Design Manager - Remote, Hybrid, or In-Office Department: Design
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Eugene, OR
Compensation: $113,000 - $137,000 / year
Description Pipeworks Studios is seeking a talented and experienced Design Manager to join our studio-wide management team. This role is focused 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.
This is a leadership-focused position ideal for a Senior Game Designer (GD III level or above) who has already or is looking to step away from individual contributor work and focus on people management, team development, and design culture building. While not tied to active project delivery, you will collaborate closely with the Design Director and project leadership to help designers thrive within both internal and external development environments solving problems that range the gamut from process to creative input.
Based in Eugene, Oregon, with the flexibility of full remote work, this is a unique opportunity to shape careers, foster growth, and help define the next generation of design talent at a respected, creatively driven studio.
Key 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.
Benefits - 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 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.
