Senior UI Technical Designer (TEMP) – Unannounced Game | Irvine, CA

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UI Technical Designer (TEMP) – Unannounced Game

Company: Blizzard Entertainment

Location: Irvine, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary (6 months)

Category: Game Development - UI Technical Design

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (8+ years with AAA shipping experience)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Mix of remote and on-site days)

🚀 Role Summary

• Bridging Design and Engineering: This role is crucial for translating complex UI design concepts into technically robust and implementable systems within a game engine, minimizing dependency on core engineering teams.

• Empowering Designers: The primary objective is to build and maintain UI systems and workflows that allow UI designers to independently create, modify, and iterate on UI content, fostering rapid prototyping and development cycles.

• Technical Foundation for UI: You will be instrumental in defining and implementing the technical UI architecture, ensuring it is scalable, maintainable, and performs optimally across various platforms and devices.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This position requires close partnership with UI Engineers, artists, game designers, and audio teams to ensure seamless integration of UI visuals, motion, and interactive feedback within the game.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the "Senior" title and the emphasis on "shipping at least one AAA game," this role implies a significant level of autonomy and responsibility. The focus on empowering designers suggests a need for strong mentorship and documentation skills, as well as the ability to anticipate future technical needs and proactively evolve UI systems. The temporary nature of the role indicates a need for someone who can quickly integrate, deliver impactful results within a defined timeframe, and potentially transition to a permanent role if performance and business needs align.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• UI System Development & Support: Design, implement, and maintain robust UI systems and workflows that enable UI designers to independently create and modify UI content with minimal engineering intervention.

• Technical Design & Implementation: Serve as the primary technical liaison between UI design and engineering, translating design requirements into practical, efficient, and scalable technical solutions.

• Unity UI Implementation: Build and maintain UI layouts, styles, and behaviors utilizing Unity's UI systems, including UI Builder, layout tools, and Visual Scripting.

• Cross-Disciplinary Partnership: Collaborate closely with UI Engineers to ensure UI systems are architecturally sound, scalable, maintainable, and performant across target platforms.

• Content Integration & Cohesion: Work hand-in-hand with artists, game designers, and audio specialists to ensure that UI visuals, motion design, and interactive feedback are cohesive, production-ready, and align with the overall game experience.

• Technical Issue Resolution: Diagnose, debug, and resolve technical issues related to UI implementation, performance, and stability within the game engine.

• Documentation & Best Practices: Create and maintain clear, comprehensive documentation for UI workflows, systems, and best practices to ensure consistent adoption and understanding across the team.

• Risk Mitigation & System Evolution: Proactively identify potential UI technical risks and evolve UI systems to accommodate future content, tooling requirements, and evolving team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of direct implementation, system design, and strategic foresight. The emphasis on "empowering designers" and "minimal engineering dependency" suggests the need for creating reusable components, intuitive tools, and clear documentation. The role also requires strong problem-solving skills for debugging and performance optimization within the Unity engine.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of UI technical design principles is paramount. Relevant educational backgrounds in Computer Science, Game Design, or Graphic Design with a technical focus are beneficial.

Experience: 8+ years of professional game development experience with a primary focus on UI design, technical design, or UI implementation, including the successful shipping of at least one AAA game with significant UI scope.

Required Skills:

• Game Engine UI Implementation: Hands-on experience designing, implementing, and iterating on UI systems directly within a game engine environment.

• Unity UI Expertise: Extensive experience with Unity UI systems, including UI Builder, advanced layout tools, data-driven UI concepts, and Visual Scripting or similar declarative UI tools.

• Scripting Proficiency: Solid scripting ability (e.g., C#, Lua, or equivalent) to support UI systems, behaviors, and custom tooling as needed.

• UI Architecture Understanding: Strong knowledge of modern game UI architecture, common workflows, and best practices, with a proven track record of supporting scalable and maintainable UI systems.

• Debugging & Problem-Solving: Exceptional debugging and problem-solving skills, specifically concerning UI implementation, performance bottlenecks, and runtime stability.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven experience working effectively across disciplines, including design, engineering, art, and audio teams.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, with the capacity to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Designer-Centric Mindset: A strong ownership mentality, a collaborative approach, and a designer-first perspective when navigating ambiguous and evolving technical environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Data-Driven UI/MVVM: Experience working with data-driven UI architectures or Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) patterns.

