UI Developer, Meta (Unannounced project)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Developer, Meta (Unannounced project) Company: Wargaming Location: Belgrade, Serbia Job Type: Full-Time Category: Game Development Operations / UI Engineering Date Posted: August 14, 2025 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the implementation of critical UI elements for a new free-to-play PC/Console game, focusing on both front-end and in-game features.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UI artists, UX designers, gameplay developers, and backend engineers, to deliver high-performance and visually engaging user interfaces.
• Integrate dynamic and persistent player and game data by communicating effectively with backend services and the game engine.
• Contribute to the development of the game's meta-interface system and the core gameplay HUD, ensuring seamless user experience and operational efficiency.
• Leverage modern web technologies like React and Native JavaScript within a game development context, bridging the gap between web development best practices and game engine functionalities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UI Developer," the responsibilities and required skills indicate a specialized role within game development operations, specifically focusing on the technical implementation and integration of user interfaces. This role requires a blend of front-end development expertise and an understanding of game engine architecture and backend data communication.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Implement the Heads-Up Display (HUD) for core gameplay mechanics, ensuring real-time data updates and intuitive player interaction.
• Develop and integrate the game's meta-interface system, managing player progression, customization, and social features.
• Collaborate with UI/UX designers and artists to translate design mockups and wireframes into functional, performant, and visually appealing UI components.
• Work with backend services and the game engine to establish robust data pipelines for fetching and displaying dynamic player data, inventory, and game state information.
• Optimize UI performance to ensure smooth frame rates and responsiveness across target PC and console platforms, adhering to strict performance budgets.
• Participate in code reviews, providing constructive feedback to peers and ensuring adherence to coding standards and best practices for UI development in a game context.
• Troubleshoot and debug UI-related issues, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UI development processes and tools, sharing knowledge and insights with the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for a developer who can not only implement UI but also understand the underlying data structures and communication protocols required for a live, dynamic game service. Proficiency in integrating with backend systems is a key operational aspect of this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field is often preferred for roles requiring strong programming fundamentals. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience: Proven programming experience within the gaming industry is essential. A minimum of 2-5 years of experience specifically in developing user interfaces for games is targeted.

Required Skills:

• Proven programming experience in the gaming industry, with a portfolio showcasing relevant projects.
• Strong background in developing user interfaces across both front-end applications and in-game features.
• Proficiency in JavaScript, with specific experience in React and Native JS development.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-discipline feature teams, fostering collaboration and communication.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, essential for clear communication in a distributed and international team environment.
• Understanding of UI/UX principles and the ability to translate design into functional code.
• Experience with version control systems, such as Git.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with Gameface, a web-based UI engine for games.
• Experience developing for PC platforms, including understanding platform-specific requirements and optimizations.
• Experience developing for various console platforms (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch).
• Proven experience working with networked multiplayer games and understanding the associated challenges.
• Experience working with highly distributed and remote teams, requiring strong asynchronous communication skills.
• Experience operating and maintaining a live free-to-play game service, including understanding post-launch support and iteration.
• Familiarity with C++ or other game engine languages (e.g., C# for Unity, C++ for Unreal Engine) can be beneficial for deeper engine integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on React/Native JS for UI development within a game context is a specific technical requirement. The preferred skills point towards candidates who can adapt to different platforms and understand the complexities of live-service game operations, indicating a need for adaptable and experienced developers.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 significant UI projects, ideally from the gaming industry, demonstrating front-end and in-game UI implementation.
• Include examples of interactive UI components, meta-systems (e.g., menus, inventory, progression screens), and HUD elements.
• Provide clear documentation or explanations for each project, detailing your specific role, the technologies used (especially React/Native JS), and the challenges overcome.
• Demonstrate experience in integrating UI with data sources, simulating backend communication if direct integration is not feasible in personal projects.
• Highlight any projects that involved performance optimization for UI elements or cross-platform compatibility.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your process for translating UI/UX designs into functional code, including wireframing, prototyping, and iterative development.
• Discuss methods for ensuring UI responsiveness and performance across different screen resolutions and hardware capabilities.
• Explain your approach to debugging UI issues and collaborating with QA and design teams to resolve them efficiently.
• Describe how you manage dependencies and integrate UI code with game engine systems or backend services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical application of UI development skills in a gaming context. Emphasis should be placed on projects that show integration capabilities and performance considerations, which are key to successful game UI operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Mid-Level UI Developer (2-5 years experience) in Belgrade, Serbia, the estimated annual gross salary range would typically be between €25,000 and €45,000. This can vary based on specific experience, skill set, and the candidate's negotiation.

