Artiste technique sénior·e UI

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Artiste technique sénior·e UI

Company: Gearbox Quebec

Location: Montréal, Quebec, Canada / Quebec, Canada

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Technical Art / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-10-01

Experience Level: Senior (6+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the establishment of best practices and optimal workflows for UI systems within a leading game development studio.

• Drive the implementation of core UI materials, ensuring alignment with artistic vision and technical feasibility.

• Collaborate closely with UI programmers to develop and integrate new engine features that enhance user interface capabilities.

• Conduct in-depth memory and performance analysis throughout the project lifecycle to ensure an optimized player experience.

• Create efficient and user-friendly shaders for in-game UI elements, balancing visual appeal with technical constraints.

• Analyze and articulate technical challenges related to UI art and UX design concepts to cross-functional teams.

• Research and develop prototypes for artistic pipelines, facilitating the realization of innovative ideas.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of Senior Technical UI Artist at Gearbox Quebec is positioned as a leadership and foundational role, focusing on establishing and advancing the technical art standards for UI systems. This implies a significant impact on the overall quality and efficiency of UI development within the studio, requiring a blend of deep technical expertise, artistic sensibility, and strong collaborative skills. The emphasis on "establishing standards" and "leading implementation" suggests a proactive and influential position within the art and technical teams.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and document UI art best practices, standards, and efficient workflows in collaboration with UI artists and their teams.

• Partner with UI programmers to design, implement, and refine new engine features and tools for UI development.

• Proactively monitor and analyze memory usage and performance metrics of UI elements throughout the game development cycle.

• Design, create, and optimize shaders for UI elements, ensuring they are visually appealing, performant, and easy to integrate.

• Clearly communicate technical limitations, challenges, and potential solutions for UI art and UX design concepts to stakeholders.

• Research emerging technologies and techniques, developing prototypes to explore new artistic pipelines and UI functionalities.

• Provide technical guidance and support to UI artists and designers, assisting them in overcoming implementation hurdles.

• Contribute to the overall art direction and technical vision for the user interface across multiple game titles.

• Ensure UI assets and systems meet the memory and performance targets for current-generation platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a significant focus on process improvement and technical innovation within the UI art domain. The Senior Technical UI Artist is expected to not only execute tasks but also to proactively identify areas for enhancement, mentor team members, and contribute to the long-term technical strategy for UI development at Gearbox Quebec.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Digital Art, Game Design, or a related field is often beneficial for understanding both technical and artistic principles. Equivalent industry experience will also be highly valued.

Experience: 6+ years of experience in the game industry, with a significant portion focused on technical art, UI art, or related disciplines.

Required Skills:

• Extensive knowledge and practical expertise with Unreal Engine 5.

• Proficient in Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG) for UI layout and scripting.

• Deep understanding of Unreal Engine's material editor and shader creation capabilities.

• Proven ability to analyze and optimize memory usage and runtime performance for UI systems.

• Strong collaborative skills, with experience working effectively in multidisciplinary teams (artists, programmers, designers, producers).

• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and devise innovative solutions to complex technical challenges.

• Self-starter with a strong capacity for independent work and problem-solving.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Preferred Skills:

• Practical knowledge of High-Level Shading Language (HLSL) or OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL).

• Hands-on experience with Python scripting or other programming languages for tool development or pipeline automation.

• Proficiency in 3D modeling applications (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max) and image editing software (e.g., Photoshop, Substance Painter).

• Experience developing for current-generation gaming platforms (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5).

• Familiarity with other game engines such as Unity or proprietary engines.

• A strong balance between creative/visual aesthetics and technical proficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Required Skills" emphasize a deep, hands-on expertise in Unreal Engine 5 and its UI tools, alongside critical performance analysis capabilities. The "Preferred Skills" suggest a desire for candidates who can contribute beyond core UI, offering broader technical art support and cross-platform development experience, indicating a role that values versatility and a forward-thinking approach to game development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase of complex UI systems developed using Unreal Engine 5, demonstrating proficiency in UMG and material creation.

• Examples of optimized UI shaders that balance visual complexity with performance efficiency.

