UX Design Director | North America | Canada | Europe | Fully Remote

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Design Director | North America | Canada | Europe | Fully Remote

Company: Escape Velocity Entertainment Inc

Location: United States (Fully Remote)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: UX Design / Game Development Operations

Date Posted: April 28, 2026

Experience Level: Senior to Director Level (Implied 5-10+ years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the definition and execution of player experience for a AAA, cross-platform competitive title, with a strategic focus on Live Service and Meta Systems.

• Drive high-level UX vision and strategy, while also contributing hands-on to the design process, including user flows, wireframes, and prototypes.

• Build, mentor, and lead a team of UX Designers, fostering a culture of innovation and high-quality output within the operations and design functions.

• Collaborate extensively with Product, Production, Design, Engineering, and Art to ensure seamless integration of UX principles with feature goals and overall game direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Director level, indicating significant leadership responsibilities and strategic input beyond individual design contributions. The emphasis on "Live Service and Meta Systems" points towards a deep involvement in ongoing player engagement and monetization strategies, requiring a strong understanding of player lifecycle management and retention operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion the overarching UX vision for critical game areas, with a specialized emphasis on Live Service mechanics, in-game economies, and meta-game progression systems.

• Translate strategic player experience goals into tangible UX deliverables, including detailed user flows, intuitive wireframes, interactive prototypes, and comprehensive design documentation.

• Develop and implement scalable UX frameworks and design patterns specifically tailored for the unique demands of live service games, including event systems, content updates, and player rewards.

• Act as a key liaison between UX Design and Product Management/Game Design, ensuring that user experience initiatives are tightly aligned with core game mechanics, player needs, and business objectives.

• Foster robust cross-functional partnerships with Production, Engineering, Art, and QA teams to guarantee the successful implementation of high-fidelity, engaging, and technically sound player experiences.

• Maintain consistency and coherence across all player-facing systems, including navigation, information architecture, UI elements, and interaction design, ensuring a unified and intuitive player journey.

• Establish and enforce UX design principles, industry best practices, and quality standards to guide the development and iterative refinement of game features.

• Actively contribute to the recruitment, growth, and day-to-day leadership of the UX design team, overseeing their areas of ownership and ensuring alignment with project milestones.

• Champion a data-informed approach to UX design, leveraging player analytics, usability testing results, and live game performance metrics to drive continuous improvement and optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on strategic leadership and hands-on design execution. The emphasis on "scalable UX frameworks" and "Live Service features" indicates a need for robust, repeatable design processes and an understanding of long-term player engagement strategies, which are critical in modern game operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, Computer Science, or a related field is often preferred for Director-level UX roles. Equivalent practical experience will also be heavily considered.

Experience: Significant experience in UX design specifically within the gaming industry, with a proven track record of leading complex projects from conception through live operations. A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience is anticipated for a Director role.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in UX design for games, with a strong portfolio showcasing work on systems, live service operations, or engaging player-facing experiences.

• Proven ability to conceptualize, articulate, and deliver a compelling UX vision that aligns with product strategy and player needs.

• Hands-on proficiency in core UX design craft, including the creation of user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and detailed design specifications.

• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, with extensive experience working effectively across Product, Game Design, Engineering, Art, and Production disciplines.

• Deep understanding of designing for complex game systems, such as player progression, in-game economies, storefronts, social features, and live content delivery.

• Strong grasp of player psychology, human-computer interaction principles, and effective engagement pattern design.

• Experience in leading, mentoring, or managing UX designers, with a documented history of elevating team performance and design quality.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting complex ideas clearly to diverse stakeholders.

• Proficiency with industry-standard UX design and prototyping tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator), Sketch, or similar platforms.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with cross-platform game development, understanding the unique UX challenges and opportunities across PC, console, and mobile.

• Familiarity with game analytics platforms and data visualization tools for UX performance tracking.

