Unreal Engine Level Designer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Zirous is an accomplished information technology and consulting company based out of West Des Moines, IA. For over 40 years, Zirous has been committed to executing best practices and going above and beyond industry standards to provide viable solutions for customers. 

We are looking to add a full-time UI/UX Designer to our VAEZR Studio team! VAEZR Studio was born from over 40 years of creative and technological excellence; a fusion of design mastery, and cutting-edge innovation. As part of Zirous, a trusted tech firm, and through the acquisition of Applied Art & Technology, VAEZR combines cinematic artistry, experience design, and enterprise-grade technical execution to deliver immersive, high-impact experiences.

From large-scale experiential marketing activations and broadcast campaigns to immersive XR and digital experiences, VAEZR Studio operates at the crossroads of creativity and technology, turning complex visions into experiences that drive real results.

Location:

This position will work in a hybrid model with both work from home (remote) days on each Monday and Friday, as well as on-site days at the Urbandale, IA office every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Zirous offers a flexible schedule so that you can work to meet business needs and your personal needs. Position will be required to be based out of the Urbandale office with the hybrid schedule, therefore applicants currently located in the Des Moines, IA metro will be given priority.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Serve as a full-time consultant on diverse projects spanning various durations and client industries.
• Manage the layout, aesthetics, and overall presentation of interactive applications and web pages while ensuring accessibility and functionality.
• Generate, assess, and polish visual design elements for web-based experiences and interactive applications.
• Design and prototype modern user interface features.
• Develop responsive and mobile-friendly layouts and features.
• Partner with back-end developers to maximize product usability.
• Collect user and client feedback to construct effective, user-centered solutions.
• Keep pace with new and emerging technological advancements.
• Collaborate seamlessly with Project Managers to secure flawless project deployment.

• Have the ability to create your career!

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Design, Interaction Design, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Possess a strong command of the entire creative lifecycle, from initial ideation to final execution.
• Proficiency with core industry design software, including Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and Procreate.
• 3+ Years of visual design experience. 
• 3 - 5 years of experience in digital media. 
• Portfolio demonstrating command of visual design, with an understanding of typography, color theory, and visual storytelling.
• In-depth understanding of the entire application development process, spanning initial design phases (focusing on look, feel, presentation, accessibility, and functionality), user interface development (including creating, updating, and troubleshooting builds within web platforms), and successful deployment through collaboration with back-end developers and Project Managers.
• The ability to create aesthetically appealing, balanced, and professional designs. More importantly, the design must prioritize clarity, ensuring that information is processed effortlessly and quickly by the viewer, thereby supporting the overall communication goal of the experience.
• A high degree of creativity and conceptualization skill. The designer must be able to take abstract, loosely defined, or vague concepts and transform them into engaging, inventive, and visually interesting graphic solutions that effectively communicate the intended message. This involves proactively contributing innovative visual ideas to projects from the initial concept phase.

Preferred Experience:

• Adobe After Effects.
• Knowledge of SEO principles.
• Physical graphics design and delivery. 

Nice to have:

• Experience with 3D software and workflows. (e.g., Blender, Cinema4D, Maya, Substance Painter)
• Experience with Game engines and other 3D development tools (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, 3js, R3F)

Benefits

• Collaborative environment with strategists, creatives, and technical experts.
• Ability to shape how organizations use VR, AR, MR, and AI to solve real business problems.
• High-visibility role with strong growth potential.
• Competitive compensation package.
• You'll work alongside some of the smartest people you'll ever know. You'll learn from them, and they'll learn from you.
• LOTS of perks: catered lunches, snacks, beverages, social hours, on-site gym & shower facility, small group activity options outside of work (book club, craft club, public speaking club, volleyball league, golf league, etc.), and a flexible work schedule with the ability to work remotely and in the office.
• Recognition for a job well done! Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year awards with bonus amounts for each.
• Company-wide lunches on-site and remotely.
• Lunch and Learns (throughout the year we educate each other on different industry topics).
• Casual dress - jeans, sweatshirts, and flip flops are all acceptable while in our office or while working from home. 
• Professional development opportunities: certifications, continued education, speaking engagements, etc.
• Much, much, more!