Senior UI Engineer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Engineer

Company: Lighthouse Games

Location: Royal Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Development / UI Engineering

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and maintain high-performance user interface (UI) systems within a game engine environment.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including artists and designers, to translate concepts into functional and engaging UI elements.

• Ensure UI components are optimized for various screen sizes, resolutions, and performance targets.

• Implement robust debugging and troubleshooting strategies to resolve UI-related issues throughout the game development lifecycle.

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry best practices in UI engineering and game development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is for a Senior UI Engineer within a new AAA game studio, emphasizing collaboration, performance optimization, and a strong understanding of UI/UX principles within a game development context. The hybrid work arrangement suggests a blend of on-site and remote work, requiring strong self-management skills and effective virtual collaboration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain sophisticated user interface systems within the game engine, focusing on scalability and performance optimization.

• Collaborate with UI/UX designers and game artists to define, create, and refine UI assets, ensuring visual fidelity and functional integrity.

• Translate detailed design mockups, wireframes, and prototypes into fully functional and interactive user interfaces within the game.

• Develop and implement responsive UI layouts that adapt seamlessly to different screen resolutions, aspect ratios, and platform requirements.

• Proactively identify, debug, and resolve complex UI-related bugs and technical issues, ensuring a smooth and polished user experience.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of UI development processes, tools, and workflows to enhance efficiency and quality.

• Mentor junior engineers on UI development best practices, coding standards, and effective problem-solving techniques.

• Research and integrate new UI technologies and techniques to enhance game interactivity and visual appeal.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a senior-level contribution, focusing not just on implementation but also on system design, optimization, cross-functional leadership, and process improvement within the UI engineering domain for AAA game development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Game Design, or a related field is typically expected for senior-level roles in this industry. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in UI engineering, with a significant focus on game development.

Required Skills:

• C++ Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in C++ for robust and performant UI development.

• Unreal Engine Expertise: In-depth experience with Unreal Engine, including its UI systems (e.g., UMG - Unreal Motion Graphics).

• UI/UX Principles: Strong understanding of user interface and user experience design principles, accessibility standards, and best practices.

• Version Control Systems: Proficient use of Git for source code management, branching, merging, and collaborative development workflows.

• Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proven ability to debug complex technical challenges.

• Game Engine Integration: Experience integrating UI elements and systems seamlessly within a game engine environment.

• Performance Optimization: Demonstrated ability to optimize UI performance for real-time applications, minimizing draw calls and memory usage.

• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment, communicating technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other game engines or UI frameworks.

• Familiarity with scripting languages relevant to game development.

• Knowledge of graphics pipelines and rendering techniques for UI.

• Experience with performance profiling tools.

• Understanding of animation systems for UI elements.

• Passion for video games and a strong portfolio showcasing UI engineering contributions to shipped titles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are highly specific to game UI engineering, emphasizing technical depth in C++ and Unreal Engine, alongside critical soft skills like problem-solving and collaboration. The preferred skills indicate areas where candidates can further differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UI System Architecture: Showcase examples of how you've designed and implemented scalable UI systems, detailing architectural decisions and their benefits.

• Performance Optimization Case Studies: Present detailed case studies demonstrating your ability to identify and resolve UI performance bottlenecks, including metrics before and after optimization.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Include projects where you effectively collaborated with designers and artists, illustrating your process for translating concepts into functional UI and managing feedback loops.

• Responsive Design Implementation: Provide evidence of UI elements and layouts that adapt effectively across different resolutions and aspect ratios, with explanations of the implementation strategy.

• Code Samples: Where possible, provide clean, well-documented code samples that highlight your C++ proficiency and understanding of game engine UI frameworks.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate experience in designing and documenting UI development workflows, from initial concept to final implementation and iteration.

• Issue Tracking & Resolution: Illustrate your approach to tracking, prioritizing, and resolving UI-related bugs and technical issues using issue tracking systems.

• Performance Analysis & Reporting: Show examples of how you measure, analyze, and report on UI performance, including the tools and methodologies used.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior UI Engineer role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase finished products but also the candidate's thought process, problem-solving abilities, and technical depth in system design, optimization, and collaboration. This section emphasizes demonstrating the 'how' and 'why' behind their work.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior UI Engineers with 5-10 years of experience in the UK, particularly in the gaming sector, the estimated salary range for this role in Royal Leamington Spa would be approximately £60,000 - £85,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, portfolio, and negotiation.

Benefits:

• Generous Holiday Allowance: 25 days of annual leave, plus an additional day for your birthday.

• Studio Shutdown: Paid time off between Christmas and New Year (3 days).

• Performance-Based Incentives: Discretionary Bonus Scheme to reward individual and company success.

• Retirement Planning: Private Pension Scheme to support long-term financial security.

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Private Healthcare, including Dental Care and Optical treatments.

