Full-Time
Global Payroll Manager
Nex
201-500 employees
Motion-based family gaming console with subscription
Compensation Overview
$145k - $185k/yr
San Jose, CA, USA
Remote
PST preferred for remote role.
 Accounting (1) |
|---|
Get referred to Nex
See people who can refer or advise you
- 6+ years of progressive payroll experience, with a mix of global payroll operations and industry experience preferred
- CPP or equivalent certification is a plus
- Demonstrated experience managing international payroll providers across multiple countries, including vendor onboarding and ongoing performance management
- Hands-on expertise reconciling payroll-related balance sheet accounts, including accrued compensation, payroll tax liabilities, and related GL accounts
- Builder’s mentality—you are comfortable creating processes and know how to prioritize in an environment where not everything is yet defined
- Experience with payroll technology platforms (e.g., ADP, Workday, Rippling, or equivalent) and a track record of leveraging automation to improve efficiency
- Understanding of multi-country payroll compliance, including statutory filings, tax withholding requirements, and local employment regulations
- Exceptional attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to translate complex payroll concepts for non-payroll stakeholders
- Experience at an early-stage or high-growth startup is a significant plus; consumer technology, e-commerce, or hardware industry background preferred
- Build best-in-class global payroll processes— assess current state workflows, identify gaps, and implement scalable, efficient processes for payroll execution across all applicable jurisdictions domestically and internationally
- Manage international payroll providers— onboard and oversee third-party payroll vendors across multiple countries, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and service quality. Serve as the primary point of contact for all payroll provider relationships
- Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts— own the end-to-end reconciliation of payroll-related balance sheet accounts including accrued compensation, payroll liabilities, and related accounts, ensuring accuracy and alignment with the general ledger
- Ensure global payroll compliance— maintain up-to-date knowledge of payroll regulations across applicable jurisdictions; manage registrations, filings, and remittances in accordance with local requirements
- Drive payroll automation and technology— evaluate and implement payroll technology solutions to reduce manual effort, improve data accuracy, and streamline reporting across geographies
- Maintain a comprehensive payroll calendar— oversee all payroll cycles, tax filings, and statutory payments, ensuring timely and accurate execution across all regions
- Support audits and compliance reviews— serve as primary contact for internal and external audits related to payroll; coordinate documentation and responses to resolve inquiries efficiently
- Partner cross-functionally— collaborate with HR, Accounting, Legal, and FP&A to provide payroll guidance on new hires, equity events, benefit programs, and organizational changes
- CPP or equivalent certification
- Experience at an early-stage or high-growth startup is a significant plus
- Consumer technology, e-commerce, or hardware industry background preferred
Nex makes a motion-based gaming system called the Nex Playground that lets families play without traditional controllers. The core product is a hardware console with a built-in camera and a computer vision/AI system that tracks up to 18 body points, letting up to four players play games by moving their bodies instead of holding a controller. Games come bundled with the starter pack, and players can subscribe to Play Pass to access a growing catalog of over 40 titles, with new games added every month. Nex earns recurring revenue from the subscription in addition to the initial hardware sale. The Nex Playground is designed for indoor use, supports portable play with a travel case, and can operate without Wi‑Fi, making it suitable for family entertainment and active, kid-friendly play.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series B
Total Funding
$42M
Headquarters
California
Founded
2017
Get referred to Nex
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Nex surpassed 1M lifetime units sold and is expanding to the U.K. and Ireland in summer 2026.
- Play Pass subscription includes over 60 games with new titles added monthly, driving recurring revenue from $89/year access.
- Major IP partnerships with SEGA (Sonic Forces Q4 2026), HYBE (BTS Starri 2026), Nickelodeon (Dora), and Wrexham AFC expand content library.
What critics are saying
- Nintendo will launch a dedicated motion console for kids under 10 with Mario Kart and Pokemon in 12–18 months, directly eroding Nex’s parental trust.
- Amazon may release a $149 Alexa-powered motion console integrating Prime Video Kids and Disney+, displacing Nex’s $89/year Play Pass value proposition.
- Nex fails to reach 1.5M units by Q4 2026 if Play Pass churn exceeds 40% due to content retention collapse, making the $299 hardware model unsustainable.
What makes Nex unique
- Nex Playground is the only controller-free console built specifically for kids and families with privacy at its core.
- It uses proprietary AI and computer vision to track 18 body points, enabling motion-based gameplay without controllers or wearables.
