Senior UI Technical Artist

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Technical Artist

Company: 2K Sports Lab

Location: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Development / Technical Art

Date Posted: 2026-05-26T17:41:37

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Bridge the critical gap between engineering and art teams, ensuring seamless integration of technical art solutions within Unreal Engine 5.

• Develop and implement advanced UI screens, HUDs, and widget blueprints by leveraging backend code functionality and custom MVVM/UMG scripting.

• Drive the creation of high-performing content workflows and develop tools that enhance the quality of life and efficiency for UI Artists.

• Optimize art assets and solutions to meet specific style guidelines, technical requirements, and production constraints, while maintaining comprehensive workflow documentation.

• Craft and maintain a universal UI widget and screen template library, utilizing custom MVVM and UMG code to establish reusable components and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on the intersection of technical art and UI development within the context of AAA game production, emphasizing proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 and its associated scripting and shader pipelines. The emphasis on "backend code functionality developed by our engineers" suggests a need for strong communication and understanding of API integrations for UI elements.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering teams to understand and integrate backend code functionality into dynamic UI screens and HUDs.

• Utilize Unreal Engine 5's robust feature set, including Blueprints and node-based shader networks, for rapid prototyping and iteration of UI elements.

• Partner with Art Leads and fellow Artists to define and implement efficient content creation workflows and develop custom tools that streamline the UI art pipeline.

• Ensure all developed UI solutions adhere to artistic style guides, technical specifications, and production timelines, meticulously documenting workflows and providing training materials.

• Design and build a comprehensive, reusable UI widget and screen template library using custom MVVM architecture and UMG scripting for consistent and scalable UI implementation.

• Develop sophisticated UI shaders that meet the complex visual requirements of UI artists, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and interactivity of the game's interface.

• Maintain daily communication with cross-functional teams, including art, engineering, and design, to ensure technical art solutions remain aligned with project objectives and quality standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities suggest a proactive role in not only executing tasks but also in defining processes and building foundational systems for the UI art team. The emphasis on documentation and training implies a mentorship or lead-like contribution to the team's knowledge base.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and a deep understanding of technical art principles in game development is paramount.

Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience as a Technical Artist, with a proven track record of at least one AAA game title shipped, preferably developed using Unreal Engine.

Required Skills:

• Extensive experience with Unreal Engine 5, including proficiency in its Blueprint visual scripting system for tool development and UI implementation.

• Demonstrated ability to build and manage UI screens and HUDs, integrating them with game logic and backend systems.

• Expertise in node-based shader networks, such as those found within the Unreal Editor, for creating visually compelling UI effects.

• Strong understanding of shader languages like HLSL or CgFX from a technical artist's perspective, enabling custom shader development.

• Proficiency in modern industry-standard 3D software, including Maya for modeling and animation, and Substance Designer/Painter for texture creation.

• Experience with UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) scripting for UI development.

• Proven ability to establish and optimize content creation workflows and develop tools for artists.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Unreal Engine's Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) architecture for UI development.

• Familiarity with developing diegetic UI elements that are integrated into the game world environment.

• Experience with Houdini for procedural content generation or complex asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for at least one AAA shipped title and specific Unreal Engine experience points to a need for candidates who can hit the ground running in a high-stakes production environment. The "Beneficial Qualifications" indicate a strong preference for candidates experienced with more advanced or recently adopted UE UI patterns.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of projects showcasing expertise in technical art, with a significant focus on UI development within Unreal Engine.

• Demonstrations of complex UI/HUD implementations, including examples of interactive elements, animations, and integration with game systems.

• Case studies detailing the creation of custom tools or workflow enhancements for UI artists, highlighting efficiency gains and problem-solving approaches.

• Examples of advanced shader development for UI elements, illustrating creative use of node-based networks and shader languages.

Process Documentation:

• Documented examples of established and optimized content creation workflows, particularly for UI assets and systems.

• Detailed explanations of processes used for prototyping and iterating on UI functionality and visual design.

• Records of how performance optimization was integrated into the UI art pipeline, addressing frame rate, memory, and loading time considerations.

