Pipeworks Studios
Design Manager - Remote, Hybrid, or In-Office
Pipeworks Studios, Eugene, Oregon, United States, 97403
Overview
Pipeworks Studios is seeking a talented and experienced Design Manager to join our studio-wide management team. This role focuses on staff recruiting, employee development, mentorship, and management and is not tied to an individual project. As a Design Manager, you will guide, support, and grow a diverse team of game designers across all career stages and specialties, contributing directly to the long-term strength and creative excellence of the Design department.
Compensation:
$113,000 - $137,000 / year
Department:
Design
Location:
Eugene, OR
Responsibilities
Day to Day: Serve as the direct manager for designers across multiple projects and disciplines, including system, level, UI/UX, and technical designers.
Support designers in their day-to-day work by providing mentorship, career guidance, feedback, and advocacy within project and studio leadership.
Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and growth check-ins with staff designers.
Collaborate with the Design Director and Associate Design Director to align on department needs, hiring priorities, and team health.
Support portfolio-wide design initiatives, culture-building efforts, and best practices documentation.
Collaborate with production and project leads to support project staffing, onboarding, and designer assignments.
Contribute to studio-wide hiring, recruitment, and interview processes for design roles.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Must Haves
Deep understanding of multiple design disciplines (e.g., systems, level, narrative, UI/UX, combat, technical).
Proven ability to mentor, coach, and develop designers at various stages of their careers.
Strong communication skills with the ability to advocate for staff, manage performance feedback, and build trusted relationships.
Experience collaborating with production, leadership, and cross-discipline teams.
Familiarity with design staffing strategies, portfolio building, and hiring practices.
Passion for supporting others and cultivating a strong, inclusive, and creative design culture.
Possible travel to sibling studios or clients, domestic and abroad, may be required.
Nice to haves
Previous experience in a department lead, discipline manager, or studio mentor role.
Interest in contributing to non-project creative initiatives (design training, playtesting, studio events, documentation).
Multi-genre/platform development experience across premium and live service
Education & Experience
10+ years of experience in professional game design
At least 3 shipped titles, ideally with experience in leadership roles on two or more
Comfortable managing distributed and remote teams across time zones
Benefits Flexible Working Environment
Almost all of our roles allow for your choice of work location. We're happy to support our team no matter how they prefer to work: remote, in office, or hybrid.
Medical, Dental, and Vision
401K with employer match
Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy
Generous Paid Time Off
20 Paid Company Holidays
Relocation Assistance
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Fitness Club Discounts
Sports Team Sponsorship
Annual Company Events
Project Wrap Parties
A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Pipeworks Studios recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all of our employees feel included and empowered to bring ideas to the table. We value each employee's unique experiences and perspectives and recognize that it is both the smart and right thing to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization.
By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!
Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Demographic Report.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries
Computer Games
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Compensation:
$113,000 - $137,000 / year
Department:
Design
Location:
Eugene, OR
Responsibilities
Day to Day: Serve as the direct manager for designers across multiple projects and disciplines, including system, level, UI/UX, and technical designers.
Support designers in their day-to-day work by providing mentorship, career guidance, feedback, and advocacy within project and studio leadership.
Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and growth check-ins with staff designers.
Collaborate with the Design Director and Associate Design Director to align on department needs, hiring priorities, and team health.
Support portfolio-wide design initiatives, culture-building efforts, and best practices documentation.
Collaborate with production and project leads to support project staffing, onboarding, and designer assignments.
Contribute to studio-wide hiring, recruitment, and interview processes for design roles.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Must Haves
Deep understanding of multiple design disciplines (e.g., systems, level, narrative, UI/UX, combat, technical).
Proven ability to mentor, coach, and develop designers at various stages of their careers.
Strong communication skills with the ability to advocate for staff, manage performance feedback, and build trusted relationships.
Experience collaborating with production, leadership, and cross-discipline teams.
Familiarity with design staffing strategies, portfolio building, and hiring practices.
Passion for supporting others and cultivating a strong, inclusive, and creative design culture.
Possible travel to sibling studios or clients, domestic and abroad, may be required.
Nice to haves
Previous experience in a department lead, discipline manager, or studio mentor role.
Interest in contributing to non-project creative initiatives (design training, playtesting, studio events, documentation).
Multi-genre/platform development experience across premium and live service
Education & Experience
10+ years of experience in professional game design
At least 3 shipped titles, ideally with experience in leadership roles on two or more
Comfortable managing distributed and remote teams across time zones
Benefits Flexible Working Environment
Almost all of our roles allow for your choice of work location. We're happy to support our team no matter how they prefer to work: remote, in office, or hybrid.
Medical, Dental, and Vision
401K with employer match
Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy
Generous Paid Time Off
20 Paid Company Holidays
Relocation Assistance
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Fitness Club Discounts
Sports Team Sponsorship
Annual Company Events
Project Wrap Parties
A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Pipeworks Studios recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all of our employees feel included and empowered to bring ideas to the table. We value each employee's unique experiences and perspectives and recognize that it is both the smart and right thing to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization.
By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!
Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Demographic Report.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries
Computer Games
#J-18808-Ljbffr