Lead Virtual Reality Experience Designer

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Remote-first culture

Home office stipend

Professional development budget

Stock options or equity opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Virtual Reality Experience Designer for a fully remote role based in South Africa. You will lead design, prototyping, and oversee a remote team to create immersive VR experiences.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in UX/UI with VR/AR focus, a strong portfolio, and expertise in Unity/Unreal, collaborating with developers and artists to deliver cutting-edge experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Game Design, Interaction Design, HCI, Computer Science, or related field.
• 7+ years of UX/UI design experience with at least 4 years in VR/AR projects.
• Strong portfolio of VR/AR design work.
• Proficiency with Unity, Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of immersive VR experiences from concept to implementation.
• Create VR environments, interactive elements, and UI prioritizing intuitive UX.
• Produce design docs, flows, wireframes, storyboards, and prototypes.
• Collaborate with VR developers, artists, and sound designers to maintain vision.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to iterate designs.
• Mentor junior designers and present concepts to stakeholders.
• Manage remote project timelines and milestones.

Skills

UX/UI design

VR/AR

Leadership

User research

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Game Design, HCI, CS, or related

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Adobe Creative Suite

Figma

Sketch

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge technology firm specializing in immersive digital experiences, is looking for a Lead Virtual Reality Experience Designer to join their **fully remote** team. This is an opportunity to pioneer the next generation of interactive VR content, shaping how users engage with virtual worlds. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and prototyping immersive VR experiences, leading a team of talented designers and developers. The ideal candidate possesses a strong portfolio showcasing innovative VR/AR projects, a deep understanding of user psychology in virtual environments, and excellent leadership skills. As a **remote-first** company, we provide a highly collaborative and supportive environment where your creativity can flourish, allowing you to work from anywhere within **South Africa**. We believe in empowering our team members and providing them with the resources and autonomy to do their best work. This role is crucial for driving innovation in the immersive technology space and delivering groundbreaking user experiences. Your contributions will directly impact the future of virtual reality entertainment and education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of innovative and engaging Virtual Reality experiences from concept to implementation.
• Conceptualize and create immersive VR environments, interactive elements, and user interfaces that prioritize intuitive user experiences.
• Develop detailed design documentation, including user flow diagrams, wireframes, storyboards, and interactive prototypes.
• Collaborate closely with VR developers, artists, and sound designers to ensure the seamless integration of design elements and maintain creative vision.
• Conduct user research, usability testing, and gather feedback to iterate on designs and improve the overall VR experience.
• Stay at the forefront of VR technology, trends, and best practices, advocating for innovative design solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering a collaborative and creative design culture.
• Present design concepts and project updates to stakeholders, clearly articulating the rationale and user-centric approach.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables, ensuring the timely completion of design milestones within a **fully remote** workflow.
• Champion user-centered design principles throughout the entire development process.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Game Design, Interaction Design, HCI, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in UX/UI design, with at least 4 years specifically focused on Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality experiences.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional VR/AR design projects, demonstrating creativity and technical proficiency.
• Proficiency in relevant design and prototyping tools (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch).
• Deep understanding of VR hardware capabilities, interaction paradigms, and user psychology in virtual environments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, essential for managing a **remote** team.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into intuitive and engaging user experiences.
• Experience with agile development methodologies is a plus.
• Must be highly self-motivated and capable of working independently in a **fully remote** setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous professional development budget for courses, conferences, and certifications.
• Flexible work hours and **fully remote** working arrangements.
• Opportunity to work on groundbreaking VR projects with a leading company.
• A supportive and innovative **remote-first** company culture.
• Stock options or equity opportunities for key contributors.
• Home office setup stipend.