Principal UX Designer

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

Role Overview:

We’re seeking a passionate and creative UX designer to join our Firesprite studio to work on creating and evolving a AAA user experience for a story-driven 'Narrative Adventure' with genre defining goals.

This is an ambitious, AAA project with a heavy focus on atmosphere, storytelling, player agency and immersion into ground-breaking territory on next-generation hardware technologies.

Our ideal candidate will be instrumental in crafting intuitive, engaging and accessible user experiences across all aspects of the title and will work closely with our game design, UI art, code and accessibility teams to ensure our game is engaging, fun and simple to navigate and interact with.

As a Principal, you will be the key knowledge repository for this area and will be expected to represent the UX systems across all gameplay, cinematic and narrative areas.

Ideally, we would love individuals to be based in the studio for 1-3 days per week, but we may consider those who have a preference for remote working in the UK.

What you'll be doing:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (game design, art, engineering) to define and implement innovative UX solutions.
• Build wireframes, user flows, prototypes, and interaction design for in-game UI systems (menus, HUDs, codices, tutorials, etc.).
• Assist closely with user research, accessibility and usability testing to gather feedback and refine the user research and ensure results are integrated into design decisions.
• Analyse data and player behaviour to identify friction points and opportunities for improvement.
• Document and communicate design solutions clearly across teams.
• Stay current with UX trends in games and related fields to push creative boundaries.

What we're looking for:

• An experienced Principal UX Designer or a Senior looking to take that next step.
• A designer with a solid understanding of player psychology and user-centred design principles.
• A great working knowledge of Unreal engine or equivalent engine experience.
• Someone who is keen to put the user experience first.
• A willingness to blend cinematography and good user experience into one core value set.
• An outstanding team collaborator and someone who can take the initiative in problem solving for the team.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of Unreal 5 blueprints and other Unreal tools.
• Proficiency with design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Axure.)
• Curious about accessibility design and inclusive UX practices.
• Experience in crafting narrative experiences through cinematic and gameplay blending.

Benefits:

• Discretionary bonus opportunity
• Hybrid Working (within Flexmodes)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• 25 days holiday per year
• Access to cycle garage and showers

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. 

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.