junior designers, developing leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in R&D environments and require a proactive, adaptable, and strategic mindset, which are also highly valued in operations. The growth opportunities highlight the potential for significant career development and specialized knowledge acquisition, particularly at the intersection of product design and the gaming industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to define UX direction for a complex or ambiguous product feature. What was your process, and how did you gain alignment with stakeholders?" (Focus on your structured approach, research, and communication.)

• "How do you balance innovative design with established usability principles and player expectations, especially when working on a new concept?" (Highlight your player-centricity and iterative design process.)

• "Walk us through a project where you used player feedback, research, or analytics to significantly influence your design decisions. What was the outcome?" (Emphasize data-driven decision-making and quantifiable impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working on an unpublished R&D product at Riot Games, and how does your design philosophy align with our 'Player First' value?" (Show your passion for gaming and player empathy.)

• "How do you foster collaboration and communicate effectively with engineers, artists, and producers who may have different priorities?" (Provide examples of successful cross-functional teamwork.)

• "How do you approach setting and measuring success for UX initiatives, particularly in an early-stage product development environment?" (Demonstrate your understanding of KPIs and operational impact.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your role, your process, your solutions, and the outcomes. Use a consistent, logical flow.

• Visual Storytelling: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes) to illustrate your design decisions and their impact.

• Highlight Your Process: Clearly articulate why you made certain decisions, referencing player research, usability heuristics, or business goals.

• Demonstrate Figma Mastery: Be prepared to show specific examples of your Figma work, including design system components, complex prototypes, and how you prepare designs for implementation.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics that demonstrate the success of your work. If direct metrics are unavailable, discuss anticipated outcomes or lessons learned.

• Be Ready for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design choices, challenges encountered, and how you would adapt your approach for this specific R&D role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions involves not just showcasing design skills but also demonstrating strategic thinking, operational awareness, and an understanding of how UX directly contributes to product success and business objectives within the gaming industry.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UX Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Riot Games careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate your experience with complex, ambiguous problems, end-to-end design ownership, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Specifically, showcase any work related to new product development, gaming, or live services.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 6+ years of relevant experience, highlighting key skills like Figma proficiency, interaction design, and player-centered approaches. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and rationale for key portfolio projects. Prepare to discuss how you would approach challenges in an R&D environment and how your work aligns with Riot Games' player-first philosophy.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Riot Games, their existing titles, their player community, and their company values. Understand their approach to game development and live services.

⚠️ 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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