UX Designer - New Geolocation-Based Mobile Game

About the role

The Scopely Explore team creates mobile experiences that encourage movement and social interaction in the real world. You will design user experiences for live, location-based game environments where every interaction matters. This role focuses on ensuring player needs remain the absolute priority throughout the entire development lifecycle. You will own the end-to-end design process for new player-facing features from initial concept to final execution. The position requires close collaboration with product, engineering, and research to translate complex ideas into intuitive interactions. You will be responsible for creating clear design specifications that guide engineering implementation accurately. Success in this role depends on your ability to validate concepts through prototypes and iterate based on player feedback. Your work will directly shape how millions of players move, play, and connect in physical spaces.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the end-to-end design process for player-facing game features, managing each stage with precision.
• Create wireframes, user flows, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize concepts and validate ideas early.
• Document detailed design specifications to ensure clarity and consistency during implementation.
• Present design intent to internal and external partners to secure alignment and shared understanding.
• Participate actively in team brainstorming sessions and long-term feature planning discussions.
• Work seamlessly alongside engineers, artists, product managers, and researchers to integrate diverse perspectives.
• Attend the office in person every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to foster strong team collaboration.
• Apply strong visual design principles to ensure interfaces are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• Utilize advanced prototyping skills to test interactions and refine user experiences before development.
• Employ rigorous wireframing techniques to map out user journeys and identify potential pain points early.

Requirements

• Bring a minimum of 3 years of professional experience in UX or UI design within a demanding environment.
• Maintain a portfolio that prominently features interaction design work specifically for mobile applications.
• Demonstrate concrete experience working on mobile application or game development projects in the past.
• Show exceptional proficiency in designing user flows and wireframes that communicate complex systems simply.
• Prove your ability to produce sketches and prototypes quickly for effective design validation with stakeholders.
• Achieve fluency in Japanese, both verbal and written, to communicate effectively with local teams and players.
• Adhere to strict deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards in a fast-moving project environment.
• Collaborate effectively in hybrid work settings, balancing independent work with in-person teamwork requirements.
• Commit to a schedule that requires consistent in-office presence to support team cohesion and project goals.

Nice to have

• Demonstrate proficiency in English to facilitate smoother collaboration with global team members.
• Exhibit adaptability to fast-paced environments and solve practical problems with creative urgency.
• Build a history of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams in both remote and in-person contexts.
• Apply experience from previous geolocation or location-based technology projects to accelerate initial design phases.
• Contribute insights gained from working in gaming or entertainment industries to enhance player engagement.
• Show an eagerness to mentor junior designers and share expertise to strengthen the overall team capability.

Practical notes

• This role mandates physical presence in the Tokyo office three days per week, specifically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
• Scopely does not request any payment from candidates at any stage of the hiring process.
• Verify that all incoming communications originate from a legitimate scopely.com email address to ensure authenticity.
• The selected candidate must comply with all local regulations and company policies regarding in-office work arrangements.
• Travel requirements are limited to the designated office location in Tokyo for the duration of employment.
• Visa sponsorship information will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process if applicable.
• Candidates must be available to start within a reasonable timeframe as determined by the hiring team.
• The successful applicant will be expected to integrate fully into the team culture and contribute to a positive work environment.
• This position operates on a standard full-time schedule, aligning with the core business hours of the Tokyo office.
• All onboarding procedures and necessary documentation must be completed promptly upon acceptance of the offer.