• Examples of how user feedback or testing was incorporated into the refinement of UI elements and systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is crucial for this role. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their projects, explaining the technical challenges, their solutions, the tools and techniques used, and the impact on the final product, particularly concerning UI performance and artist efficiency.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated base salary for this position in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, is between CAD $96,400 and CAD $142,660 per year. This range is subject to adjustment based on the candidate's specific qualifications, including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Basic life insurance.

• Generous paid time off: 14 paid holidays annually, 15 to 25 days of paid vacation per year (or eligibility for discretionary time off), and up to 10 paid sick days per year.

• Family and wellbeing support: Paid parental leave, compassionate leave, comprehensive wellbeing programs for mental health, and family planning support through Maven.

• Commuter benefits and fitness-related expense reimbursements.

• Retirement and investment plans: Eligibility to participate in the 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

• Performance-based compensation: Potential for bonus and/or equity awards.

Working Hours: While the specific number of hours is not explicitly stated beyond standard full-time employment, a typical 40-hour work week is assumed. The role's on-site nature may allow for some flexibility in daily scheduling, but consistent availability during core business hours is expected for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the information specified in the job description for the British Columbia region. The benefits package is extensive, covering health, wellness, financial planning, and time off, reflecting a commitment to employee well-being and retention, which is typical for established AAA game development studios.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development. 2K Sports Lab is a new studio within the larger 2K Games ecosystem, focusing on pushing boundaries for a new groundbreaking sports franchise. This implies a culture that values innovation, risk-taking, and high-quality output.

Company Size: 2K is a large, established game publisher. 2K Sports Lab is a new studio, suggesting a dynamic environment that combines the resources of a major corporation with the agility and pioneering spirit of a startup.

Founded: 2K Sports Lab was founded in 2023, indicating a relatively new entity within the company, likely driven by a specific vision for a new sports franchise. This newness suggests an opportunity to shape culture and processes from the ground up.

Team Structure:

• The Technical Art team is likely composed of specialists focused on bridging art and engineering. This Senior role suggests a potential for mentorship or leadership within a growing team.

• Collaboration is expected to be cross-functional, involving close partnerships with UI Artists, Gameplay Engineers, and potentially other art disciplines and leads.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven UI Development: Emphasis on using backend code functionality and performance metrics to inform UI design and implementation.

• Workflow Optimization: A core tenet of the role is to improve the efficiency and quality of life for UI artists through better tools and processes.

• Iterative Design: The opportunity to "prototype and iterate" highlights a methodology that embraces experimentation and refinement throughout the development cycle.

Company Website: https://www.2k.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: As a new studio (2K Sports Lab), the culture is likely still being defined. However, being part of 2K implies a commitment to quality and a competitive spirit common in the AAA gaming industry. Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced, innovative environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Technical Artist role, indicating a mid-to-late career stage. It requires significant independent contribution, problem-solving, and the ability to guide and mentor others. The role is crucial for the technical foundation of the game's UI.

Reporting Structure: The Senior UI Technical Artist will likely report to a Lead Technical Artist, Art Director, or potentially a UI Lead. They will work closely with UI Artists, UI Engineers, and other members of the art and engineering departments.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and significant impact on the player experience through the quality, performance, and interactivity of the game's UI. By improving workflows and developing robust systems, this role contributes to faster development cycles, higher art quality, and ultimately, a more polished and successful game title.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in Unreal Engine UI systems (UMG, MVVM), shader development, and cross-platform UI optimization.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Progress into Lead Technical Artist roles, managing aspects of the art pipeline, mentoring junior artists, and contributing to art direction.

• Cross-Disciplinary Growth: Expand knowledge into adjacent areas like engine programming, VFX, or general technical art for other game systems.

• Studio Influence: As part of a new studio, there's an opportunity to influence best practices, tool development, and the overall technical direction of the UI art discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: Senior roles in game development often provide opportunities for both technical deepening and leadership development. The "new studio" aspect can amplify these opportunities, allowing individuals to shape processes and contribute to the studio's growth trajectory.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The job description explicitly states "at our new Vancouver, BC location" and does not mention remote work options, indicating a requirement for physical presence in the office.