• Experience in A/B testing and experimentation for optimizing player engagement and conversion rates within live services.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices in game design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Significant experience in UX design for games" and "Proven ability to define and deliver UX vision" for a AAA title strongly suggest that candidates should be prepared to showcase complex system design and leadership experience. The mention of "Live Service and Meta Systems" implies a need for candidates who understand player lifecycle management and long-term retention strategies, which are key operational components of successful live games.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear process for defining UX vision and strategy for complex game systems, supported by examples of strategic documentation or frameworks.

• Showcase a strong understanding of information architecture and user flow design, with examples illustrating how complex player journeys were simplified and optimized.

• Present case studies that highlight hands-on UX design work, including wireframes, prototypes, and final UI assets, with a clear explanation of design decisions.

• Include examples of how player data, usability feedback, or live game performance metrics were used to iterate on and improve UX designs, demonstrating a commitment to data-driven optimization.

Process Documentation:

• Illustrate your process for translating high-level game design goals into detailed UX requirements and design specifications.

• Provide examples of how you have established and maintained UX principles and best practices within a development team.

• Showcase your approach to collaborating with engineering and art teams to ensure the fidelity and quality of the final user experience.

• Document your methods for conducting or leveraging usability testing and player feedback to inform design iterations and system improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level UX role, the portfolio should not only showcase design execution but also strategic thinking, leadership, and a deep understanding of the iterative design process within a live service context. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their role in shaping team processes and driving design quality across multiple projects or features.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Director title, fully remote status in North America/Europe, and the AAA game development context, the estimated salary range for a UX Design Director in the United States (as specified for the role) would typically fall between $170,000 - $250,000 USD annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior leadership roles in game development, considering the high demand for specialized UX talent in the AAA space and the fully remote nature of the position, which can influence compensation bands.

Benefits:

• A generous Paid Time Off (PTO) allowance, allowing for work-life balance and personal time.

• Studio closure during Summer and Winter holidays, providing additional dedicated time off separate from PTO.

• Comprehensive Private Medical & Dental Healthcare coverage for employees and potentially dependents.

• Dedicated Private Mental Health scheme to support employee well-being.

• A generous annual Health & Wellbeing allowance to encourage healthy lifestyles and self-care.

• Discretionary Studio Bonus, offering potential performance-based financial rewards.

• Provision of top-range technology for home office setups, ensuring a productive and well-equipped remote workspace.

• Other region-specific benefits tailored to the employee's location, acknowledging diverse needs and compliance requirements.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. However, the company emphasizes autonomy and a focus on output rather than strict time-clocking. Flexibility in scheduling may be available, provided that project deadlines and collaborative needs are met, aligning with the "culture of play" and valuing employee time.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on Director-level UX roles in the US gaming industry, considering remote work and AAA project scope. The benefits listed are comprehensive and reflect a strong commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which are attractive aspects for senior operations and design leaders.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development (specifically focused on AAA, cross-platform competitive titles). The market context for such games involves high player expectations, continuous content updates, and a strong emphasis on player community management and live operations.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the ability to offer comprehensive benefits like private healthcare and a discretionary bonus, alongside a focus on autonomy and a "once-in-a-career project," suggests a well-funded, established studio that is likely mid-sized to large, potentially with multiple teams working on the core title.

Founded: The founding date is not provided, but the description emphasizes a focus on modern development philosophies like autonomy, honesty, and constant improvement, suggesting a studio that is either relatively new with a forward-thinking approach or an established one that has evolved its culture significantly.

Team Structure:

• The UX Design team is expected to be a core component of the game development structure, likely comprising multiple UX Designers reporting to this Director.

• The reporting structure will place this Director likely under a Head of Design, Game Director, or equivalent senior leadership, with direct collaboration across Product Management, Game Design, Production, and Engineering leads.

Methodology:

• Data Analysis & Insights: A strong emphasis on using player data, analytics, and usability feedback to inform design decisions and drive iterative improvements for live services.

• Workflow Planning & Optimization: Developing and refining efficient design workflows that accommodate the iterative nature of game development and live operations, ensuring scalability and quality.

• Automation & Efficiency: While not explicitly stated for UX, the company's overall philosophy suggests an interest in efficient processes, which can translate to leveraging tools and methodologies that streamline design and feedback loops.