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 20 working days, increasing with seniority up to 25 days.
• Additional Paid Time Off: 5 Personal Days, Birthday Leave, Marriage Leave, Compassionate Leave.
• Health & Wellness: Sick Leave Compensation, Maternity Leave Benefits, Premium Private Health Insurance, Mental Well-being Program (iFeel), FitPass membership.
• Professional Development: Career development and education opportunities, English clubs and language learning platforms.
• Commuting & Office Perks: Commuting allowance, Coffee, fruits, and snacks in the office, On-site canteen with subsidized prices.
• Employee Engagement: Company events, Discounts for employees, Personal Gaming Account, Seniority Awards, Referral program.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid work model requires 4 days of work from the office, with the fifth day offering remote flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for mid-level software development roles in Belgrade, factoring in the specific requirements of game UI development. The comprehensive benefits package reflects Wargaming's commitment to employee well-being and professional growth within the Serbian market.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wargaming operates within the global online gaming industry, specifically as a developer and publisher of free-to-play multiplayer games. The company is known for its flagship titles like World of Tanks and World of Warships, indicating a focus on large-scale, long-term live-service games. Company Size: Wargaming has grown significantly since its founding in 1998, with 15 offices worldwide and a diverse, multicultural team. This indicates a large, established, and experienced organization with robust internal processes and a global operational footprint. Founded: Founded in 1998, Wargaming has over two decades of experience in the gaming industry, positioning it as a veteran player with deep expertise in game development, publishing, and live-service operations.

Team Structure:

• The UI Developer will likely be part of a dedicated game project team, reporting to a Lead UI Developer or a Technical Director.
• This team will be cross-functional, including UI artists, UX designers, gameplay programmers, backend engineers, and potentially QA testers.
• Collaboration with meta and gameplay teams is explicitly mentioned, suggesting a highly integrated development process where UI is not an afterthought but a core component.

Methodology:

• Wargaming likely employs agile development methodologies, common in the fast-paced gaming industry, allowing for iterative development and rapid adaptation to feedback.
• The emphasis on working with backend services and dynamic data suggests a strong focus on data-driven development and robust API integrations.
• Performance optimization and cross-platform consistency are critical operational considerations for live-service games, implying a rigorous approach to testing and quality assurance.

Company Website: https://www.wargaming.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Wargaming's long history and global presence suggest a stable yet dynamic work environment. The company culture likely values innovation, collaboration, and a passion for gaming, with a strong operational focus on delivering high-quality, continuously updated live-service products.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level, typically requiring 2-5 years of relevant experience. It's an opportunity to deepen expertise in game UI development, particularly with web technologies integrated into game engines, and to contribute to a significant unannounced project. Reporting Structure: The UI Developer will likely report to a Lead UI Developer or a Technical Lead within the game's development team. They will work closely with designers and other engineers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on achieving project milestones. Operations Impact: The UI Developer's work directly impacts player experience, engagement, and retention. A well-implemented and performant UI is critical for a free-to-play game's success, influencing player progression, monetization, and overall satisfaction. Efficient UI development processes contribute to faster iteration cycles and timely feature releases, which are vital for live-service operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in UI development for game engines, potentially exploring advanced topics like shader integration, complex animation systems, or performance profiling specific to UI.
• Platform Expertise: Gain experience across multiple platforms (PC, various consoles), understanding their unique UI requirements and development workflows.
• Leadership Potential: As experience grows, opportunities may arise to mentor junior developers, lead specific UI features, or transition into a Lead UI Developer role.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Exposure to gameplay programming, backend services, and art pipelines offers opportunities for broader understanding and potential career pivots within game development.
• Live Operations Experience: Contribute to the ongoing development and support of a live game, learning about the operational aspects of maintaining and updating a popular service.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within game development, particularly for those specializing in UI. The opportunity to work on an unannounced project provides a chance to shape a new product from its early stages, offering significant growth potential and impact.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, requiring 4 days of work from the Wargaming office in Belgrade. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to facilitate team interaction, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing, balanced with the flexibility of one remote day per week. Office Location(s): The primary work location is Belgrade, Serbia. Wargaming has a significant presence in Belgrade, indicating a well-established office with the necessary amenities and infrastructure for a modern tech company.

