Lead UI Programmer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead UI Programmer

Company: Epic Games

Location: Cary, North Carolina, United States (Multiple Locations in North America including CA & WA)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Development / Software Engineering / Technical Leadership

Date Posted: June 11, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the development and vision for core UI features within the highly acclaimed Rocket League, leveraging extensive C++ and UI development expertise.

• Mentor and guide a team of UI programmers, fostering a collaborative environment and acting as the primary communication hub between programming, design, and art disciplines.

• Translate complex, high-level feature requests into actionable development tasks, ensuring efficient and timely delivery of cutting-edge player experiences across multiple platforms.

• Drive architectural decisions and technical approaches for UI systems, ensuring scalability, maintainability, and adherence to aesthetic and functional requirements.

• Contribute directly to code development and system design, while also possessing the strategic foresight to scope projects accurately and manage team capacity effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership position within the game development vertical, specifically focusing on UI programming. The emphasis on "shipping AAA titles," "leading a team," and "live service game development" indicates a high level of responsibility and a need for proven experience in demanding, large-scale game production environments. The inclusion of "multiple locations in North America" suggests a distributed team structure or the possibility of relocation support.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Mentor and coach a team of UI programmers, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and career development support.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for UI programming-related communication, liaising effectively with game designers, artists, and backend engineers.

• Deconstruct high-level feature concepts and requirements into detailed, manageable work items for the UI programming team.

• Accurately assess and communicate project scope, identifying potential over- or under-scoping to ensure realistic timelines and resource allocation.

• Lead the architectural design and technical direction for critical UI systems and features, ensuring robust, scalable, and performant solutions.

• Collaborate closely with Art and Design Leads to translate visual designs and gameplay requirements into functional and aesthetically aligned UI elements.

• Integrate backend systems and services with the UI layer to support player progression, matchmaking, in-game economies, and other live service functionalities.

• Write clean, efficient, and maintainable C++ code, contributing directly to feature development and system implementation as needed.

• Review code, architecture, and technical proposals from team members, ensuring adherence to best practices and project standards.

• Participate in the full game development lifecycle, from concept and prototyping through to launch and post-launch live service support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a balance between technical leadership, team management, and hands-on coding. The emphasis on "distilling high-level feature requests," "delivering core UI functionality efficiently," and "proposing and reviewing architecture" underscores the strategic and execution-oriented nature of this lead role. Collaboration with "art and design leads" and "other programming disciplines" points to a highly integrated development process.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong educational background in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field is highly recommended. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of professional game development experience, with a significant portion focused on UI programming. Proven experience shipping multiple AAA titles across various platforms (PC, console, mobile preferred). Demonstrated experience in a lead or senior programmer role for shipped AAA titles.

Required Skills:

• C++ Proficiency: Advanced C++ programming skills, including modern C++ standards, object-oriented design, and performance optimization.

• UI Development Expertise: Deep understanding and practical experience with UI frameworks and methodologies, including layout, navigation, animation, and state management. Experience with Unreal Engine's UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) or similar robust UI systems is a strong asset.

• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage a team of programmers, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

• System Design & Architecture: Capability to design, implement, and review complex software systems and architectural patterns for scalability and maintainability.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Excellent ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with designers, artists, producers, and other engineering teams.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to innovate and find unique solutions to technical challenges.

• Live Service Game Development: Experience working on games with ongoing live service operations, including understanding of relevant technical considerations such as updates, patches, and online services.

Preferred Skills:

• Mobile Development: Experience developing and optimizing UI for mobile platforms.

• Unreal Engine Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Unreal Engine's UI tools, workflows, and best practices.

• Performance Optimization: Strong focus on optimizing UI performance for various hardware targets and ensuring smooth frame rates.

• Tool Development: Experience in developing or extending tools that support UI creation and implementation workflows.

• Scripting Languages: Familiarity with scripting languages that may be used in conjunction with C++ for UI logic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10+ Years" experience level, coupled with the requirement for "shipping AAA titles" and "leading a team," strongly suggests this role is for a highly experienced individual capable of independent technical direction and team management. The emphasis on C++ and UI development within the context of AAA games and live services implies a need for deep technical expertise and a pragmatic approach to complex development challenges.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Shipped AAA Titles: Showcase examples of UI systems or significant features contributed to at least one shipped AAA game title.