- The platform offers a closed ecosystem with no ads, no stranger chat, and kidSAFE+ COPPA compliance for safe family play.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Flexible Work Hours
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 1%1 year growth
↑ 0%2 year growth
↓ -3%Freefall Racers takes flight again, reimagined on Nex Playground. 06:00 - 22 Jul 2026 Originally developed for the Xbox Kinect, the family-friendly flying racer is reborn on Nex Playground with enhanced gameplay for a new generation of players Nex, the company behind Nex Playground, the active play system that gets families moving together, today introduced the nostalgic title Freefall Racers to its Play Pass catalog. Originally developed by Smoking Gun Interactive for the Xbox Kinect in 2013, the game is making a generational comeback over a decade later, revamped and optimized for its new home on Nex Playground. In Freefall Racers, players suit up as adventurous flying squirrels, racing through colorful skies, weaving through obstacles, soaring around tight turns, and chasing victory across imaginative courses. In Freefall Racers, players suit up as adventurous flying squirrels, racing through colorful skies, weaving through obstacles, soaring around tight turns, and chasing victory across imaginative courses. Using motion-based technology on Nex Playground, players can lean, dodge, and steer through each race seamlessly, transforming movement into fast-paced competition that gets the whole family off the couch and into the action. The Nex Playground version builds on the original experience with gameplay enhancements designed specifically for today's families, including: * Full-body flying gameplay that lets players control their character using natural body movement * Eight colorful race tracks spanning vibrant environments with unique obstacles and challenges * Single-player and local two-player modes for solo adventures or head-to-head family competition * Flight Assist for smoother, more approachable controls optimized for Nex Playground * Flight School, a new tutorial that helps players quickly master flying mechanics * Cup Collection mode featuring multiple championship cups to conquer * XP progression system that unlocks new characters, tracks and cups as players advance "Some games may be ahead of their time," said David Lee, CEO and co-founder of Nex. "Freefall Racers has always had an incredibly fun core concept, and using motion technology on Nex Playground finally allows that vision to shine for families. It's a perfect example of how great gameplay can find new life on the right platform with the right audience, and we're excited to welcome it to Nex Playground." "We are thrilled to bring Freefall Racers to Nex Playground! We can't wait for families to meet our zany flying squirrel crew and start soaring down unique landscapes," said Jacob Barrows, Studio Head of Smoking Gun Interactive. "With three distinct speed classes and many tracks, cups, and characters to unlock, there is a perfect experience for every racer, whether you're just starting out or aiming for gold in every race. Freefall Racers will be flying onto your Nex Playground on July 22nd!" Players can take flight exclusively on Nex Playground through Play Pass, the content subscription service that unlocks the full catalog of games and experiences on Nex Playground. Bringing Freefall Racers to Play Pass reflects Nex's commitment to growing its catalog of active-play experiences while creating new opportunities for developers to reach family audiences. By making games available through a continually expanding subscription catalog, Nex helps connect players with new experiences while giving standout motion-controlled titles a new home. Play Pass is sold separately and can be added at any time. To learn more, visit nexplayground.com. About Nex Nex is on a mission to connect families and friends through active play. Created by parents for parents, Nex combines technology and play to deliver fun, social, and interactive experiences powered by natural body motion. Its award-winning active play system, Nex Playground, is the only controller-free console built specifically for kids and families with safety and privacy at the core of its design. Nex Playground is kidSAFE+ COPPA compliant and a member of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) in the U.S. In the U.K., Nex Playground aligns with GDPR requirements, earning PEGI 3 age ratings on the included starter bundle. Motion-tracking data and processing stay local to the device, and every system includes a built-in camera cover. Nex Playground with Play Pass features a growing catalog of 60+ active games, from sports to dance, fitness, and educational experiences, including Nex Originals and collaborations with partners such as Paramount, Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, and NBCUniversal. Nex has been recognized by Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, TIME's Best Inventions, and Parents' Best Entertainment System for Families, and has earned Red Dot, IDEA, and Core77 international design awards. Nex Playground is available at Amazon, Best Buy(R), Target(R), Walmart(R), and Sam's Club(R) online and select retail stores in the U.S. and Canada, and is available in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland at Amazon U.K., Argos, and Smyths Toys. To learn more, visit nexplayground.com or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook. About Smoking Gun Interactive Located in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Smoking Gun Interactive (SGI) is an industry-leading game development studio focused on creating world-class titles that engage and entertain audiences across the globe. The studio was founded in 2007 by the award-winning industry veterans and creative forces behind Company of Heroes(TM), regarded as one of the greatest real-time strategy games of all time. Best known for hit titles such as Age of Empires: Castle Siege and Microsoft Solitaire Collection, Smoking Gun prides itself on innovative gameplay and engaging experiences that push the boundaries across a diverse range of genres. To learn more about us, please visit our website at www.smokingguninc.com. Logo. Images. Other Retail Consumer Electronics Online Retail Technology Electronic Games Entertainment
Nex, maker of the Nex Playground active play system, is set to surpass one million lifetime units sold this month. The company is previewing its Spring 2026 lineup at the Game Developers Conference, featuring new titles from major franchises including Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dude Perfect, Dora and Rubik's Cube. The new titles will roll out through Play Pass, Nex Playground's content subscription service, starting 15 April with Avatar: The Last Airbender. The controller-free console, designed for families, uses motion-tracking technology and currently offers over 55 motion, dance, fitness and educational experiences. Nex is expanding into European markets, beginning with the UK later this year, following its rollout across the US and Canada in 2025. The system is available at major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Walmart.
