Product Manager

Hidden Variable Studios, LLC. is seeking a Product Manager for a hybrid role in Pasadena, CA. This position supports the launch and ongoing optimization of the F2P economy, systems, and live operations for an unannounced F2P mobile game, with an emphasis on retention, engagement, and monetization KPI performance.

Role Focus

Own product strategy and execution from the ground up, translating data into actionable recommendations. The initial emphasis is on defining and improving the F2P economy and live operations foundations for the upcoming unannounced mobile title.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and publishing partners to define and develop long-term product and marketing strategy for F2P mobile titles, starting with an upcoming unannounced release.
• Create and maintain product roadmaps that support business objectives while improving user experience.
• Own the metrics stack, building and maintaining a deep understanding of the games, audience, and competitors with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Design, monitor, and report on key product metrics to ensure target retention, engagement, and monetization KPI performance, and deliver recommendations based on data.
• Identify monetization and product growth opportunities by proposing and running experiments to test hypotheses, guide feature prioritization, and optimize game performance.
• Design and guide implementation of economy-centric content for live operations, including offers, reward tables, player messaging, and feature presentation, aligned to publishing partner guidelines where applicable.
• Rapidly prototype and iterate on product features with the development team, using data and feedback to improve prioritization and outcomes.
• Partner with Design, Engineering, and Art to shape economy and live-ops features impacting player progression and monetization, including offers and live ops events.
• Support hiring and onboarding for additional product team roles by participating in interviews and helping establish initial team processes.

Requirements

• Completionist: actively developed, released, and/or successfully supported at least one F2P or GaaS title in a team environment.
• F2P Mobile Fanatic: keeps up with F2P mobile trends and tactics, with hands-on familiarity with mobile F2P titles and what drives them.
• Smooth Operator: understands post-launch live ops and ongoing player needs to maximize engagement.
• Data Driven: proficient with analytics tools such as Google Analytics (or similar) and able to use data to improve revenue performance.
• Raconteur: communicates findings clearly and concisely to support roadmaps and strategy through spoken and written updates.
• Infographically Inclined: can transform complex data into clear visualizations.
• Mad Scientist: interested in launching new features and offers, testing performance, and iterating to optimize results.
• Bootstrapper: motivated to excel in a fast-paced environment, working independently or collaboratively.

Technologies

• Google Analytics
• SQL
• Unity
• A/B tests

Bonus Features

• Mobile Wrangler: F2P design and/or product management experience across multiple mobile games.
• Agile Enthusiast: exposure to Agile development practices, backlogs, and Scrum.
• Unity Veteran: familiarity with Unity and its editor components.
• Expert Experimenter: experience working with live ops teams, tuning for GaaS-style KPI optimization, including designing, running, and analyzing A/B tests.
• Cellsperson of the Year: advanced spreadsheet skills and technical working knowledge of mobile gaming platforms.
• Query Me This, Batman: comfort working with SQL (or similar) to pull and analyze data as needed.

Compensation

$95,000 - $120,000 per year. Pay range listed as $95,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year.

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO policy
• Medical, Dental, and Vision plans (yearly stipend with options for major premium plans)
• Financial protection: 401(k) retirement plan, short- and long-term disability, and complimentary Life/AD&D policy
• Family support: 4 months of paid parental leave
• Additional 90 days of fully remote work for employees returning from parental leave (in addition to the usual hybrid schedule)
• Career growth: training and tuition through online or in-person learning, plus reimbursement of travel to conferences and game expenses
• Frequent celebrations

Additional Listed Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Questions

• Will you now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?

Experience

• Game development: 1 year (preferred)
• Product management: 1 year (preferred)

Language

• English (required)

Work Location and Ability to Commute

• Hybrid remote in Pasadena, CA 91105
• Ability to commute: Pasadena, CA 91105 (preferred)

How to Apply

Please send an email with your resume, cover letter, and (if applicable) a portfolio of your work. In the subject line, list the position you’re applying for, and send your message to [email protected].