Senior Expert UI Engineer - Treyarch (Los Angeles) at Activision

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Expert UI Engineer - Treyarch (Los Angeles)

Company: Activision

Location: Playa Vista, California, United States

Job Type: On-site

Category: Engineering

Date Posted: 2025-05-30

Experience Level: 13+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

Design, write, debug, and refine UI systems and architecture, collaborating with UI/UX artists and designers.
Spearhead the development of innovative experiences and provide mentorship to less experienced engineers.
Work closely with cross-functional teams to create and improve UI systems and features for various aspects of the game.
Contribute to game architecture and technical designs and postmortems.
Perform data and code analysis to identify improvement opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong background in UI engineering and a passion for game design. The ideal candidate will have experience shipping game titles and a deep understanding of UI/UX flow and function design in games.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

Design, write, debug, and refine UI systems and underlying architecture, working in C/C++ and other languages in the context of a large cross-platform codebase.
Work closely with UI/UX Artists and Designers, as well as other members of the development team.
Spearhead development of innovative experiences.
Contribute to game architecture and technical designs and postmortems.
Perform data and code analysis to identify improvement opportunities.
Provide mentorship to less experienced engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role involves a high degree of collaboration with various teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills. The ideal candidate will be able to adapt to a fluid, changing environment as creative challenges constantly evolve.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A B.S. in Computer Science or equivalent experience is required.

Experience: 13+ years of proven experience in UI Engineering roles or similar positions with experience shipping game titles.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in C/C++
Proficiency in scripting language such as Python or Lua
Advanced knowledge of algorithms and data structures
Advanced optimization and debugging skills
Strong math skills - especially linear algebra and 3D vector math
Game knowledge and an understanding of UI/UX flow and function design in games
Able to collaborate with other engineers and non-technical team members

Preferred Skills:

Advanced programming specialty, such as low level network programming, High Level Shader Language (HLSL), SSE assembly, etc.
Expertise and passion in one or more of the following areas: AI, Animation, or General Gameplay

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role requires a strong technical background, the ideal candidate will also possess strong communication and collaboration skills, as well as a passion for making games.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a strong understanding of UI/UX design principles and game design concepts.
Showcase your ability to design, implement, and optimize UI systems and features in a large codebase.
Highlight your experience with C/C++ and other relevant programming languages.
Include examples of your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and adapt to changing environments.

Process Documentation:

Include documentation of your design process, showcasing your ability to research, ideate, and iterate on UI designs.
Demonstrate your ability to validate and test UI designs, incorporating user feedback and data-driven decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role does not explicitly require a portfolio, demonstrating your design process and showcasing your ability to create and optimize UI systems and features in a large codebase will be crucial for success in this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $146,000.00 - $270,004.00 Annual

Benefits:

Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others
If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is the standard base pay range for this role in the U.S. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Entertainment Providers

Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees

Founded: 1996

Team Structure:

The role is part of the Engineering team at Treyarch, a studio known for creating award-winning games like the Call of Duty: Black Ops series and pioneering the fan-favorite Zombies mode.
The Engineering team at Treyarch is responsible for creating and improving game features, systems, and architecture.
The role will collaborate closely with UI/UX Artists and Designers, as well as other members of the development team.

Methodology:

The role requires a strong understanding of game design principles and UI/UX flow and function design in games.
The ideal candidate will have experience shipping game titles and a deep understanding of UI/UX design principles.
The role involves a high degree of collaboration with various teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills.

Company Website: http://www.activisionblizzard.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Activision Blizzard is one of the world’s largest interactive entertainment companies, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The company is home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises, including Call of Duty®, Skylanders®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™, and Bubble Witch™. The company is known for its collaborative and creative work environment, with a strong focus on employee growth and development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: Senior Expert UI Engineer

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Engineering Manager at Treyarch.

Design Impact: The role has a significant impact on the user experience of the game, working closely with UI/UX Artists and Designers to create and improve UI systems and features.

Growth Opportunities:

As a Senior Expert UI Engineer, the role offers the opportunity to mentor less experienced engineers and contribute to the growth and development of the Engineering team at Treyarch.
The role also provides the opportunity to work on innovative experiences and contribute to game architecture and technical designs and postmortems.
With 13+ years of experience in UI Engineering, the ideal candidate will have the opportunity to take on more complex and challenging projects and advance their career within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to take on more complex and challenging projects and advance their career within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: On-site

Office Location(s): Playa Vista, California

Design Workspace Context:

The role is based at the Treyarch studio in Playa Vista, California, offering a collaborative and creative work environment.
The studio is home to a diverse and talented team of designers, artists, and engineers, working together to create award-winning games.
The role will have access to state-of-the-art design tools and resources, as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week)

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a full-time on-site presence, with the opportunity to work in a collaborative and creative work environment alongside a diverse and talented team of designers, artists, and engineers.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

The design interview process for this role will involve a series of technical and behavioral interviews, assessing the candidate's technical skills and cultural fit.
Candidates can expect to be asked about their experience with UI/UX design principles, game design concepts, and their ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
The interview process may also include a portfolio review and a case study presentation, allowing candidates to showcase their design process and creative problem-solving skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your ability to design, implement, and optimize UI systems and features in a large codebase.
Include examples of your experience with C/C++ and other relevant programming languages.
Showcase your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and adapt to changing environments.
Include documentation of your design process, showcasing your ability to research, ideate, and iterate on UI designs.