Company Website: https://eve.games/ (Derived from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture described is highly progressive, emphasizing autonomy, honesty, and continuous improvement. For a UX Design Director, this means an environment where strategic input is valued, and there's an opportunity to shape both the product's experience and the team's operational processes. The "culture of play" and focus on "worthwhile use of your time" suggest an environment that respects deep work and creative problem-solving.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the UX Design function, equivalent to a Director or Head of UX. It entails significant strategic responsibility for the player experience of a major AAA title, encompassing both team leadership and direct contribution to design outcomes. The scope extends beyond individual design tasks to shaping processes, mentoring talent, and influencing product direction.

Reporting Structure: The UX Design Director will report to a higher-level executive, such as a Game Director, Head of Design, or Chief Product Officer. They will, in turn, lead and mentor a team of UX Designers, potentially including Senior UX Designers or specialized roles depending on the team's growth. Close collaboration with leads from Product Management, Game Design, Engineering, and Production is fundamental.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly influencing player acquisition, engagement, retention, and monetization through the design of intuitive and compelling user experiences. Effective UX is critical for the success of Live Service games, impacting player satisfaction, community sentiment, and ultimately, the long-term viability and financial performance of the title. Decisions made by the UX Design Director will have a direct effect on revenue streams and the overall health of the game's ecosystem.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Opportunity to take on broader responsibilities within the product's overall strategy, potentially influencing more aspects of the game's live operations and player lifecycle management.

• Team and Department Growth: Lead the expansion and specialization of the UX Design team as the game evolves, potentially building out new sub-disciplines or managing larger, more distributed teams.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to shaping industry best practices in AAA game UX, particularly within the live service and competitive gaming space, through internal evangelism and external representation (e.g., conferences, publications).

• Cross-Disciplinary Leadership: Develop expertise in managing and integrating UX with other critical game development disciplines, fostering a more holistic product development approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities highlight the potential for this role to evolve into a more senior executive position within the company or the broader gaming industry. The emphasis on "shaping both the team and its areas of ownership" indicates a clear path for expanding the functional scope and strategic influence of the UX operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a Fully Remote position, meaning there is no central office requirement. The company supports team members working from their preferred locations, fostering a distributed work environment.

Office Location(s): While the role is fully remote, the company explicitly mentions support for team members "nearly anywhere in the world," with specific target regions including North America, Canada, and Europe. This indicates a global approach to talent acquisition, with potential considerations for time zone alignment for core collaborative functions.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite being remote, the company emphasizes building a "culture of play" and strengthening bonds, suggesting initiatives for virtual team building, regular communication, and collaborative design sessions (e.g., via video conferencing and shared digital whiteboards).

• Tools & Technology: Employees are provided with "Top range tech for your home setup," ensuring they have the necessary hardware and software to perform their roles effectively, including high-performance computing for design tasks and reliable communication tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will be primarily through digital channels. This includes regular team meetings, project syncs, design reviews, and potentially asynchronous communication platforms, fostering a sense of connection and shared purpose within the distributed team.

Work Schedule: The company values autonomy and focuses on output over hours clocked. While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, there's an emphasis on flexibility for employees to manage their schedules in a way that maximizes productivity and personal well-being. This allows for adaptation to different time zones and personal routines, as long as project demands and collaborative needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role is a significant aspect of the work environment. Candidates should be comfortable with and proficient in remote collaboration tools and methodologies. The company's emphasis on autonomy and "worthwhile use of your time" suggests a mature and trust-based work culture, which can be highly beneficial for senior operational roles.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Screening: Submit resume/CV. A recruiter will conduct an initial review to assess alignment with core requirements.

• Portfolio Review & Initial Conversation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, focusing on relevant case studies demonstrating experience with complex systems, live services, and leadership. This stage will involve discussions about their design process, strategic thinking, and approach to team leadership.

• Design Challenge/Exercise: A practical exercise may be given to assess hands-on design skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of the game's specific needs. This could involve designing a specific feature flow or addressing a UX problem related to live services.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Game Design, Engineering, and Production to assess collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and cultural fit.