Workspace Context:

• The office workspace is likely equipped with high-performance workstations suitable for game development, including dual monitors and ergonomic setups.
• Expect a collaborative atmosphere with opportunities for face-to-face interaction with team members, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and efficient problem-solving.
• Access to internal development tools, game builds, and networking infrastructure will be provided to support the development process.
• The hybrid model allows for focused individual work on remote days and collaborative sessions, code reviews, and team sync-ups during office days.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical for full-time positions in the industry. Flexibility may be offered within the hybrid model, but core hours are usually expected for team collaboration, especially on office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is designed to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration and team building with individual flexibility. For UI developers, this hybrid approach can be ideal for both focused coding sessions and interactive design reviews.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and Wargaming.
• Technical Interview(s): Expect one or more technical interviews focusing on JavaScript, React, UI development principles, and problem-solving. This may include live coding challenges or discussions about past projects.
• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, discussing your contributions, technical choices, and the processes behind your projects. Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design and implementation decisions.
• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the hiring manager and potential team members to assess team fit, communication skills, and understanding of game development workflows.
• Final Interview: Potentially a final interview with a senior stakeholder to confirm suitability for the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your UI development skills, especially those using React/Native JS and demonstrating game-related UI implementation.
• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions to each project, especially if it was a team effort. Use "I" statements when discussing your work.
• Explain the "Why": For each project, be ready to discuss your design choices, technical decisions, challenges faced, and how you overcame them. Focus on problem-solving and efficiency.
• Demonstrate Process: Be prepared to talk about your development process, from understanding requirements to final implementation and testing.
• Showcase Performance: If possible, highlight any aspects of your projects that demonstrate performance optimization or efficient data handling.
• Visuals are Key: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Use clear screenshots, GIFs, or short video demonstrations of your UI work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Coding Challenges: Practice JavaScript and React coding problems, focusing on common data structures, algorithms, and UI component implementation.
• UI Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you would approach specific UI challenges, such as creating a responsive HUD, implementing a complex inventory system, or optimizing a loading screen.
• System Design: Consider how you would integrate a UI with backend services, handle asynchronous data, and manage application state.
• Company Research: Understand Wargaming's games, target audience, and recent news to demonstrate genuine interest and alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to thoroughly evaluate technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. A strong, well-presented portfolio is paramount for this role, as it serves as tangible proof of your capabilities in game UI development.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• JavaScript: The core language for front-end development.
• React: A leading JavaScript library for building user interfaces, expected to be a primary framework.
• Native JS: Refers to standard JavaScript or potentially frameworks/libraries that are not React-specific but are foundational.
• HTML/CSS: Essential for structuring and styling UI elements.
• Gameface (Preferred): A web UI engine specifically designed for game development, integrating web technologies into game engines.
• Version Control: Git (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket) for code management and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly specified for this role, understanding how UI performance and user interaction are tracked through analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, internal game analytics platforms) is beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to UI development, but familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana) used for tracking development tasks and workflows is common.
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines for deploying and testing UI updates might be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in React and JavaScript is non-negotiable. Experience with Gameface is a significant plus, indicating a need for developers who can bridge web technologies with game engines. Familiarity with version control is a standard requirement for collaborative software development.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-Centricity: A core value in gaming, ensuring that all UI decisions prioritize the player experience, engagement, and satisfaction.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Wargaming emphasizes working in cross-discipline teams, valuing open communication and mutual support to achieve common goals.
• Innovation and Creativity: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to game development, including creative solutions for UI design and implementation.
• Quality and Performance: A commitment to delivering high-quality, performant, and stable products, with UI performance being a critical aspect.
• Adaptability: The ability to adapt to evolving game designs, player feedback, and technological advancements in a dynamic industry.