Challenge Preparation:

Prepare for technical challenges that assess your ability to design, implement, and optimize UI systems and features in a large codebase.
Brush up on your knowledge of UI/UX design principles and game design concepts.
Practice your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss your design process and creative problem-solving approach.

ATS Keywords: UI Engineering, Game Design, C/C++, Python, Lua, Algorithms, Data Structures, Optimization, Debugging, Linear Algebra, 3D Vector Math, Collaboration, Game Knowledge, Mentorship

📝 Enhancement Note: The design interview process for this role is designed to assess the candidate's technical skills and cultural fit, with a focus on their ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and adapt to changing environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

C/C++ - Used for designing, writing, debugging, and refining UI systems and underlying architecture in a large cross-platform codebase.
Python or Lua - Used for scripting and automation tasks, as well as for prototyping and rapid prototyping.

Collaboration & Handoff:

Version control systems, such as Git, are used for collaboration and code management.
Project management tools, such as Jira or Trello, are used for task tracking and project coordination.

Research & Testing:

User research methods, such as surveys, user testing, and focus groups, are used to gather user feedback and inform design decisions.
Data analysis tools, such as Excel or Google Sheets, are used to analyze user data and identify trends and insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires proficiency in C/C++, with a strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and game UI/UX design principles. Familiarity with scripting languages, such as Python or Lua, is also beneficial for this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

User-centered design - The role requires a deep understanding of game design principles and UI/UX flow and function design in games, with a focus on creating intuitive and engaging user experiences.
Collaboration - The role involves a high degree of collaboration with various teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills.
Innovation - The role offers the opportunity to work on innovative experiences and contribute to game architecture and technical designs and postmortems.
Mentorship - The role provides the opportunity to mentor less experienced engineers and contribute to the growth and development of the Engineering team at Treyarch.

Collaboration Style:

The role requires strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with UI/UX Artists and Designers, as well as other members of the development team.
The role involves a high degree of collaboration with various teams, requiring strong communication and teamwork skills.
The role provides the opportunity to work on innovative experiences and contribute to game architecture and technical designs and postmortems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with UI/UX Artists and Designers, as well as other members of the development team. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and team player, with a passion for creating intuitive and engaging user experiences.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

Working with a large cross-platform codebase - The role requires experience working with large codebases and the ability to implement elegant, high-performing updates and extensions that work well within a collaborative environment.
Keeping up with industry trends and best practices - The role requires a strong understanding of game design principles and UI/UX flow and function design in games, with a focus on creating intuitive and engaging user experiences.
Managing complex projects and tight deadlines - The role involves working on complex projects with tight deadlines, requiring strong project management and time management skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical skill development - The role offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and tools, allowing for continuous learning and skill development.
Career progression - With 13+ years of experience in UI Engineering, the ideal candidate will have the opportunity to take on more complex and challenging projects and advance their career within the company.
Mentorship and leadership development - The role provides the opportunity to mentor less experienced engineers and contribute to the growth and development of the Engineering team at Treyarch.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant learning and development opportunities, with the potential to work with cutting-edge technologies and tools, mentor less experienced engineers, and take on more complex and challenging projects.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

Prepare to discuss your design process, showcasing your ability to research, ideate, and iterate on UI designs.
Be prepared to discuss your experience with UI/UX design principles, game design concepts, and your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Prepare to discuss your problem-solving skills and your ability to design, implement, and optimize UI systems and features in a large codebase.

Company Culture Questions:

Prepare to discuss your understanding of the company's design culture and your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Be prepared to discuss your experience with game design principles and your ability to create intuitive and engaging user experiences.
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex projects and tight deadlines, and your ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project goals.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Highlight your ability to design, implement, and optimize UI systems and features in a large codebase.
Include examples of your experience with C/C++ and other relevant programming languages.
Showcase your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and adapt to changing environments.
Include documentation of your design process, showcasing your ability to research, ideate, and iterate on UI designs.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

Submit your application through this link
Highlight your experience with UI/UX design principles, game design concepts, and your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Prepare a portfolio showcasing your ability to design, implement, and optimize UI systems and features in a large codebase.
Research the company's design culture and prepare for design process and company culture questions.
Practice your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss your design process and creative problem-solving approach.

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

Senior Expert UI Engineer - Treyarch (Los Angeles)