• Team Leadership Projects: Evidence of leading a programming team, including examples of project delegation, architectural oversight, and successful team collaboration.

• Complex UI Systems: Demonstrations of intricate UI systems designed and implemented, highlighting challenging aspects like dynamic layouts, data-driven interfaces, or complex animations.

• Performance Optimization Case Studies: Examples detailing how UI performance issues were identified, diagnosed, and resolved, with measurable improvements.

• Live Service Contributions: Projects that demonstrate experience with the technical considerations of live service games, such as implementing features that require backend integration or frequent updates.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Documented processes for how high-level feature requests are broken down into actionable tasks for a UI programming team.

• Code Review & Architecture: Examples of code review processes and architectural design documentation used to ensure code quality and system integrity.

• Cross-Disciplinary Integration: Case studies illustrating successful integration of UI elements with art assets and design specifications, detailing communication strategies and feedback loops.

• Performance Analysis & Iteration: Processes for analyzing UI performance, identifying bottlenecks, and iterating on solutions for continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead UI Programmer role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase technical skill in C++ and UI development but also demonstrate leadership capabilities, strategic thinking in system design, and a deep understanding of the game development pipeline, particularly for AAA and live service titles. The ability to articulate processes for team management, collaboration, and quality assurance will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• California: $182,255 - $267,307 USD per year

• Washington: $165,686 - $243,007 USD per year

Benefits:

• Generous benefit plans, likely including health, dental, vision, and life insurance.

• Discretionary incentive programs, which may include performance bonuses or profit-sharing.

• Potential for stock options or equity grants, common in the gaming industry for senior roles.

• Paid time off (PTO), holidays, and sick leave.

• Retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k) with potential company match.

• Employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime during crunch periods common in game development. Flexibility may be offered, but on-site presence is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary ranges are specific to California and Washington states, reflecting Epic Games' commitment to pay transparency. These ranges are competitive for a Lead UI Programmer role with 10+ years of experience in the gaming industry in these high-cost-of-living areas. The "Benefit plans" and "Discretionary incentive programs" are standard for large tech and gaming companies, suggesting comprehensive compensation beyond base salary.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Game Development / Technology. Epic Games is a leader in creating both critically acclaimed games and foundational engine technology.

Company Size: Large (Estimated 4,000+ employees based on LinkedIn data). This indicates a well-established organization with structured processes, but also ample opportunities for impact.

Founded: 1991. With over 30 years in the industry, Epic Games has a rich history and deep expertise in game development and technology innovation.

Team Structure:

• UI Programming Team: Likely a dedicated team focused on UI development, reporting to a Lead UI Programmer.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Integral to Epic's culture, with UI programmers working closely with dedicated teams of artists, designers, producers, and other engineering disciplines (e.g., gameplay, engine, backend).

• Reporting Hierarchy: The Lead UI Programmer will report to a Director or VP of Engineering/Programming, and will manage a team of individual contributor UI programmers.

Methodology:

• Agile/Scrum: Common in game development for iterative development, sprint planning, and continuous feedback.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Particularly important for live service games like Rocket League, where player data informs feature development and improvements.

• Focus on Quality & Innovation: Epic Games is known for pushing the boundaries of technology and delivering high-quality experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Epic Games' culture is characterized by innovation, collaboration, and a passion for gaming. As a large, established company, it offers stability and resources, while its focus on cutting-edge technology and game development provides an exciting and dynamic work environment. The "multiple locations" and "AAA titles" context suggest a global reach and high standards for development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior leadership position within the technical track of game development. It's a "player-coach" role, requiring both deep technical expertise and the ability to manage and develop a team.

Reporting Structure: The Lead UI Programmer will report to a senior engineering manager or director. They will be responsible for managing a team of UI programmers, acting as their primary technical and career mentor.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on the player experience within Rocket League. Well-designed and performant UI is crucial for player engagement, retention, and overall game satisfaction, directly influencing the success of a live service title.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Continued deepening of expertise in advanced UI systems, engine programming, or performance optimization.