Collaboration Style:

• Expect a highly collaborative environment where UI developers work closely with artists, designers, and other engineers.
• Open communication channels, regular stand-ups, and code reviews are standard practices to ensure alignment and quality.
• A constructive feedback culture is likely fostered, encouraging developers to share insights and improve together.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely reflects a passion for gaming, combined with a professional approach to development. Teamwork and a focus on delivering high-quality player experiences are central to Wargaming's operational ethos.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Technical Integration: Seamlessly integrating web-based UI technologies (like React) with a custom in-house game engine requires overcoming unique technical hurdles and potentially building custom bridges.
• Performance Optimization: Ensuring that complex UI elements remain performant across various PC hardware and console specifications is an ongoing challenge in game development.
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Maintaining a consistent UI experience and functionality across different platforms (PC, consoles) requires careful planning and execution.
• Dynamic Data Management: Effectively handling and displaying dynamic and persistent player data in real-time requires robust backend communication and efficient frontend rendering.
• Rapid Iteration: The fast-paced nature of game development, especially for live services, means adapting quickly to design changes and player feedback.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UI Frameworks: Deepen expertise in React and explore other modern UI development patterns and libraries.
• Game Engine Integration: Gain in-depth knowledge of Wargaming's in-house engine and how to best integrate UI systems within it.
• Cross-Platform Development: Learn the intricacies of developing for PC and multiple console platforms.
• Performance Profiling: Develop skills in identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks in UI rendering and data handling.
• Live Service Operations: Understand the lifecycle of a live game, including post-launch updates, community feedback integration, and operational challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges that are also excellent growth opportunities. Tackling these challenges will build a strong skill set in a specialized and in-demand area of game development operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• UI Implementation: "Describe your process for taking a UI design mock-up and turning it into a functional, performant in-game UI element using React/Native JS."
• Performance Optimization: "How would you diagnose and fix a performance issue in a complex game UI, such as a laggy inventory screen or an unresponsive HUD?"
• Data Integration: "Explain how you would integrate a UI component to fetch and display player-specific data from a backend API, considering potential network latency and data updates."
• Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with UI artists and UX designers to ensure the final UI meets both aesthetic and functional requirements?"
• Problem Solving: "Describe a challenging UI bug you encountered and how you approached debugging and resolving it."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Wargaming and this specific unannounced project?"
• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends in UI development and game development?"
• "What are your thoughts on working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with distributed teams?"
• "How do you handle constructive criticism on your code or design choices?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as stories, highlighting the problem, your solution, and the outcome.
• Technical Depth: Be ready to dive into code specifics if asked, explaining your choices regarding state management, component structure, and performance.
• Metrics Focus: Quantify your achievements where possible. For example, "Reduced loading time of the character customization screen by 15% by optimizing image loading and component rendering."
• Interactive Demo: If possible, have a live demo or interactive prototype ready to showcase the feel and functionality of your UI work.
• Concise Explanations: Keep your explanations clear and to the point, ensuring you cover the essential details without overstaying your welcome on any single project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just technical skill but also a clear understanding of the development lifecycle, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative spirit expected in a game development team. Emphasizing how your work contributes to the overall player experience and game operations is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Developer position at Wargaming:

• Submit your application through the provided Greenhouse link, ensuring your CV is in English as requested.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest React/Native JS UI projects, ideally with examples relevant to game interfaces (menus, HUDs, meta-systems). Highlight your specific contributions and the technical challenges you addressed.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as "UI Development," "React," "Native JS," "Gameface," "PC Development," and "Console Development." Quantify your achievements and responsibilities where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice answering common UI development interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving process, collaboration strategies, and ability to explain technical concepts clearly. Prepare a concise and compelling walkthrough of your portfolio.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Wargaming's game portfolio, company mission, and recent news. Understand their position in the gaming industry and the types of experiences they offer to players.

⚠️ 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.