Senior UI/UX Designer - VR Shooter Game - Melbourne

Founded in 2017 and located in Footscray, Victoria, LODE is passionate about immersive Media. We’re the studio behind the stealth-action ‘Espire’ IP. Since 2019, we’ve shipped three Espire titles across all major XR platforms. Our mission is to be at the forefront of immersive technology, crafting never-before-seen mechanics that entertain players in unforgettable worlds.

We’re currently in pre-production on our third, original IP codenamed “EyeSpy.” It is an action shooter game that features a novel XR input paradigm designed for the next generation of devices, with sights set on bringing the experience to traditional consoles, too.

Position Overview

We are seeking a versatile, highly creative UI/UX Designer to own the entire player interaction pipeline for our current immersive project - from initial concept and wireframing through to final UI art production. You will be responsible for defining user flows, mapping screens, wireframing interface layouts, and directly crafting the final, high-fidelity 2D visual assets (menus, HUD, icons).

You will work alongside a dedicated UI Programmer who handles technical implementation within Unreal Engine 5, allowing you to focus entirely on layout design, usability and asset creation.

Key Responsibilities

1. UX Design & Information Architecture

Player Journeys: Plan and design clear user flows and interactive prototypes that help players navigate complex game features.
Wireframing & Prototyping: Build quick, functional wireframes (using tools like Figma or Miro) to test and iterate on new design ideas.
User Feedback: Use playtesting and research to identify design friction and make practical improvements to the player experience.

2. UI Art & Asset Creation

Visual Assets: Create polished, high-fidelity 2D UI elements, including menus, HUDs & icons that match the game's art style.
Style Consistency: Work with the Creative Director to create style guides and mood boards, ensuring our 1990s-inspired aesthetic is consistent throughout the game.
World-Building Integration: Design interfaces that feel like a natural part of the game’s world and story.

3. Developer Collaboration & Handoff

Asset Preparation: Package, slice, and document your finished visual assets, for the UI programmer to implement in-game.
Technical Translation: Collaborate closely with the UI Programmer to ensure design mockups and layout intentions are translated accurately in-game.
Performance Optimization: Help maintain efficient art pipelines by keeping technical constraints (like texture memory) in mind while creating assets.

Position Requirements

Relevant Portfolio: A strong portfolio demonstrating structural UI design skills, high-fidelity asset creation, and layout mockups specifically for games.
Tool Proficiency: Mastery of relevant industry-standard design tools (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, Miro) for creating game UI assets and wireframes.
Technical Constraint: Ability to work within the requirements of mobile / limited hardware, as our project targets standalone VR.
Visual Fundamentals: Strong understanding of UI design principles, composition, typography, and color theory.
Communication: Strong ability to articulate your design reasoning, share concepts, and work closely with a multidisciplinary team.
Based In Australia: Applicants must be based in Australia with the right to work in Australia.

Nice to Haves

Victorian Talent: While we welcome remote applicants, candidates based in Victoria are preferred to support hybrid workflows from our Footscray studio.
Retro Aesthetics: Experience developing UI with retro design elements. The UI for the game takes visual inspiration from interfaces of the 1990s.
VR Experience: Hands-on experience with VR, including best practices for user comfort, spatial UI design, and the intricacies of hand and eye-tracked input systems.
Motion Graphics: Experience with animation or VFX tools to storyboard how UI elements should come to life.
Passion: a love for video games and game development.

Why Join Us?

Own your work: As a member of our small team, you will have the freedom to control your area of development, influence our processes, and put your signature on the final experience for our players.
Collaborative by Design: We are a small, highly collaborative team that thrives on shared creativity. We value curiosity and honest, constructive feedback over traditional hierarchy. You will be encouraged to challenge assumptions and contribute ideas across all aspects of the project, ensuring that the best solutions rise to the top through collective effort.
Solve new design challenges: We are focused on the cutting edge of VR. You’ll work with the latest input methods and hardware, tackling unique problems in XR interaction that don't have standard answers yet.
Work-life & environment:
- We offer a hybrid work model with the flexibility to WFH 2-3 days per week and flexible start and end times. We’re also open to fully-remote candidates based in Australia for this role.
- We operate out of a unique, converted warehouse space in the Docklands Cotton Mills, Footscray.
- Staff perks include food, drinks, regular team celebrations and social events.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and portfolio information to:
jobs@espirevr.com

Please use the subject heading [UX/UI Designer - Your Name].
Regarding your portfolio, please provide a link to your online portfolio and any published games or software projects you have worked on. Please do not attach large Portfolio files or Portfolio PDFs.
Digital Lode requires applicants to have the appropriate rights to work in Australia.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Digital Lode is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups.

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