• Case studies detailing the process of analyzing and improving UI memory footprint and runtime performance.

• Demonstrations of prototyping efforts for new UI features or artistic pipelines.

• Evidence of collaboration on technical art challenges within game development projects.

• Projects that highlight innovative solutions to UI art or UX design technical hurdles. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document established best practices and workflows for UI art asset creation and integration.

• Clear articulation of the process for analyzing and mitigating UI performance bottlenecks.

• Documentation of shader creation methodologies and optimization techniques.

• Examples of how technical challenges were identified, communicated, and resolved through a defined process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Technical UI Artist role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not only display finished UI assets but also provide tangible evidence of the candidate's ability to solve complex technical problems, optimize performance, and establish robust development processes. Demonstrating the "how" behind the "what" through detailed case studies is crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Technical UI Artist in Montréal or Quebec City, Canada, with 6+ years of experience, the estimated salary range is CAD $95,000 - $135,000 annually. This range reflects the seniority of the role, the high demand for specialized technical art skills in the gaming industry, and the cost of living in major Canadian tech hubs.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., RRSP matching).

• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and workshops.

• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Canada.

• Access to the latest gaming hardware and software for development.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and stock options.

• Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week. However, the gaming industry often involves periods of crunch time, especially leading up to project milestones and releases. The studio aims for a sustainable work-life balance, but flexibility may be required during critical development phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior technical art roles in Canada, considering factors like experience, location (Montréal and Quebec City are significant tech and gaming hubs), and the specialized nature of Unreal Engine 5 UI expertise. Benefits are standard for the tech and gaming industry in Canada, with a focus on comprehensive coverage and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development / Entertainment Software. Gearbox Studio Quebec is a key player in the AAA game development space, known for its work on iconic franchises. This means a fast-paced, creative, and technically demanding environment.

Company Size: Part of 2K, which is a label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Gearbox Studio Quebec itself is a substantial studio, implying a well-structured organization with dedicated departments and resources.

Founded: Gearbox Studio Quebec was established to expand Gearbox's development capabilities in Canada. Gearbox Software itself was founded in 1999. This history provides a foundation of experience and established methodologies.

Team Structure:

• The UI team likely comprises UI Designers, UI Artists, and Technical UI Artists, working collaboratively.

• As a Senior Technical UI Artist, you would report to a Lead UI Artist, Art Director, or Technical Art Director.

• Close collaboration with UI Programmers, Gameplay Programmers, and other art disciplines (e.g., environment, character, VFX) is essential. Methodology:

• Data-driven development, with a strong emphasis on performance analysis and player feedback.

• Agile development methodologies are common in game development, requiring adaptability and iterative progress.

• Focus on establishing and maintaining high-quality standards for all game assets and systems.

Company Website: www.GearboxSoftware.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Gearbox Quebec's connection to Gearbox Software and Take-Two Interactive places it within a large, established gaming ecosystem. The culture is expected to be passionate about game creation, with a blend of creative freedom and rigorous technical execution, typical of AAA development studios.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level position, indicating a leadership role within the UI art discipline. It signifies an expectation of mentorship, technical ownership, and significant contribution to project direction and team development. The focus is on specialized technical expertise applied to UI systems.

Reporting Structure: You will likely report to a Lead UI Artist or Technical Art Director, working closely with UI Designers and UI Programmers. This structure allows for direct contribution to UI development while also providing a clear path for technical guidance and oversight.

Operations Impact: As a Senior Technical UI Artist, your impact is critical to the player's overall experience. A well-designed, performant, and intuitive UI is fundamental to game accessibility and engagement. Your work will directly influence how players interact with the game's systems, menus, and information, contributing significantly to player satisfaction and the game's commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advance to Lead Technical UI Artist or Technical Art Director roles, managing teams and defining technical strategies.

• Specialize further in advanced shader development, engine architecture, or UI/UX optimization.

• Transition into broader Technical Art leadership roles, overseeing multiple art disciplines.

• Mentor junior and mid-level artists, developing future talent within the studio.