• Holistic Well-being Support: Health and Well-Being Benefits, with dedicated Mental Health Support.

• Professional Development: Learning & Development Days to foster continuous skill enhancement.

Working Hours: A standard full-time work week is expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement allowing for flexibility. Specific daily hours may be discussed during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on common UK tech and gaming industry compensation data for senior roles, adjusted for location. The benefits package is comprehensive, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, which is common for established studios.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development (AAA focus). Lighthouse Games is positioned within the highly competitive and innovative AAA gaming sector, aiming to create top-tier interactive entertainment experiences.

Company Size: A new AAA studio, implying a growing team with a significant initial investment and ambition. This often means a dynamic environment where individuals can have a substantial impact.

Founded: Lighthouse Games is a new studio, founded recently with a clear mission to build a best-in-class game. This suggests a culture focused on innovation, rapid development, and establishing new standards.

Team Structure:

• Core Development Team: Comprised of experienced professionals with a "pedigree of talent," suggesting a high level of expertise and ambition across disciplines.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Emphasis on close collaboration between UI Engineers, artists, and designers to achieve a cohesive game experience.

• Reporting: Senior UI Engineers likely report to a Lead UI Engineer or Technical Director, with direct interaction with project leads and game directors.

Methodology:

• Agile/Iterative Development: Likely employs agile or iterative development methodologies to facilitate rapid prototyping, feedback, and continuous improvement.

• Performance-Driven Design: A strong focus on technical excellence and performance optimization is inherent to AAA game development.

• User-Centric Approach: The role's focus on UI/UX principles underscores a commitment to creating intuitive and enjoyable player experiences.

Company Website: lighthousegames.com

📝 Enhancement Note: As a new AAA studio, Lighthouse Games likely cultivates a culture of high performance, innovation, and collaboration, attracting top talent. The "pedigree of talent" suggests a team of seasoned professionals, and the "serious ambition" points towards a results-oriented environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior UI Engineer. This role is a mid-to-senior level position within the engineering discipline, requiring a strong technical foundation, proven experience, and the ability to contribute to architectural decisions and mentor others.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Lead UI Engineer or a Technical Director, with close collaboration with Art Directors, UI/UX Designers, and other engineering leads.

Operations Impact: The UI Engineer directly influences the player's experience, affecting usability, immersion, and overall satisfaction with the game. High-quality UI is critical for AAA titles, impacting engagement and retention metrics.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in advanced UI systems, graphics programming, or specific engine features.

• Lead/Management Track: Progress to Lead UI Engineer, overseeing a team, architectural direction, and project delivery.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exploration: Move into related areas like gameplay programming, engine architecture, or technical art.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to projects that achieve critical acclaim and commercial success, building a strong professional reputation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Senior UI Engineer role offers a clear path for career advancement within game development, either through deepening technical expertise or moving into leadership roles. The impact on the player experience is significant, making it a critical function for any game studio.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Lighthouse Games is located in Royal Leamington Spa, a known hub for game development. The "Hybrid" work arrangement suggests a modern studio environment that balances collaborative on-site work with remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): Royal Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom. This location offers a good base within the UK's thriving game development scene.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The hybrid model implies a need for well-equipped office spaces designed for team collaboration, meetings, and focused work.

• Technology Access: Access to powerful development hardware, software licenses (Unreal Engine), and efficient network infrastructure will be essential.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for in-person brainstorming, code reviews, and social interaction with colleagues, fostering a strong team culture.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule is expected, likely with core hours for collaboration, but the hybrid nature provides flexibility. The emphasis on "Learning & Development Days" suggests a culture that supports continuous professional growth alongside project work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role suggests a modern work environment that values both collaboration and individual flexibility. The focus on a AAA game implies a professional and well-resourced studio.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on C++, Unreal Engine, UI/UX principles, and problem-solving scenarios. This may involve live coding challenges or architectural design discussions.

• Portfolio Review Session: A dedicated session where you present and discuss your past UI engineering projects, highlighting your contributions, technical decisions, and impact.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Meeting with potential colleagues and leads to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with Lighthouse Games' culture.

• Final Interview: A meeting with senior leadership to discuss the role, your career aspirations, and finalize any offers.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest UI engineering projects that best demonstrate your skills relevant to AAA game development and the requirements of this role.

• Showcase Technical Depth: For each project, clearly articulate the technical challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the specific technologies (C++, Unreal Engine, UMG) you utilized.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your UI solutions (e.g., performance improvements, reduction in bug reports, positive player feedback).

• Highlight Collaboration: Explain your role within the team, how you collaborated with designers and artists, and how you integrated their feedback into your work.

• Prepare a Walkthrough: Be ready to walk through your code, design documents, or prototypes, explaining your thought process and decision-making.

Challenge Preparation:

• Practice C++ & Unreal Engine: Revisit core C++ concepts and common Unreal Engine UI patterns. Be prepared for questions on memory management, performance, and engine-specific APIs.