• Management Track: Transition into higher-level engineering management roles, overseeing larger teams or multiple disciplines.

• Cross-Disciplinary Leadership: Opportunities to lead broader feature initiatives that span UI, gameplay, and engine programming.

• Studio/Project Leadership: Potential to move into lead roles on other Epic Games projects or studios, leveraging proven leadership and technical skills.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to the evolution of UI development practices and potentially speaking at industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement, either through continued technical leadership or by moving into broader management responsibilities. The experience gained leading a team on a major live service title like Rocket League is highly valuable and transferable within the gaming industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaborative, in-person work. Epic Games offices are typically designed to foster creativity and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Cary, NC, and other North American locations (e.g., WA, CA). The specific office will depend on the candidate's location and Epic's internal team distribution.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices likely feature open-plan areas, meeting rooms, and breakout spaces designed for seamless interaction between programmers, artists, and designers.

• State-of-the-Art Technology: Access to high-end development hardware, gaming consoles, and the latest versions of Unreal Engine and associated tools.

• Team Integration: Opportunities for frequent informal and formal interactions with the UI programming team and other development disciplines, promoting a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with the expectation of flexibility and dedication, especially during critical development phases ("crunch time"). The on-site requirement emphasizes the value placed on in-person collaboration and team cohesion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key differentiator. For a lead role, especially in a collaborative field like game development, face-to-face interaction is often prioritized for effective communication, problem-solving, and team building. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic, fast-paced office environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio by a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on C++ proficiency, UI development concepts, system design, and problem-solving abilities. This may involve live coding exercises or system design challenges.

• Team/Lead Interview: Meeting with the hiring manager and potential peers or direct reports to assess leadership style, communication skills, and cultural fit.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their work, discussing their contributions, technical approaches, and leadership experiences on past projects.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and overall fit for the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Leadership: Clearly articulate your role in leading teams, mentoring developers, and driving technical direction.

• Showcase Impact: For each project, clearly define the problem, your solution, and the measurable impact or outcome, especially for UI systems and player experience.

• Deep Dive on AAA & Live Service: Be prepared to discuss specific challenges and solutions related to shipping AAA titles and managing live service games.

• Technical Depth: Be ready to discuss your C++ code, architectural decisions, and performance optimization strategies in detail.

• Collaboration Stories: Provide concrete examples of how you collaborated with artists and designers to achieve project goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• System Design: Practice designing UI systems for complex scenarios (e.g., dynamic menus, in-game HUDs, player progression interfaces).

• C++ Problem Solving: Prepare for algorithmic and data structure problems, as well as object-oriented design challenges.

• Leadership Scenarios: Think through how you would handle common team management situations, such as conflict resolution, performance issues, or scope negotiation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, designed to assess both deep technical acumen in C++ and UI development, and proven leadership capabilities. A strong portfolio and the ability to articulate contributions and leadership experience effectively will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• C++: The primary programming language for Unreal Engine development.

• Unreal Engine: Specifically, proficiency with Unreal Engine's UI tools such as UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) for creating user interfaces, widgets, and visual scripting.

• Version Control: Git, Perforce, or similar systems for source code management.

• Debugging Tools: Visual Studio Debugger, Unreal Engine's built-in debugging tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• In-game Analytics Platforms: Tools for tracking player behavior, UI interaction, and game performance (e.g., proprietary Epic systems, third-party analytics).

• Performance Profilers: Unreal Engine's built-in profiling tools (e.g., GPU Visualizer, Unreal Insights) to identify UI performance bottlenecks.

CRM & Automation:

• Issue Tracking: Jira, Hansoft, or similar tools for managing development tasks, bugs, and features.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Jira, Confluence, or internal Epic systems for project planning and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expertise in C++ and Unreal Engine's UI framework (UMG) is paramount. Familiarity with version control and debugging tools is standard. For a live service game, understanding in-game analytics and performance profiling is crucial for optimizing the player experience and informing development decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Player-First: A core value in game development, ensuring that all technical decisions ultimately serve to enhance the player experience.