Office Location(s): Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. This location is within the Greater Vancouver area, a major hub for game development.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role necessitates daily communication and close collaboration with art, engineering, and design teams, suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to foster teamwork.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard hardware and software, including powerful workstations capable of running Unreal Engine 5, Maya, Houdini, Substance Suite, and other relevant development tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with colleagues, facilitating quick problem-solving, knowledge sharing, and team cohesion within the new studio.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time employment is indicated. While specific daily hours aren't detailed, the on-site nature implies adherence to typical office working hours, with potential for some flexibility. The fast-paced game development environment might also involve periods of crunch time leading up to milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Burnaby suggests that candidates should be local or willing to relocate. The collaborative workspace is a key aspect of game development studios, fostering a dynamic and interactive atmosphere conducive to rapid iteration and problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational technical art skills, Unreal Engine experience, and UI development expertise.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions and potentially live coding/scripting challenges focusing on Unreal Engine Blueprints, UMG, shader logic, and 3D software proficiency. Expect questions about problem-solving methodologies and workflow optimization.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their work, detailing technical challenges, solutions, and their impact on game development, with a focus on UI projects.

• Team/Cultural Fit Interview: Discussion with potential team members and leads to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and alignment with the studio's culture.

• Final Interview: Discussion with senior management to finalize the offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight UI Expertise: Showcase projects specifically demonstrating your UI/HUD development skills in Unreal Engine, including interactive elements and visual polish.

• Demonstrate Technical Depth: Clearly explain the technical challenges faced in your projects, your innovative solutions, and the tools/languages used (e.g., Blueprints, UMG, HLSL, MVVM).

• Showcase Workflow Improvements: Include examples of tools or processes you've developed to enhance artist efficiency, with quantifiable results if possible.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Be ready to discuss your approach to specific UI technical art problems, such as optimizing complex menus, implementing dynamic UI elements, or creating unique shader effects.

• Explain Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in team projects, and how you collaborated with engineers and artists.

Challenge Preparation:

• Unreal Engine Proficiency: Brush up on Blueprint scripting, UMG widget creation, material editor, and common UI patterns.

• Shader Fundamentals: Review node-based shader creation and the principles of HLSL/CgFX.

• 3D Software & Texturing: Be prepared to discuss your workflow in Maya and Substance Suite for creating UI assets.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Think about how you would approach common technical art challenges related to UI performance, asset integration, and workflow bottlenecks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for senior technical roles in game development is rigorous. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates technical problem-solving and impact, coupled with the ability to discuss these in detail, is paramount. The emphasis on UI suggests that candidates should tailor their portfolio and preparation to highlight this specific area of expertise.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Unreal Engine 5: The core engine for game development, with a strong emphasis on its UI systems (UMG, MVVM), Blueprint scripting, and Material Editor.

• Maya: Industry-standard 3D modeling and animation software, essential for creating UI elements, icons, and potentially animated UI assets.

• Substance Designer/Painter: Critical for creating high-quality textures and materials for UI assets, ensuring visual fidelity and style consistency.

• Houdini (Preferred): A powerful procedural generation tool that can be leveraged for complex UI elements, dynamic effects, or asset creation pipelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Unreal Engine Profiler: Tools within the engine for performance analysis, identifying bottlenecks in UI rendering, scripting, and memory usage.

• Custom Analytics Tools: Potentially proprietary or integrated tools for tracking UI interaction data and player behavior, used to inform design and optimization.

• Performance Metrics: Standard metrics such as frame rate (FPS), draw calls, memory usage, and loading times, which must be monitored and optimized.

CRM & Automation:

• Version Control Systems (e.g., Perforce, Git): Essential for managing game assets and code in a collaborative development environment.

• Project Management Software (e.g., Jira, Asana): Used for task tracking, bug reporting, and workflow management within the development team.

• Internal Tools/Scripts: The role may involve developing or utilizing custom scripts (e.g., Python in Maya) to automate repetitive tasks in asset creation or integration workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Unreal Engine 5, particularly its UI capabilities, is non-negotiable. Familiarity with the broader AAA game development toolchain, including 3D modeling, texturing, and version control, is also expected. The "Beneficial Qualifications" suggest that experience with MVVM and diegetic UI is highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to high-quality, robust, and performant technical art solutions.

