🟢 Actively Hiring · Posted 24d ago ⏳ Closes in 67 days UK Corridor 🛡️ UK Work Eligibility 🏢 Full-time

Principal Designer

🏢 Frontier • 📍 Cambridge / Hybrid • 🕒 Sep 14, 2026

Salary Range

£35,000 - £55,000

£2,917 - £4,583 / mo

Career Integrity & Compliance Audit Report

OP-VERIF-22036751 ✓ Passed Inspection

This vacancy has been independently reviewed by the OppaJob Transatlantic Career Intelligence Desk to confirm authentic direct employer recruiting, verify compensation transparency, and eliminate applicant processing fees.

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Corporate Registration Verified UK Companies House registration standing active

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Prevailing Wage Benchmark UK National Minimum Wage & Equality Act 2010 aligned

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Zero-Intermediary Direct Pipeline Direct candidate ATS submission. 100% free with zero recruitment charges.

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Corridor Right-to-Work Match UK Work Eligibility

Transatlantic Cost of Living & Purchasing Power Benchmark

Verified Analytics

Location Base

Cambridge / Hybrid

Tier-1 UK Economic Zone

Est. Take-Home Pay

68% - 74% (After PAYE & NI)

Single tax filer baseline

Transatlantic Parity

1.0 GBP ≈ $1.28 USD Living Standard

Direct corporate benchmark

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Position Overview & Specifications

Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap. This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.

WHAT'S THE ROLE?

Frontier is seeking a Principal Game Designer to join our Design team in a key leadership role. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the creative direction of our games while leading and developing a team of talented game designers. Working as either the lead designer on a project or a strategic partner to project leadership, you will drive the overall game vision and ensure it is realised through engaging, innovative and high-quality player experiences.

As a Principal Designer, you will combine hands-on design expertise with people leadership, overseeing major feature areas, mentoring designers at all levels, and setting the benchmark for design excellence across the studio. Your ability to inspire teams, make strong creative decisions and deliver outstanding game experiences will be central to the success of our projects.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Taking ownership of design for major feature areas, or where required leading design across the entire project.

Working with the Game Director to deliver on the game’s vision.

Providing line-management for design team members, developing their careers, and making the most of their capabilities.

Managing project risks, and identifying blockers and inefficiencies.

Driving quality using playtests, player feedback, QA reporting, and your own insights.

Designing game features, creating in-game content and balancing game systems.

Collaborating closely with other development disciplines to build understanding and gain alignment throughout development.

Managing game design documentation & communication across the team.

Working with Production to ensure effective feature prioritisation and work scheduling.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Deep game knowledge across a range of genres, especially management and simulation games.

Commercial game design experience in a senior role.

Experience of designing and delivering major game features.

Experience of managing and motivating teams.

Strong understanding of player psychology.

Excellent presentation skills, and experience in presenting your ideas to stakeholders both within and outside the project.

Knowledge of a variety of game design theories and methods.

Ability to clearly communicate your ideas across a variety of media.

BONUS IF YOU HAVE

Experience working on management games.

Knowledge of UX/UI design principles.

Experience of supporting and growing live games.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.

Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.

We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.

For queries, please email: -----

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Candidate Selection & Onboarding Process

Application & Resume Screening

Submit your tailored CV/Resume directly to the talent acquisition portal.

Technical & Competency Interviews

Virtual interviews with the hiring manager and multidisciplinary team.

Formal Offer & Benefits Negotiation

Written agreement outlining compensation, equity, retirement vesting, and relocation allowances.

Onboarding & Corporate Integration

Equipment provisioning, team orientation, and commencement of duties.

United Kingdom Right to Work & Skilled Worker Visa Guide

Corridor Intelligence

Employment in the United Kingdom requires legal Right to Work verified under the Home Office Points-Based Immigration System:

🇬🇧 Skilled Worker Visa (Tier 2)

Sponsoring employers must hold an active Home Office A-rated Sponsor License and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Role must meet the general minimum salary threshold (£38,700) or occupation going rate.

🏛️ Settlement (ILR) Pathway

Continuous employment under Skilled Worker status establishes eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British Citizenship.

⚖️ Official regulatory reference: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) & Home Office Sponsor Register.

Candidate Preparation Blueprint: Design

Recruitment Insights

Based on transatlantic hiring benchmarks for Principal Designer roles across Frontier's corporate sector, successful applicants typically excel across three core dimensions:

1. Domain Competency

Demonstrated portfolio evidence, architecture/system design case studies, or validated professional certifications directly applicable to Design.

2. Behavioral & Leadership

STAR method competency responses highlighting cross-functional leadership, conflict resolution, and delivering measurable enterprise ROI under tight timelines.

3. Compensation Alignment

Total compensation expectation aligned within the benchmarked £35,000 - £55,000 bracket, including retirement vesting and health parity.

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