Principal Designer in Cambridge

Principal Designer in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Frontier Developments plc.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead game design projects and create immersive gaming experiences.
  • Company: Join Frontier, a leading independent video game developer in Cambridge.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, wellbeing initiatives, and relocation support.
  • Other info: Dynamic studio culture focused on creativity and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of gaming with a passionate team and innovative projects.
  • Qualifications: Senior game design experience and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality.

Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds.

The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK).

The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.

This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio).

We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.

WHAT'S THE ROLE?

Wearelooking fora Principal Game Designerto joinour Designteam.

In this role, you will either act as the lead designer on a project, or support project leadership.

You will be responsible for driving the game vision and translating it into compelling, high-quality game experiences.

Principal Designers at Frontier are experts at their craft and manage major feature areas on a project, mentor and inspire the wider design team, and create exemplar design work.

  • WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
  • Taking ownership of design for major feature areas, or where required leading design across the entire project.
  • Working with the Game Director to deliver on the game’s vision.
  • Providing line‑management for design team members, developing their careers, and making the most of their capabilities.
  • Managing project risks, and identifying blockers and inefficiencies.
  • Driving quality using playtests, player feedback, QA reporting, and your own insights.
  • Designing game features, creating in‑game content and balancing game systems.
  • Collaborating closely with other development disciplines to build understanding and gain alignment throughout development.
  • Managing game design documentation & communication across the team.
  • Working with Production to ensure effective feature prioritisation and work scheduling.
  • WHAT YOU'LL BRING
  • Deep game knowledge across a range of genres, especially management and simulation games.
  • Commercial game design experience in a senior role.
  • Experience of designing and delivering major game features.
  • Experience of managing and motivating teams.
  • Strong understanding of player psychology.
  • Excellent presentation skills, and experience in presenting your ideas to stakeholders both within and outside the project.
  • Knowledge of a variety of game design theories and methods.
  • Ability to clearly communicate your ideas across a variety of media.
  • BONUS IF YOU HAVE
  • Experience working on management games.
  • Knowledge of UX/UI design principles.
  • Experience of supporting and growing live games.
  • WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment.

We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.

Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people.

We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in‑house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.

We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential.

If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.

  • For queries, please email: recruitment@frontier. co. uk
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Principal Designer in Cambridge employer: Frontier Developments plc.

Frontier is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of Cambridge's technology hub. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we provide a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible working hours, competitive salaries, and extensive support for personal and professional growth. Join our talented team to contribute to innovative gaming experiences while enjoying a healthy work/life balance and opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.

Frontier Developments plc.

Contact Details:

Frontier Developments plc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Designer in Cambridge

Show Off Your Portfolio

In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.

Get Involved in Design Communities

Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.

Tailor Your Applications

When you find a role that excites you, like the one at Frontier Developments plc. for a Principal Designer, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!

Leverage Social Media

Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like Frontier Developments plc. before they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Designer in Cambridge

Game Design
Project Leadership
Team Management
Player Psychology
Game Feature Design
Collaboration
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Principal Designer at Frontier Developments plc., make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!

Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work Frontier Developments plc. does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to Frontier Developments plc.. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.

Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at Frontier Developments plc..

How to prepare for a job interview at Frontier Developments plc.

Show Off Your Portfolio

When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with Frontier Developments plc., be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.

Prepare for Design Challenges

Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. Frontier Developments plc. might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!

Know the Tools of the Trade

Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at Frontier Developments plc.!

Show Passion for User Experience

In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what Frontier Developments plc. is looking for.