Responsibilities:

Welcome to Lightspeed LA, the first U.S.-based, AAA game development studio for Tencent Games. Lightspeed LA is focused on building open-world games that emphasize an ambitious living world, sophisticated player-driven gameplay, and mature, thoughtful storytelling. We are developing the first in a series of genre-defining titles.

Why join Lightspeed LA?

For us, it’s not only about the exciting, new AAA open world game we’re developing but also about team values and studio culture. We foster an open and transparent environment where everyone feels comfortable providing constructive feedback about all aspects of our games.

• We encourage the showing of work that’s still in progress.
• We don’t attack or question unfinished work, we celebrate its promise.
• We have a No Blame Culture where we blame the problem, not the person.

This is a safe place to fail, and we don't view failure as a negative, but as the natural result of pushing boundaries and trying new things. We create together. We face Challenges Together. We succeed together.

About this position at Lightspeed LA

As a UX/UI Designer, you will collaborate closely with leaderships from art and design to set the direction of our user experience. You will own the execution and quality of UI and UX for our upcoming open-world game. You will work with various disciplines to prototype HUD and interfaces that would feel cohesive with our game world and frictionless to use. You will also partner with a UX/UI team at our partner studio to create the lion’s share of UX/UI features and contents.

Responsibilities:

Champion of UX/UI:

• Holder of UX/UI vision and vanguard of quality.
• Create and maintain documents and specs that would drive UX/UI concepts from inception to ship.
• Guide and moderate UX/UI discussions with stakeholders and shepherd the team toward our vision.

Managing Remote Team:

• Act as the primary point of contact for the remote partner team, providing guidance, feedback, and collaborating effectively to ensure the successful implementation of UX/UI features and contents.
• Facilitate communication between teams in different time zones, ensuring that everyone has access to the information and resources they need to perform their tasks effectively. Use various communication tools to bridge geographical gaps.

UX/UI Design:

• Design intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces for menus, HUD elements, maps, inventory systems, and other in-game screens.
• Develop user flows and information architectures to ensure a seamless navigation experience within the open-world environment.

Wireframing and Prototyping:

• Create wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize and test UX/UI concepts.
• Skillful at prototyping UI elements with dynamic animations and transitions.

Integration and Collaboration:

• Work closely with the engineering team to implement UI elements within the game engine.
• Collaborate with artists to ensure visual consistency and alignment with the game's overall aesthetic.

User Research and Analysis:

• Conduct user research to understand player behavior, preferences, and needs.
• Analyze player feedback, conduct playtesting sessions, and incorporate insights into design iterations.

Accessibility and Inclusivity:

• Design and prototype UX/UI solutions that cater to a diverse player base and uphold accessibility as a tenet of our design process.

Stay Updated with Industry Trends:

• Keep abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in UX/UI design, and incorporate relevant insights into your work.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in UX/UI Design, Graphic Design, Interaction Design, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in UX/UI design for video games, with a portfolio showcasing relevant work.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, or similar.
• Familiarity with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and UI implementation processes.
• Strong understanding of player psychology, behavior, and preferences.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in designing UX/UI for open-world genre games.
• Knowledge of 3D modeling and texturing tools (e.g., Blender, Maya, Substance Painter).

Perks and Benefits:

Just some of the benefits of working with us here at our newly built studio in Irvine, CA.

● Free daily lunch

● Beverages, fresh fruit, and snacks

● 401k with employer match

● Monthly Cell phone bill reimbursement

● Financial wellness sessions

● Flexible spending account

● Team building and company outings

● Parental leave for new parents

● Company paid health insurance

● Life and disability insurance

● Employee assistance program

● Wellness training

● Travel insurance

● Preventive care

Join us at Lightspeed LA to shape the future of multiplayer gaming and create memorable experiences that bring players together in exciting virtual worlds. We offer a creative and collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to leave your mark on the industry.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, portfolio, and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and why they are excited about this opportunity.

 

Location State(s)

California

 

The base pay range for this position in the state(s) above is $121,120 to $222,220 per year. Actual pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A sign on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, as well as other medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the specific position offered.