• UI/UX Scenarios: Think about how you would approach designing and implementing complex UI flows or solving common UI usability issues in games.

• Problem-Solving Exercises: Practice breaking down technical problems, articulating your approach, and considering edge cases.

• Company Research: Understand Lighthouse Games' mission, recent news (if any), and their ambition to create AAA titles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a senior role will be rigorous, with a strong emphasis on technical proficiency and the ability to articulate complex technical concepts and project contributions. A well-prepared portfolio is critical for demonstrating practical skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• C++: The core programming language for engine-level UI development.

• Unreal Engine: The primary game engine, including its integrated UI system (UMG - Unreal Motion Graphics).

• Git: Essential for version control and collaborative development.

• Visual Studio / IDE: For C++ development, debugging, and code analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Unreal Engine Profiling Tools: For diagnosing UI performance issues (e.g., frame rate, memory usage).

• Custom Analytics Frameworks: Potentially integrated into the game to track UI interaction and user behavior.

CRM & Automation:

• Jira / Azure DevOps / Similar: For issue tracking, project management, and workflow management.

• Perforce / SVN (Less Common): While Git is preferred, some studios might still use these for large-scale asset management.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in C++ and Unreal Engine's UMG is paramount. Familiarity with standard game development tools for version control and project management is also expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished UI that meets AAA standards.

• Collaboration: Fostering a team environment where artists, designers, and engineers work in synergy.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative solutions and the adoption of new technologies to push boundaries.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of tasks, delivering on commitments, and contributing to team success.

• Passion for Games: A genuine enthusiasm for video games and the desire to create memorable player experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: UI Engineers are integral members of development teams, working closely with artists and designers from concept to completion.

• Iterative Feedback: Open to constructive feedback and actively participating in design and code reviews to refine UI elements.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, technical solutions, and lessons learned within the engineering and broader development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lighthouse Games' culture, as a new AAA studio, is likely driven by a passion for game creation, a commitment to quality, and a collaborative spirit essential for complex game development projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• AAA Scale & Performance: Developing UI that is both visually stunning and highly performant across various hardware configurations is a significant challenge.

• Cross-Discipline Integration: Effectively bridging the gap between artistic vision, design intent, and technical implementation requires strong communication and problem-solving skills.

• Rapid Iteration: The dynamic nature of game development often requires quick adaptation and iteration on UI designs and systems.

• Technical Complexity: Managing complex UI states, data binding, and interactions within a large-scale game engine.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Engine Features: Gaining deeper expertise in Unreal Engine's rendering, animation, and scripting systems related to UI.

• Emerging UI Technologies: Exploring new tools, frameworks, or techniques that could enhance future game UIs.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced engineers and artists, and potentially mentoring junior team members.

• Project Impact: Contributing to a high-profile AAA title that will be seen and played by a global audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers substantial challenges inherent to AAA game development, providing significant opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement in a cutting-edge environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI system you designed and implemented in Unreal Engine. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure performance and scalability?" (Focus on architecture, C++, UMG, optimization)

• "How do you approach translating a static UI mockup from a designer into a dynamic, interactive element within a game engine? What are the potential pitfalls?" (Focus on collaboration, process, problem-solving)

• "Imagine you've identified a significant performance bottleneck in the game's UI. Walk me through your process for diagnosing, fixing, and verifying the solution." (Focus on debugging, profiling, metrics) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Lighthouse Games and our ambition to build a new AAA title?" (Show genuine interest in the company's mission and your role in it)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism on your UI designs or code from artists, designers, or other engineers?" (Demonstrate openness to feedback and collaborative problem-solving)

• "Describe a time you had to balance artistic requirements with technical constraints. How did you reach a solution?" (Highlight your ability to mediate and find optimal compromises) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For each project, tell a story that highlights the problem, your solution, and the outcome.

• Technical Deep Dive: Be prepared to discuss the specific C++ code, Unreal Engine features, and design patterns you used.

• Visuals are Key: Use screenshots, videos, or live demos to showcase the UI in action.

• Focus on Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in team projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating technical expertise, problem-solving skills, collaborative ability, and a genuine passion for game development and Lighthouse Games' specific project goals.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Engineer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects showcasing your C++ and Unreal Engine UI development expertise, particularly those demonstrating performance optimization and cross-functional collaboration. Tailor the presentation to highlight relevance to AAA game development.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly highlight your years of experience, specific C++ and Unreal Engine skills, UI/UX knowledge, and any shipped AAA titles or complex projects you contributed to. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience with concrete examples, especially for technical questions related to C++, Unreal Engine, and UI/UX challenges. Be ready to present your portfolio and discuss your problem-solving methodologies.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lighthouse Games' mission, the types of games they aim to create, and their current stage of development. Understand the importance of UI in AAA gaming.

⚠️ 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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