Can Nex Playground really compete with Xbox or PS5? If you're a parent, you've probably seen the Nex Playground popping up all over your social feeds. This petite, minimalist kids' gaming console ticks a lot of boxes for modern families: no in-app purchases, gesture-controlled games, and no controllers to lose or break. With overwhelmingly positive reviews and a growing fanbase, one question kept nagging me: Nex Playground vs Xbox PSG - could this cheerful little console actually replace the gaming titans in my Living room? Or is it just filling a very different role - one that looks really appealing after your kids have blasted Fortnite sound effects one too many times? What exactly is the Nex Playground? At first glance, the Nex Playground barely looks like a game console at all. It's a small, neutral box that fits in your palm and under your TV. The kind of device that doesn't scream "this house belongs to gamers" the way an Xbox or PS5 does. I appreciate that. Basically, it's a motion-controlled gaming console designed for kids and families. Instead of controllers, it uses a built-in camera to track body movements. So natural movements like jumping, waving, and balancing turn into gameplay. If you remember the Nintendo Wii, it's like that but without the controllers. One of its biggest selling points - and one that immediately caught my attention as a parent - is how intentionally limited it is. There are: * No in-app purchases * No ads * No open-ended browsing * No chat with strangers * No controller rage (because there are no controllers) The console comes with 5 games built in. Via the Nex Playground subscription model, Play Pass, you can access an entire catalog of ad-free games. Nex has partnered with brands like Mattel, Hasbro, and Paramount to create its titles. Browsing them, I was impressed by how curated and age-appropriate everything looked. There's everything from Peppa Pig (which my kids would have loved when they were younger) to intense fitness videos for adults. It's very clear Nex isn't trying to be the next Xbox or PlayStation. It's aiming to be the console you don't have to supervise like a hawk every time your kid turns it on. I love that. I also love the glowing reviews it gets from parents who want to delay a traditional console for as long as possible, but still want to introduce their kids to gaming fun. Nex Playground vs Xbox PS5: who are these consoles actually for? This is where the comparison gets interesting - and where it also starts to feel a little unfair. The Nex Playground is unapologetically built for families with younger kids. It assumes: * Games will be played in a shared living space * Parents will be nearby * Sessions will be relatively short * Fun should be immediate, physical, and low-stakes Xbox and PS5, on the other hand, are built for gamers first. Even when they market themselves as "family-friendly," their ecosystems revolve around: * Controllers (plural, expensive, easily broken) * Massive game libraries * Online accounts and subscriptions * Games that reward long, uninterrupted play Sure, both Xbox and PlayStation can be family consoles. But anyone who's tried to enforce screen-time rules while a kid is mid-mission in a sprawling open-world game knows how that usually goes. The Nex Playground sidesteps that entire power struggle. There's no "just five more minutes" because most games are designed to wrap up quickly. There's no heated debate over whose turn it is because many games work best with multiple players moving around together. For me, there's something deeply appealing about a console where gaming looks like more of a social event than a solitary screen-contained experience. But, if Gadget Flow Inc. is being honest: if you genuinely enjoy gaming, the Nex Playground will feel a little watered down - not on par with the immersive experiences you're used to. Game libraries: where the comparison starts to crack. This is the section where the Nex Playground vs Xbox PS5 comparison really shows its limits. Xbox and PlayStation offer thousands of games across every genre imaginable - story-driven epics, competitive shooters, cozy indie titles, sports simulations, you name it. Between Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, it's almost impossible not to find something to play. The Nex Playground, by contrast, offers a much smaller library focused on active movement games and party-style experiences. For that reason, the games amount to simple physical challenges that kids can reasonably complete in a short period of time. They're nothing like Assassin's Creed or Monster Hunter. And to be clear: the games are good at what they're trying to do. They're colorful, accessible, and often genuinely fun to play together. Watching kids figure out coordination and timing - while laughing instead of melting down - is refreshing and something the gaming industry has lacked. But to compete with the likes of Xbox and PS5, Next Playground would need narrative depth, endless worlds, or progression systems. You know, the