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Game Design Director Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Engineering for Kids

STEM teacher

Portland, OR · On-site

$15 - $22/hr

... and video game design. We work onsite at schools and community centers all over the Beaverton ... Professionalism - Be neat in appearance; friendly and courteous with school staff and director ...

R.I.S.E. Financial

Direct Sales Representative

Sherwood, OR · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Whether you're in it for the long game or closing a quick deal, you know that lasting relationships ... This role is about autonomy--giving you the power to design your day, your week, and your life on ...

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All JobsGame Design JobsGame Design Director JobsGame Design Director Jobs in Portland, OR

Game Design Director information

See Portland, OR salary details

$39.2K

$144K

$257.7K

How much do game design director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for game design director in Portland, OR is $143,977.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,100.00 and $172,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Game Design Director do?

A Game Design Director is responsible for overseeing the creative vision and design strategy of a video game project. They lead the design team, ensure cohesion between gameplay, narrative, and visual elements, and make high-level decisions about game mechanics and player experience. The Game Design Director collaborates closely with producers, artists, and engineers to ensure the final product meets both creative and commercial goals. Their role is pivotal in shaping the direction of the game from concept to release.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Game Design Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Design Director, you need deep expertise in game mechanics, storytelling, project management, and a strong portfolio of shipped titles, often supported by a degree in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard engines like Unity or Unreal, as well as proficiency in prototyping tools and knowledge of development pipelines, is essential. Exceptional leadership, creative vision, and communication skills help guide teams and inspire innovative gameplay experiences. These abilities ensure that complex projects are delivered on time and meet both creative and commercial goals.

How does a Game Design Director typically collaborate with other departments during the development process?

A Game Design Director works closely with departments such as art, programming, audio, and production to ensure the game vision is clearly communicated and executed. They often facilitate alignment meetings, provide feedback on design elements, and resolve cross-functional challenges to maintain consistency in gameplay and storytelling. Effective collaboration is key, as the director must balance creative ideas with technical constraints and business goals. This role also involves mentoring designers and representing the design team in high-level discussions with studio leadership.

What is the difference between Game Design Director vs Game Producer?

AspectGame Design DirectorGame Producer
Primary FocusOversees game design vision, mechanics, and creative directionManages project timelines, budgets, and overall production process
Required SkillsGame design, creative leadership, storytellingProject management, communication, resource allocation
Work EnvironmentCreative teams, design departmentsProduction teams, cross-department coordination
Industry UsageUsed in game development studios to define design visionUsed to ensure project delivery and operational success

The Game Design Director focuses on the creative and design aspects of a game, shaping its vision and mechanics. In contrast, the Game Producer manages the project's logistics, schedules, and resources to ensure timely delivery. Both roles are essential but serve different functions within game development teams.

What are the most commonly searched types of Game Design jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Game Design jobs in Portland, OR are:

What are popular job titles related to Game Design Director jobs in Portland, OR?

For Game Design Director jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Game Design Director jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Game Design Director jobs in Portland, OR are:

Game Design Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Game Design Director job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,977 per year, or $69.2 per hour.

Footwear Design Director, Nike Basketball Signature Athlete

Beaverton, OR • On-site

Nike
Retail • 10K+ employees

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 274 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 104 rated fashion retailers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about Nikeexternal

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
As our Footwear Design Director for Nike Basketball Signature Athlete, you will direct the creation of industry-leading footwear bringing bold concepts to life. You will solve complex design challenges and create iconic products that inspire through both function and form.
Inspired by the signature athlete, you will help define a new visual language for Nike Basketball-one that expresses sport through style, performance, and modern design. This role requires both creative ambition and strategic focus, partnering across a global brand to build scalable design systems and advance creative innovation.
The ideal candidate is a visionary designer with exceptional taste, a refined aesthetic point of view, and an unwavering commitment to craft. They bring a sharp eye for detail, proportion, materiality, and execution, consistently delivering elevated design solutions. Through strong creative leadership, they will develop compelling products that resonate emotionally with consumers both on and off the court.
With a deep understanding of cultural relevance, consumer insights, and emerging trends, this individual will continually challenge industry conventions and set a high standard for creativity, desirability, and aesthetic excellence.
  • Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design or related field. Will accept any suitable combination of education, experience and training
  • 10+ years working in Design or related field
  • Exceptional knowledge of design, art, and fashion, as well as passion for sport and youth culture
  • Expert knowledge of form, color, materials, human factors, related to elevating the consumer experience
  • Ability to translate consumer knowledge and insights into product solutions and narratives
  • Experience in technical footwear design - basketball design is a plus
  • Strong Photoshop, Illustrator skills
  • Must be able to build accurate 2D technical drawings (tech packs)
  • Cobbling and prototyping skills are a plus
  • 3D design programs experience is a plus
  • Strong sketching, illustration, and rendering skills
  • Expert knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials
  • Must be able to generate a broad range of concepts and solutions for each project
  • Experienced with presentation programs: Keynote, PowerPoint, Acrobat, etc.
  • Positive personality and energy
  • Ability and passion to lead, coach, collaborate, and onboard Design teammates
  • Contribute and align to shared team culture and behaviors
  • Catalyst to make connections with other Design groups
  • Lead + drive partnerships beyond the Design function (Marketing, Engineering, Development, etc.)
  • Collaborator with a skill in connecting the dots
  • Speaks up with courage for self and the team
  • Open minded, good listener, receptive to candid feedback and diverse points of view
  • Being a hooper is not a requirement but being passionate and curious to learn about basketball and the athlete* is.

*If you have a body, you are an athlete
**TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE SUBMIT A FOOTWEAR DESIGN FOCUSED PORTFOLIO (PDF OR URL ON RESUME WITH PASSWORD PROVIDED IF APPLICABLE)
WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
You will collaborate and mentor within the design community (concept designers, industrial designers, materials, color, graphics, computational, etc.), and work hand in hand with a large project team of different professionals (product managers, developers, researchers, marketing, costing, etc.). This role reports directly the Sr Creative Director, Kobe Brand + Nike Basketball. You will also manage a Lead Footwear Designer.
WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON
In Nike Basketball, you will work on designs that push the possibilities of the human potential through footwear (and beyond). We expect you to explore new opportunities, take risks, and change the game! In your day to day, you will engage with project teammates on researching, gaining insights, problem solving around performance and manufacturing, working with athletes, and crafting a vast range of creative and appealing solutions, that are also sustainable and considerate of cost. With each project, you are encouraged to also participate and present the work in informal and formal reviews. In addition to individual project work, the Footwear Design Director will also collaborate and help build the design direction with the Senior Creative Director. As a top-tier designer with deep knowledge and experience in footwear, you will be seen as a team leader and mentor for other designers
We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.

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