Lead UI/UX Designer - Echtra Games

Position Overview

Echtra Games is looking for a Lead User Experience Designer to join our growing team for a new AAA PC and Console ARPG project. We are looking for a user experience design leader who is dedicated to creating exceptional player-focused games. The ideal candidate should possess expertise in UI design, UX design, and UX research. This individual should be data-driven and adept at driving user engagement, optimizing user journeys, and enhancing the overall user experience. They will play a pivotal role in shaping our studio’s user experience strategy and ensuring its successful implementation. We are looking for an enthusiastic self-starter with a proven track record of leading and guiding user experience initiatives from inception to delivery, with a strong focus on player satisfaction and usability.

Echtra Games is a small game studio in San Francisco with a team of veteran game developers and visionary newcomers who work both on-site and remotely. At Echtra, we value diversity and support work-life balance. We also have great benefits, an open vacation policy, and flexible schedules!

Responsibilities:

Design

• Lead the UX/UI team in collaboration with the product and design teams to ideate, define, and develop features that yield world-class experiences for our players
• Synthesize the needs of players and all game disciplines to identify problems and then research, analyze, design, execute and validate solutions
• Create user flows, interface wireframes, prototypes, and design documentation

Art

• Create UI design/layouts
• Develop mood boards and help guide the visual design of features
• Collaborate with the art team to define/adhere to a thematic art style

Research & Testing

• Participate in the planning and moderating of user testing
• Conduct competitive research and deconstructs
• Participate in user research, developing personas, and analyzing data

Leadership

• Be responsible for the management and career development of other UI/UX staff
• Set examples, guidelines, and best practices in UI/UX for others in your game team
• Lead and participate in company-wide UI/UX community events, critiques, product reviews, and feature retrospectives
• Collaborate with UI/UX staff from other game teams to share learnings and develop best practices across the organization
• Present your team’s UI/UX work in team meetings

Requirements & Competencies

Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in HCI, Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, or related area; a combination of education and experience may substitute for a Bachelor's degree
• 6+ years of experience in the game development industry specializing in UX
• Experience on 3+ different game titles
• At least 1 year of experience in a leadership role

General

• Ability to prioritize tasks, work efficiently, manage time effectively, and deliver work with minimal oversight
• Demonstrate proactive self-development with interest in leveling up personal, interpersonal, and craft skills
• Find opportunities to mentor, share your knowledge, insight, and experiences with others

Communications

• Highly competent written and verbal communication skills, including technical writing
• Ability to co-work and communicate with multiple studio locations, teams, and partners
• Able to collaborate with proactive communication and a willingness to build consensus with competing perspectives

UX Design

• Seasoned authority on the UX Design process: Defining usability challenges, researching the problem space, analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, designing appropriate solutions, and validating ideas through testing
• Experienced in designing for games, specifically supporting fun and engagement
• An accomplished expert with prototyping design software (Figma, Sketch, or similar tools) and the prototype development process
• An accomplished expert in user interface layout design, hierarchy, color theory, and information architecture

UI Art

• A veteran in defining and establishing a visual style and building upon it
• Can consistently produce world-class, high-quality visual assets for user interfaces
• Highly skilled with standard creative software such as the Adobe Creative Suite
• An accomplished expert with UI layout & design tools (Figma, Sketch, or similar tools)
• Familiarity with collaborative virtual environments (Miro, FigJam)

Technical UI Development

• Deep working knowledge of industry standard game engines (Unity, Unreal, or equivalent; Unreal preferred)
• Highly engaged and experienced in collaborating and partnering with technical team members such as Tech Art and Engineering
• An experienced veteran that fully understands the limitations and best practices of developing games for PC and Console platforms

Pluses

• Familiarity with ARPG UI and UX
• Experience developing UI and UX for a wide range of screen sizes and resolutions

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary, bonus plan and ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
• 401K Company Match Contribution (US)
• RRSP/DPSP company match contribution (Canada)
• Health coverage, dental, disability, critical illness, EAP, and life insurance (Canada)
• Medical, dental, vision, EAP, life insurance, and disability benefits (US)
• Virtual mental health and neurodiversity support programs
• Global Fitness reimbursement program
• Global Wellbeing Program
• Financial wellness program with unlimited access to certified financial planners
• Discretionary Time Off policy for many employees
• Family planning support program
• Generous paid parental, pregnancy-related disability, caregiver, and compassionate leaves
• Subsidized Back-up child care
• Zynga happy hours and frequent employee events
• Flexible working hours on many teams
• Culture of diversity and inclusion including employee resource groups
• Work with cool people and impact millions of daily players

We are an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to building a diverse and talented workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome job-seekers, players, employees, and partners from all backgrounds to join us!

We will consider all qualified job-seekers with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities in order to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at AccommodationRequest@zynga.com to request an accommodation associated with your application for an open position.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $114,400 and $169,300 per year.

However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual

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