stuff that keeps older kids (and adults) hooked for months. If your household includes tweens, teens, or adults who care about high-quality gaming, the Nex Playground will not scratch the itch. Controls, motion gaming, and the "no controllers to break" Factor. One of the clearest ways the Nex Playground doesn't behave like a traditional console (and why the comparison is difficult) is how it's controlled. Instead of DualSense or Xbox controllers, the system relies on the built-in camera and AI motion tracking. They read body movements and translate it into action in the game. There's a tiny remote for navigation, but gameplay itself is entirely controller-free. As Creative Bloq put it, the Nex Playground "doesn't use controllers - your body is the controller," and the camera's AI tech manages to track motion "surprisingly well" whether you're slashing fruit or squatting in a fitness game. Why parents love this. I'm loving the controller-free approach. There's nothing for kids to lose under the couch or for you to step on in the middle of the night. Plus, unlike traditional consoles, where players often sit still for long stretches, Nex's games encourage jumping and dancing - it's a console that literally gets you moving. Meanwhile, the button- and joystick-free system is easy even for younger kids to pick up and learn. Nex Playground review: cost, subscriptions, and value. Let's talk money, because raising kids ain't cheap. The Nex Playground isn't a bargain buy, hovering around $349 to $249. It's less expensive than the PS5 ($538.99 on Amazon) or Xbox Series X ($649.99 on Amazon). However, for the full library of games, you'll pay an additional $89 per year. To be fair, the Nex subscription gives you access to the full library of games, with no in-game purchases or ads. Compare that to Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, which can add up if you start layering extra purchases or DLC. Still, there's a trade-off: the subscription is mandatory to access most games, so if you cancel, your kids are left staring at a very minimal cube. But for families looking for predictable monthly costs and no surprise spending, it's a fine deal. Can Nex Playground replace an Xbox or PS5? Honestly? I'll say it depends. If you're a hardcore gamer and your evenings involve stealth missions, open-world RPGs, or competitive online matches, Nex is a cute side activity, not a replacement. But, if you're a younger family, Nex Playground is a great Xbox or PS5 alternative, especially if you're on the fence about a video console in general. It's ideal for kids under 10, provides fun, active play, and the games wrap up in a reasonable amount of time. So, while it won't replace the drawn-out, immersive games of the mainstream consoles, Nex Playground is one of the most family-friendly gaming systems I've seen and could work to guide your kids to a healthier gaming style, if that's what you're after. Who should actually buy the Nex Playground. Let's simplify this. The Nex Playground is for families who: * Have younger kids: The motion controls, short game sessions, and easy-to-understand gameplay are perfect for ages 4 - 10. * Like shared play: Games are best with multiple players in the living room, encouraging movement and interaction. * Want screen-time limits: The curated library and short session lengths make it easy to enforce boundaries. Who it's not for: * Teens: They'll outgrow it fast unless they just like mini-movement games. * Competitive gamers: Motion controls aren't precise enough for esports-level gameplay. * Long solo players: If your kid wants to disappear into a story-driven epic for hours, Nex isn't going to cut it. In short, it's a console for families looking for safe, active play, and simplicity - not AAA graphics or endless libraries. Conclusion: A different kind of competition. At the end of the day, the Nex Playground isn't competing with gaming power or mechanics. What it does offer is peace of mind, ease of use, and getting kids moving. For parents with young kids, that's gold. Xbox and PS5 still dominate in depth and graphics, so they remain the consoles for serious gaming. But the Nex Playground is not here to take that crown. It's here for a certain (might I say, beautiful) phase of family life when kids need safe, active play session. If that's you right now, it's probably the console you'll use most. And honestly, sometimes that's worth more than high-resolution graphics or AAA titles. Lauren has been writing and editing since 2008. She loves working with text and helping writers find their voice. When she's not typing away at her computer, she cooks and travels with her husband and two daughters.
"The NHL is partnering with Nex Playground to offer kids an imaginative and safe way to play hockey, right in their living room," said David Lehanski, NHL Executive Vice President, Business Development & Innovation.
Additionally, Nex has partnered with Zumba to develop a motion-tracking fitness experience that brings the popular dance workout to home users.