• Excellence & Innovation: A commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and delivering high-quality, polished experiences.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Ownership & Accountability: Taking responsibility for features, systems, and team performance.

• Continuous Improvement: A culture of learning, iterating, and refining processes and technology.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Open Communication: Encouraged across all levels and disciplines to foster transparency and quick problem-solving.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close working relationships between programming, art, and design are essential for creating cohesive game experiences.

• Feedback Culture: Constructive feedback is actively given and received to drive improvement in both individuals and the product.

📝 Enhancement Note: Epic Games values a culture of passionate, collaborative individuals who are dedicated to creating exceptional gaming experiences. The emphasis on player-first and continuous improvement aligns with the demands of developing and maintaining a major live service title.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Stability: Delivering cutting-edge UI features while ensuring the stability and performance of a live service game across multiple platforms.

• Managing Cross-Disciplinary Dependencies: Effectively coordinating with art and design teams who may have differing priorities or timelines.

• Technical Debt Management: Addressing and mitigating technical debt in a large, long-lived codebase like Rocket League's.

• Mentoring and Team Development: Successfully guiding and growing a team of UI programmers with varying experience levels.

• Scope Management: Accurately estimating and managing the scope of UI features to meet project deadlines.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Unreal Engine Features: Deep dive into new or specialized features of Unreal Engine relevant to UI and game development.

• Leadership Training: Opportunities to develop management and leadership skills through internal programs or external resources.

• Cross-Discipline Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of gameplay, engine, or backend programming to better integrate UI systems.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Attending events like GDC (Game Developers Conference) to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges inherent in leading development for a major live service AAA game. However, these challenges are also opportunities for substantial professional growth, particularly in technical leadership, team management, and understanding the full scope of game development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to distill a complex, high-level feature request into actionable tasks for your team. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, delegation, and results.)

• "How would you approach leading a UI programming team through a challenging 'crunch' period to ensure both quality and timely delivery?" (Assess leadership, stress management, and practical execution.)

• "Imagine a scenario where UI performance is significantly impacting player experience in Rocket League. How would you diagnose and address this issue with your team?" (Evaluate problem-solving, technical investigation, and collaborative solutions.)

• "Discuss your experience integrating UI systems with backend services. What are the key challenges, and how do you ensure a smooth integration?" (Probe technical understanding of live services and cross-discipline collaboration.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the prospect of working on Rocket League specifically, and Epic Games in general?" (Gauge passion, research, and cultural alignment.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive environment within your programming team and with other disciplines?" (Assess leadership style and teamwork approach.)

• "Describe your philosophy on mentoring junior programmers and supporting their career growth." (Understand your approach to team development.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an overview of your leadership experience and then dive into 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your skills in AAA UI development, team leadership, and live service game experience.

• Focus on Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your specific contributions (especially as a leader), the technical solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes or player benefits. Use metrics where possible.

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to walk through code snippets, architectural diagrams, or system designs. Explain why you made certain technical decisions.

• Collaboration Narrative: Weave in stories about how you collaborated with artists and designers, showcasing your ability to translate vision into reality.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their leadership experience in detail, providing concrete examples of how they've managed teams, driven technical direction, and contributed to the success of shipped AAA titles, particularly in a live service context. The portfolio presentation should be a narrative that highlights both technical prowess and leadership impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead UI Programmer position:

• Submit your application through the Epic Games careers portal via the provided job link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your C++ expertise, UI development experience, AAA title contributions, and proven team leadership skills. Prepare specific case studies demonstrating your ability to manage UI development for live service games.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your years of experience, specific shipped titles, leadership roles, and technical proficiencies relevant to Unreal Engine and game UI development.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience with leadership scenarios, technical challenges, and collaborative processes. Prepare to present your portfolio and discuss your approach to mentoring and team management.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Epic Games' history, its current game portfolio (especially Rocket League), and its company culture. Understand their commitment to innovation and player experience.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions based on the provided raw data and general industry knowledge. Salary ranges are estimates based on stated locations and experience levels. All details, including specific benefits, responsibilities, and interview processes, should be verified directly with Epic Games during the application and interview stages.