Who We Are
Founded in 2023, Small Axe Studios is 2K’s newest stand-alone studio, built to push the boundaries of game development and bring 2K’s next groundbreaking sports franchise to life. Headquartered in Burnaby, we are assembling a world-class team of visionaries, builders, and passionate gamers who thrive on creative collaboration, technical excellence, and bold ideas. At Small Axe Studios, we believe big things start with sharp focus—and we’re crafting an exceptional, player-first experience from the ground up. If you’re ready to tackle unique challenges, leave your mark on a brand-new IP, and help shape the future of interactive sports entertainment, we want you on our team!
What We Need
- Do you see UI as more than menus and icons—as a core part of a game’s identity and experience
- Do you see UI as more than menus and icons — as the connective tissue between player intent and player experience?
What You’ll Do
Design
- Own and maintain the atomic design system based in Figma.
- Design and refine player flows, wireframes, interaction patterns, and information hierarchies that improve clarity, usability, and comprehension.
- Translate complex player needs and gameplay systems into intuitive, elegant UX solutions.
- Iterate on designs and solutions that enhance usability, clarity, and emotional impact.
- Guide adaptation of core gameplay, controls, and menu experiences across multiple platforms and input methods, ensuring parity and quality across all environments.
Visual & Art
- Help define the game's UI visual style in partnership with the Art Director and Design team.
- Translate wireframes and UX systems into refined, visually cohesive interfaces.
- Build final assets, iconography, motion graphics, and mockups that balance form and function.
Collaboration
- Collaborate across Design, Art, and Engineering disciplines to bring ideas from concept to shippable feature.
- Provide feedback in reviews and help maintain visual and UX consistency across the product.
- Stay current on trends in games, apps, and visual design to bring fresh thinking to the team.
What Will Make You A Great Fit
- Experience shipping at least one AAA game or equivalent project.
- Strong portfolio showing a range of UI Art work and or UX Design work.
- Skilled in Figma using components for Atomic Design structures.
- Skilled in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects (or equivalent) for UI asset creation and motion design.
- Comfortable working across teams - Design, Art, Engineering -to bring ideas to life.
- Strong communicator who gives and receives feedback with clarity and respect.
- Deep curiosity about games and a thoughtful approach to how UI supports the player experience.
Beneficial Qualifications
- Background in graphic design, layout, and gestalt principles.
- Familiarity with implementing UI in Unreal Engine (UMG), including Blueprints, animations, and materials.
- Experience with UI shaders/materials and 2D FX for game engines.
The pay range for this position in British Columbia at the start of employment is expected to be between CAD $78,400 and CAD $116,020 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an 'at-will position' and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews, and when emailing, we only use 2K.com accounts.
#LI-Hybrid
Skills Required
- Experience shipping at least one AAA game or equivalent project
- Strong portfolio demonstrating UI art and/or UX design work
- Proficiency in Figma using components for Atomic Design structures
- Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects or equivalent tools for UI asset creation and motion design
- Ability to collaborate across Design, Art, and Engineering teams
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including giving and receiving feedback
- Deep curiosity about games and a thoughtful approach to player experience
- Background in graphic design, layout, and gestalt principles
- Familiarity with implementing UI in Unreal Engine using UMG, Blueprints, animations, and materials
- Experience with UI shaders, materials, and 2D effects for game engines
2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — Job postings consistently list medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, and mental‑health/wellbeing programs, indicating comprehensive coverage. Feedback suggests these offerings are a reliable cornerstone across roles even as other rewards vary by location.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Listings cite 14 paid holidays, 15–25 days of vacation or a discretionary time‑off program, up to 10 paid sick days, and paid parental and compassionate leave. Feedback suggests the breadth of time off compares favorably within games/tech.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Employees can participate in a parent‑company Employee Stock Purchase Plan typically at a 15% discount, with some roles also eligible for equity. Feedback suggests the ESPP adds meaningful value to the total‑rewards package.
2K Insights
What We Do
2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM. At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We push ourselves creatively to do the best work of our careers. We’re direct, open, and you’ll probably meet some new best friends – along with their dogs – sitting nearby. In short, it’s kinda awesome.
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2K Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We are a blend of onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. Please refer to individual job descriptions for more details on location.
