Kluge Interactive is an immersive game studio building the future of human connection through interactive experiences. We’re best known for Synth Riders, one of the most popular rhythm games in AR/VR. We are also an experienced UGC game studio, having worked in Horizon Worlds since 2021.
The Role
We are hiring a Lead Game Designer (UGC Division) to lead design across multiple concurrent projects, starting with Horizon Worlds and Roblox, with an eye towards Fortnite (UEFN) and other UGC platforms.
This is a leadership position managing a team of six game designers (most of them senior). You’ll report to the UGC Game Design Director, bounce between projects at different life cycles, uphold high design standards, and mentor/guide other design leads while partnering closely with Kluge executives, production, engineering, art, and external stakeholders.
Minimum Requirements
- 8+ years of professional game design experience with shipped titles
- Proven leadership and people management experience; capable of managing six designers (mostly senior) and guiding other design leads
- Hands-on experience designing for UGC/social platforms (e.g., Horizon Worlds, Roblox), or equivalent multiplayer/social experiences
- Strength in systems design (progression, rewards/economies, challenges, onboarding) and data-informed iteration
- Strong prototyping ability and comfort working directly in-editor (visual scripting or equivalent) to validate ideas quickly
- Excellent communication and documentation skills; thrives in cross-disciplinary, remote collaboration
- High ownership and autonomy; proven ability to context switch across multiple live and in-development projects without losing quality or velocity
Desired Requirements
- Experience with Roblox, Horizon Worlds, and openness to additional UGC ecosystem
- Familiarity with game engines, plus platform-specific visual scripting tools; Roblox/Lua is a plus
- Background with live-ops/GaaS (telemetry, KPIs, A/B tests, seasonal/limited-time events)
- Experience designing for mobile as well as VR; awareness of performance budgets and accessibility/comfort best practices
- Experience setting team standards, mentoring senior ICs, and conducting effective design reviews
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of six game designers; mentor growth, set standards, run reviews, and ensure quality/consistency across projects
- Own end-to-end design for UGC experiences: pillars, systems, specs, and balancing tailored to Horizon Worlds, Roblox, and future platforms
- Switch context efficiently across multiple titles at different life cycles; coordinate priorities and unblock teams while maintaining momentum
- Guide and support other design leads, aligning on vision, scope, and delivery while reinforcing best practices and documentation quality
- Prototype and iterate quickly within platform tools to validate mechanics, loops, and onboarding; drive data-informed improvements
- Collaborate cross-functionally with production, engineering, art, audio, and client stakeholders to scope, build, and ship on schedule
- Champion accessibility & comfort across VR/mobile; ensure designs are approachable and performant
- Partner with leadership and BD/clients as needed to align on goals, constraints, milestones, and resource planning for the UGC portfolio
Benefits
- Full-time role with competitive compensation based on experience
- Fully remote with flexible hours and strong autonomy
- A creative, supportive environment with a diverse, highly experienced team
- Clear growth path to scale and evolve the UGC design organization across multiple platforms
Founded in 2008, Kluge is a VR/AR first creative technology studio developing its own portfolio of VR games as well as helping forward-thinking brands and companies build immersive VR/AR products and experiences.
Based in LA, Kluge has a growing team of globally distributed technology creatives, who are all working closely together to forge the future of VR and AR.
Founded on the principles of collaboration, scrappiness and creativity, Kluge is quick to recognize a compelling idea, whether it comes from one of our team members or our supportive community.
If you are looking to flex your creative muscles and want to join a company where you are given the freedom to make a difference, you will find a welcome home at Kluge.
What it’s like to work with Kluge
- You have a lot of freedom to work where and when you want. We are 100% remote, and fully decentralized, with team members across both coasts of the USA, as well as in different parts of Europe, Latin America and Australia
- You have a lot of flexibility to take the time off you need when you need it the most
- You’ll work with a very collaborative team, made up of artists, developers, and producers, working together with input from other disciplines and departments
- You have the ear and direct access to the founding team who is open to feedback and looking for you to continuously improve and grow along with Kluge
From the makers of Synth Riders comes a groundbreaking arcade-style fighting game reimagined for VR. Set in an expansive sci-fi universe, Final Fury thrusts players into an epic fighting tournament where the galaxy’s most formidable warriors vie for total supremacy.
Prepare to get your heart racing and your muscles burning! Use intuitive real-world gestures to throw ranged punches, activate special moves, and perform devastating combos. It’s simple to start, yet deep enough to satisfy even the most seasoned fighting game veterans.
Let the music move you as you catch notes, ride the rails, and dodge obstacles! Synth Riders is a freestyle interactive VR rhythm game enjoyed by thousands of fans across the globe. Currently available on the Oculus store, Steam store, and PlayStation, Synth Riders has 56 OST songs, a DLC track list that includes artists such as Muse, The Offspring and Caravan Palace. Synth Riders also offers a wide selection of game modifiers, a global leader board and multiplayer rooms that allow you to play and compete with fans from around the world.