• Collaboration & Communication: Open and proactive communication with all team members to ensure alignment and efficient problem-solving.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging bold ideas and exploring new technical and artistic approaches to game development.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive to streamline workflows, improve asset pipelines, and optimize game performance.

• Problem-Solving: A proactive and analytical approach to identifying and resolving technical challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with UI Artists, Engineers, and Designers to ensure seamless integration of UI elements into the game.

• Proactive Feedback: Regularly sharing insights, providing constructive feedback, and seeking input from colleagues to improve work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to the team's collective knowledge base through documentation, training, and informal discussions.

• Iterative Process: Embracing a culture where ideas are tested, refined, and improved upon through continuous iteration and collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a new studio suggests a culture that is likely entrepreneurial, adaptable, and focused on building something impactful. Candidates who are comfortable with ambiguity and eager to contribute to shaping processes will likely thrive.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Artistry and Performance: Constantly finding the optimal balance between visually stunning UI and maintaining high game performance across various platforms.

• Integrating Complex Systems: Effectively bridging the gap between potentially complex backend code and the visual requirements of the UI.

• Tool Development & Maintenance: Creating and maintaining robust tools and workflows that are intuitive and efficient for UI artists, requiring ongoing support and updates.

• Evolving Technology: Staying current with the rapid advancements in Unreal Engine, shader technology, and UI design patterns.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Unreal Engine Mastery: Opportunities to become a deep expert in Unreal Engine's UI systems, shader capabilities, and performance profiling tools.

• Leadership Development: Potential to grow into a Lead Technical Artist role, managing projects and mentoring junior team members.

• Industry Exposure: As part of 2K, there may be opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, and engage with other AAA development studios.

• Skill Expansion: Learning and applying new technologies and techniques, such as advanced shader programming, procedural generation with Houdini, or emerging UI frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to senior technical art roles in AAA game development, particularly in UI. The growth opportunities are significant, especially within a new studio where individuals can have a substantial impact and shape their career trajectory.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to significantly optimize a complex UI system for performance. What steps did you take, and what were the results?" (Focus on technical problem-solving, optimization techniques, and metrics.)

• "How would you approach building a reusable UI widget library in Unreal Engine using MVVM and UMG? What are the key considerations for scalability and maintainability?" (Assess understanding of architecture, best practices, and system design.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working on a new AAA sports franchise at a new studio like 2K Sports Lab?" (Gauge enthusiasm for the project, studio, and industry.)

• "How do you approach collaborating with engineers who may have different priorities or technical perspectives?" (Assess communication, diplomacy, and cross-functional teamwork.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role and solution, the tools/tech used, and the outcome/impact.

• Focus on UI & Technical Art: Emphasize projects that showcase your UI development, shader work, tool creation, and problem-solving abilities within Unreal Engine.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, provide metrics on performance improvements, workflow efficiencies gained, or challenges overcome.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed technical questions about your implementations, shader logic, and workflow decisions.

• Showcase Collaboration: If applicable, highlight how you worked with others and how your contributions facilitated team success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only technical proficiency but also strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, serving as the primary evidence of their capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior UI Technical Artist position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your 6+ years of experience as a Technical Artist, with specific emphasis on AAA game development, Unreal Engine 5, UI/HUD creation, UMG scripting, shader development, and 3D software proficiency. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest UI-focused technical art projects. Ensure they clearly demonstrate your skills in Unreal Engine, shader networks, 3D asset creation, and workflow optimization. Prepare to discuss each project in detail, focusing on technical challenges and solutions.

• Prepare for Technical Discussions: Review Unreal Engine 5 features, Blueprint scripting, UMG, shader languages (HLSL/CgFX), and common 3D asset pipelines. Be ready to answer questions about your experience and problem-solving approaches.

• Research 2K Sports Lab: Understand the company's mission, the focus on a new sports franchise, and the values of a new studio. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.