• Contribute to R&D for new engine features and UI technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior Technical UI Artist role is a crucial stepping stone for individuals looking to lead technical art initiatives within the gaming industry. The growth path emphasizes increasing responsibility, strategic input, and the potential to shape the technical direction of UI development for major game franchises.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site," indicating a traditional studio environment. This fosters direct collaboration, spontaneous brainstorming, and a strong sense of team cohesion, which is often vital in creative fields like game development.

Office Location(s): Montréal, Quebec, Canada and Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. These are vibrant cities with growing tech and gaming scenes, offering a good quality of life and access to industry talent.

Workspace Context:

• Access to high-end development hardware and software, including powerful workstations and the latest versions of Unreal Engine.

• Collaborative studio spaces designed to encourage interaction and knowledge sharing among team members.

• Opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to the development of innovative game titles.

• A culture that values both individual contribution and collective team success.

Work Schedule: While typically 40 hours per week, the gaming industry is known for project-based intensity. Expect standard office hours with potential for extended periods ("crunch time") leading up to major milestones, balanced by periods of more predictable schedules. The on-site nature facilitates clear boundaries when not in crunch.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a company that prioritizes in-person collaboration and team synergy, which is common in creative industries like game development where spontaneous interaction can fuel innovation. The locations in Quebec offer a strong talent pool and a vibrant tech community.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio for relevant experience and technical skills.

• Technical Interview: Deep dive into Unreal Engine 5 expertise, shader development, performance analysis, and problem-solving scenarios. This may include live coding or engine demonstrations.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their best work, explaining their technical approach, challenges faced, and solutions implemented. Emphasis on UI systems, optimization, and shader complexity.

• Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with UI Designers, UI Programmers, and potentially other art leads to assess collaboration style and communication skills.

• Final Interview: Discussion with hiring manager or studio leadership to assess cultural fit, leadership potential, and overall strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Technical Prowess: Clearly demonstrate your mastery of Unreal Engine 5, UMG, and material editor. Highlight complex shader graphs and intricate UI systems.

• Emphasize Optimization: Include specific examples of how you've analyzed and improved UI performance (memory, frame rate). Quantify your impact where possible (e.g., "reduced UI memory by X%").

• Detail Your Process: For each project, explain your thought process, the technical challenges, the solutions you devised, and the tools you used. Use diagrams or flowcharts if helpful.

• Artistic Integration: While technical skill is key, also show an understanding of UI/UX principles and how your technical solutions support good design and player experience.

• Prepare for Live Engine Demos: Be ready to open Unreal Engine and demonstrate aspects of your work, or walk through a provided scene.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a technical challenge, which might involve creating a specific UI element in Unreal Engine, optimizing a given shader, or diagnosing a performance issue within a sample project.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially under pressure.

• Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving methodology and your ability to adapt to new constraints or requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a Senior Technical UI Artist is rigorous, focusing heavily on practical application and problem-solving. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates technical solutions and performance improvements is the most critical component for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Unreal Engine 5: The core engine for development; deep expertise required, particularly in UMG and Material Editor.

• Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG): Primary tool for UI layout, widget creation, and visual scripting for UI logic.

• Unreal Engine Material Editor: For creating and optimizing shaders for UI elements.

• 3D Modeling Software: (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max) for creating UI assets that may require 3D elements.

• Image Editing Software: (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo) for creating 2D UI assets, textures, and icons.

• Substance Suite: (e.g., Substance Designer, Substance Painter) for advanced texture creation if applicable to UI elements.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Unreal Engine Profiling Tools: (e.g., Unreal Insights, Stat commands) for memory and performance analysis.

• Custom Debugging Tools: Potentially developed or utilized for specific UI performance monitoring.

CRM & Automation:

• Version Control Systems: (e.g., Perforce, Git) for asset management and collaboration.

• Python Scripting: For pipeline automation, tool development, and editor extensions within Unreal Engine.

• HLSL/GLSL: For advanced shader programming beyond the visual editor.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expertise in Unreal Engine 5's UI ecosystem (UMG, Material Editor) is non-negotiable. Proficiency in performance analysis tools and scripting languages like Python are key differentiators for a senior role, enabling efficiency and advanced customization.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Craft: A commitment to high-quality, polished user experiences that meet AAA standards.

