Lead Immersive Experience Designer (AR/VR)

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

VR/AR hardware access

Paid time off

Professional development & conferences

Home office stipend

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Lead Immersive Experience Designer with AR/VR expertise to lead a multidisciplinary team of designers and developers through ideation to delivery of cutting-edge experiences.

You will shape user-centered AR/VR projects, drive creative direction, and collaborate with product, engineers, and marketing to deliver impactful immersive applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field such as Interaction Design, Digital Media, or CS.
• Minimum 8 years in UI/UX with at least 4 years in AR/VR or immersive tech.
• Proven experience leading design teams and managing complex digital projects.
• Proficiency in Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Unity, Unreal Engine, and Maya.
• Strong understanding of 3D environments and HCI in immersive contexts.
• Experience with user research and usability testing for AR/VR.
• Excellent visual, spatial, and interaction design skills.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities.
• Portfolio of innovative AR/VR projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of AR/VR experiences from concept to launch.
• Oversee UI/UX designers, 3D artists, and developers with creative direction.
• Develop user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and marketing to define scope and deliverables.
• Ensure usability, accessibility, and engagement in designs.
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and A/B testing.
• Stay current with AR/VR trends and spatial computing.
• Present concepts and progress to teams and clients.

Skills

UI/UX design

Team leadership

User research

Usability testing

Prototyping

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Interaction Design, Digital Media, Computer Science

Tools

Figma

Adobe Creative Suite

Unity

Unreal Engine

Maya

Job description

About the Role

About the Role Our client, a pioneering digital arts and technology studio based in the scenic coastal city of Cape Town , is searching for a Lead Immersive Experience Designer with expertise in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). This is a crucial role for an individual passionate about crafting engaging and memorable digital interactions. You will be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge AR/VR applications and experiences that redefine entertainment, education, and utility. The successful candidate will lead a talented team of designers and developers, guiding the conceptualization and execution of projects from ideation to final delivery. We are looking for a visionary leader who can translate complex ideas into intuitive and breathtaking immersive environments for users in Cape Town and globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of interactive AR and VR experiences, from conceptualization to final product launch.
• Oversee a team of UI/UX designers, 3D artists, and developers, providing creative direction and technical guidance.
• Develop user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for immersive applications.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, and marketing teams, to define project scope and deliverables.
• Ensure user-centered design principles are applied throughout the development process, focusing on usability, accessibility, and engagement.
• Conduct user research, usability testing and A/B testing to gather insights and iterate on designs.
• Stay current with the latest trends, technologies and best practices in AR, VR and spatial computing.
• Present design concepts and project progress to internal teams and external clients.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Interaction Design, Digital Media, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in UI/UX design, with at least 4 years specifically focused on AR/VR or other immersive technologies.
• Proven experience leading design teams and managing complex digital projects.
• Proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Unity, Unreal Engine, Maya).
• Strong understanding of 3D environments, game design principles, and human-computer interaction within immersive contexts.
• Experience with user research methodologies and usability testing for AR/VR applications.
• Excellent visual, spatial, and interaction design skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical requirements into user-friendly designs.
• Demonstrated portfolio showcasing innovative AR/VR projects is essential.

Benefits

• This role offers a highly competitive salary, a comprehensive health insurance plan, and retirement savings options.
• You will have access to cutting-edge VR/AR hardware and software.
• Our client provides generous paid time off, opportunities for professional development and attending industry conferences, and a creative, collaborative work environment in beautiful Cape Town.
• We also offer performance-based bonuses and a stipend for home office setup if needed for specific project requirements, though the role is primarily office-based.
• Enjoy a work-life balance that allows you to experience the best of what Cape Town has to offer.