• Leadership/Executive Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision, leadership philosophy, and overall fit with the company's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that directly align with the job description, particularly those involving complex systems, live services, or leadership.

• Showcase Process, Not Just Polish: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process you followed (research, ideation, iteration), the challenges faced, and the final solution. Emphasize how you used data or player feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or qualitative outcomes that demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased player retention, improved conversion rates, positive user feedback). For a Director role, this should include team performance improvements.

• Highlight Leadership: If applicable, include examples of how you mentored designers, influenced team direction, or improved design processes. Explain your leadership philosophy.

• Be Ready to Discuss: Prepare to dive deep into any aspect of your portfolio, explaining your rationale, design decisions, and how you handled constraints or feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a design challenge, thoroughly read and understand the prompt. Consider the specific game genre, target audience, and the emphasis on Live Service and Meta Systems.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process. It's often more important how you arrive at a solution than the final pixel-perfect design. Think about user flows, information architecture, and potential edge cases.

• Communicate Clearly: Practice articulating your ideas concisely and effectively, as you would in a remote meeting. Explain your assumptions and how you would validate your design choices.

• Time Management: Be mindful of any time limits. Prioritize the most critical aspects of the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process described suggests a thorough evaluation of both design craft and leadership capabilities. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their individual design skills but also their strategic thinking, ability to mentor, and capacity to drive UX operations within a complex AAA game development environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Highly probable as the primary tool for wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design, given its industry prevalence. Expect proficiency expected for creating interactive flows and high-fidelity mockups.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): Likely used for asset creation, image manipulation, and potentially detailed UI element design.

• Prototyping Tools: Beyond Figma, other tools like Adobe XD, Sketch (with plugins), or specialized game prototyping tools might be utilized.

• Project Management Software: Tools such as Jira, Asana, or Trello are commonly used for task tracking, workflow management, and team collaboration within game development.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Game Analytics Platforms: Experience with platforms like GameAnalytics, Unity Analytics, Unreal Engine Analytics, or custom in-house solutions for tracking player behavior, engagement metrics, and live service performance.

• Data Visualization Tools: Proficiency in tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for analyzing and presenting player data insights to stakeholders.

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced use of Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation, analysis, and ad-hoc reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly customer-facing in a traditional CRM sense, understanding principles of player lifecycle management, segmentation, and targeted communication (e.g., in-game notifications, event prompts) is relevant. Tools for managing player communities or in-game messaging systems might be in use.

• Collaboration & Communication Tools: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord for real-time communication, team channels, and asynchronous discussions.

• Version Control Systems: Familiarity with systems like Git, especially if integrated into design workflows for asset management or prototyping.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma and Adobe Suite is standard for UX roles. The inclusion of game analytics platforms and data visualization tools is critical, underscoring the data-driven nature of modern game operations and live service management. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they leverage data to inform design decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value focused on understanding and prioritizing player needs, ensuring that all design decisions contribute to a positive and engaging player experience. This translates to rigorous user research and feedback integration.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Emphasis on open communication, honest feedback, and working effectively across disciplines. This supports a healthy environment for iterative design and problem-solving.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Valuing individuals who can take initiative, manage their own workflows, and take ownership of their areas of responsibility, driving efficiency and innovation.

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to constantly re-evaluating processes, designs, and team practices to identify opportunities for enhancement and maintain a high standard of quality and efficiency.

• Passion for Play: A deep-seated enthusiasm for games and the player experience, fostering a shared purpose and driving a desire to create exceptional products.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: A highly integrated approach where UX designers work closely and continuously with Product, Game Design, Engineering, and Production teams from concept to live operations.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Encouraging a culture of regular design reviews, critiques, and feedback sessions, both within the UX team and with external stakeholders, to refine designs and ensure alignment.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting an environment where team members share insights, best practices, and learnings, fostering collective growth and a stronger understanding of player behavior and effective design strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated values like "Autonomy," "Honesty," and "Constant Improvement" are key indicators of the company's operational philosophy. For a UX Design Director, this means an environment that encourages proactive problem-solving, strategic input, and a results-oriented approach to managing design operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing AAA Ambition with Live Service Demands: Ensuring a high-fidelity, polished AAA player experience while also supporting the continuous evolution and operational demands of a live service game requires meticulous planning and adaptable design systems.