• Innovation and Iteration: Encouraging experimentation with new technologies and iterative refinement of UI systems.

• Collaboration and Communication: Fostering an environment where open communication and teamwork are paramount.

• Problem-Solving and Resilience: Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and finding creative solutions.

• Player-Centricity: Designing and implementing UI with the end-user's experience as the primary focus.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with UI Designers, UI Programmers, Gameplay Teams, and other Art Disciplines to ensure cohesive game experiences.

• Constructive Feedback: A culture of providing and receiving feedback openly and constructively to improve work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share expertise, best practices, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: Gearbox Quebec's culture likely emphasizes passion for games, technical excellence, and a collaborative spirit. As a senior member, you'll be expected to embody these values and help foster them within your team, contributing to a positive and productive development environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Performance and Aesthetics: Constantly striving to create visually stunning UI elements that remain performant across various hardware configurations.

• Evolving Technologies: Keeping pace with the rapid advancements in game engine technology, shaders, and UI/UX design trends.

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring UI systems function and look great across different platforms (PC, consoles).

• Complex Project Demands: Adapting to the intense schedules and evolving requirements of AAA game development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Access to internal training sessions and workshops focused on Unreal Engine advancements and technical art techniques.

• Opportunities to attend industry conferences (e.g., GDC) to learn about the latest trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship from experienced technical art leads and directors within Gearbox.

• The chance to work on diverse AAA titles, providing exposure to different game genres and development challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for technical growth by tackling complex challenges inherent in AAA game development. The studio's commitment to learning and development, combined with the complexity of the work, provides a fertile ground for career advancement in technical art.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UI Optimization Strategy: "Describe your process for identifying and resolving UI performance bottlenecks in Unreal Engine. Can you provide an example where you significantly improved UI performance?" (Focus on methodology, tools, and quantifiable results.)

• Shader Design Philosophy: "How do you approach creating shaders for UI elements? What factors do you consider to balance visual complexity, performance, and ease of use for other artists?" (Highlight your understanding of shader principles and practical application.)

• Collaboration and Communication: "Imagine a situation where a UI designer's vision for an element is technically challenging or impacts performance. How would you approach this conversation and find a solution?" (Demonstrate your ability to communicate technical constraints effectively and collaborate on solutions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding Gearbox: "What excites you about working at Gearbox Quebec, and what specific contributions do you envision making to our UI development?" (Show you've researched the company and its games.)

• Team Dynamics: "How do you typically collaborate with UI programmers and other artists? What is your approach to mentoring junior team members?" (Assess your fit within a team environment and your leadership potential.)

• Technical Vision: "Where do you see UI technology heading in game development in the next 3-5 years, and how should a studio like ours prepare?" (Demonstrate forward-thinking and strategic insight.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem you solved, your technical approach, and the positive outcome (e.g., improved performance, enabled new features, enhanced player experience).

• Quantify Achievements: Use metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., memory reduction percentages, frame rate improvements).

• Showcase Technical Depth: Be prepared to walk through your material graphs, UMG blueprints, or shader code, explaining your choices and optimizations.

• Tell a Story: Frame your projects as narratives of problem-solving and technical innovation, making your presentation engaging and memorable.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily emphasize practical problem-solving, clear articulation of technical processes, and demonstrating a proactive, collaborative approach. Your portfolio is your primary tool; be ready to dissect it and discuss every technical decision made.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Technical UI Artist position:

• Submit your resume and a comprehensive portfolio through the Greenhouse application portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects showcasing your Unreal Engine 5 UI expertise, shader development, and performance optimization capabilities. Tailor your presentation to highlight work relevant to AAA game development.

• Resume Optimization: Craft your resume to clearly articulate your 6+ years of industry experience, emphasizing your technical skills, specific achievements in UI development, and contributions to shipped titles. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your technical processes, problem-solving methodologies, and collaborative approach. Be ready to present your portfolio and discuss your contributions in detail. Research Gearbox's games and their UI/UX.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Gearbox's history, their major franchises (Borderlands, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands), and their stated values. Understand their position in the industry and what makes their games unique.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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