• Leading a Distributed Team: Effectively managing, mentoring, and fostering cohesion within a fully remote UX design team presents unique communication and engagement challenges that require strong leadership and virtual collaboration skills.

• Defining and Sustaining UX Vision: Maintaining a consistent and compelling UX vision across a long-term, evolving AAA project, especially with multiple stakeholders and evolving priorities, demands strong strategic leadership and clear communication.

• Integrating Player Data with Creative Vision: Effectively translating complex player analytics and feedback into actionable design improvements without compromising the core creative vision or player experience requires a sophisticated understanding of data-driven design operations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Live Service UX Strategies: Deepen expertise in player retention, engagement loops, monetization design, and event-driven player experiences within a AAA context.

• Leadership & Team Building: Develop advanced skills in managing and scaling design teams, fostering talent, and implementing effective operational processes for distributed creative professionals.

• Cross-Disciplinary Mastery: Gain deeper insights into the intricacies of AAA game development by working closely with Engineering, Product, and Game Design leads, enhancing understanding of technical constraints and product strategy.

• Industry Trends & Innovation: Opportunities to stay at the forefront of UX design trends in gaming, particularly in competitive and live service genres, potentially through conferences, research, and internal innovation initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges identified are common in the AAA live service game development space. Preparing for these by highlighting relevant experience in your application and interviews will demonstrate a strong understanding of the role's complexities and your capacity to navigate them effectively.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and drive the UX vision for a AAA competitive live service game, and what key metrics would you use to measure its success?" (Prepare to discuss your strategic framework, key UX principles, and relevant performance indicators like retention, engagement, and conversion.)

• "Describe your approach to leading and mentoring a remote UX design team. How do you foster collaboration, ensure quality, and manage performance across different time zones?" (Prepare to discuss leadership philosophies, team-building strategies, and remote work best practices.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Escape Velocity Entertainment and this specific project, based on what you know about our values and goals?" (Research the company's website, mission, and stated values. Connect your own professional aspirations and values to theirs.)

• "How do you see your role contributing to our 'culture of play' and our emphasis on autonomy and constant improvement?" (Reflect on how your leadership style and approach to design operations align with these principles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear narrative for each project: Problem -> Your Role/Process -> Solution -> Outcome/Impact.

• Focus on Systems & Live Ops: For this role, highlight projects that demonstrate your ability to design for complex, interconnected systems and the unique demands of live service games.

• Leadership & Collaboration: Integrate examples of your leadership, mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration within your project case studies.

• Data-Informed Decisions: Clearly explain how data, user research, or live game performance informed your design decisions and iterations.

• Concise & Engaging: Be prepared to present your most relevant work concisely, focusing on the strategic impact and your specific contributions. Anticipate questions and be ready to elaborate on any aspect.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to the specific requirements of a UX Design Director role in AAA game development, focusing on strategic thinking, leadership, and hands-on design expertise within a live service context. Candidates should prepare to articulate their process and impact with concrete examples.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Click the "Apply" button on the job posting and complete the application form.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight key terms from the job description, such as "UX Design Director," "AAA," "Live Service," "Meta Systems," "Player Experience," "Team Leadership," "Cross-functional Collaboration," and specific design tools like "Figma." Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., "Improved player retention by X%" or "Led a team of Y designers").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your experience in complex systems, live service design, and leadership. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your process, your solution, and the quantifiable impact. Prepare to walk through these projects verbally.

• Prepare for Remote Collaboration: Familiarize yourself with common remote work tools and practices. Be ready to discuss your experience in virtual team environments and how you maintain productivity and communication remotely.

• Research Escape Velocity: Understand the company's mission, values, and the type of games they aim to create. Connect your own professional philosophy and experience to their stated culture and project goals.

⚠️ 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.