• Live Game Support: Experience supporting live, patchable UI content and utilizing addressable asset workflows for dynamic content delivery.

• Accessibility Focus: Familiarity with accessibility considerations and best practices in UI design and implementation.

• Genre & Platform Passion: A genuine passion for a wide variety of game genres and a broad understanding of different gaming platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "8+ years" and "shipping at least one AAA game" requirement indicates a need for seasoned professionals who can hit the ground running. The emphasis on Unity, UI Builder, and Visual Scripting points to specific technical proficiencies expected. The bonus points for MVVM and data-driven UI suggest the company is looking for candidates who can implement modern, efficient UI paradigms.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• UI System Demonstrations: Showcase examples of UI systems you have designed and implemented, highlighting their architecture, scalability, and maintainability.

• Workflow Examples: Present examples of UI workflows you've created or improved, demonstrating how they empower designers and streamline content creation.

• In-Engine UI Implementation: Provide concrete examples of UI elements or features implemented directly within Unity, illustrating your technical proficiency with the engine's UI tools.

• Technical Design Case Studies: Include case studies that detail the technical challenges faced in UI development, your approach to solving them, and the resulting improvements in performance, usability, or efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Examples of documented UI workflows that clearly outline steps, dependencies, and best practices for content creation and iteration.

• System Design Documentation: Show evidence of creating technical design documents for UI systems, detailing architecture, component breakdown, data flow, and integration points.

• Best Practices Guides: Examples of written guides or internal documentation shared with teams to promote consistent adoption of UI tools, workflows, and technical standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Technical Designer role, the portfolio is paramount. It should not just show finished UI, but the underlying systems, workflows, and technical problem-solving that enabled efficient and high-quality UI development. Demonstrating how you've "empowered designers" through technical solutions will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $80,800 - $149,400 USD Annually

• Explanation: This range is based on the provided U.S. salary information for this role. Actual compensation will be determined by factors such as candidate experience, performance, and specific work location. For Irvine, CA, this range aligns with senior-level technical design roles in the gaming industry, considering cost of living and market demand.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health: Medical, Dental, Vision insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), and Healthcare Spending Accounts.

• Financial Well-being: 401(k) with Company match, Life and AD&D insurance, Disability insurance, Tuition reimbursement, and Charitable donation matching.

• Time Off & Leave: Paid holidays, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, and parental leave.

• Wellness & Development: Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and access to various voluntary benefit programs.

• Additional Perks: Relocation assistance may be provided if required for the role.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid work model, allowing for a mix of remote and on-site workdays from the Irvine studio. Full-time on-site work is also an option.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is a good benchmark for a senior role in Southern California. The extensive benefits package reflects a commitment to employee well-being and financial security, which are attractive to experienced professionals. The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility, a key consideration for many candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Interactive Entertainment / Video Game Development. Blizzard Entertainment is a globally recognized leader, known for its high-quality, genre-defining games.

Company Size: Part of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft. This implies a large, established corporate structure with significant resources, but also a focus on individual studio autonomy (like Blizzard).

Founded: Blizzard Entertainment was founded in 1991. This long history signifies a deep-rooted culture of game development excellence and innovation.

Team Structure:

• Unannounced Project Team: The role is within a team dedicated to a new, unannounced game. This suggests a dynamic, potentially fast-paced environment focused on early to mid-stage development.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The team structure emphasizes close collaboration between UI designers, UI engineers, artists, game designers, and audio specialists.

• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, a Senior UI Technical Designer typically reports to a Lead UI Designer, Art Director, or Technical Director, depending on the studio's organizational structure.

Methodology:

• Agile/Iterative Development: Game development, especially for new titles, typically follows agile or highly iterative methodologies, requiring flexibility and adaptability.

• Quality-Focused: Blizzard is renowned for its commitment to polish and quality, suggesting a development process that prioritizes meticulous attention to detail and user experience.

• Data-Informed Design: While not explicitly mentioned for this role, modern game development often uses player data to inform design decisions, especially for live services.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Blizzard's reputation for quality and its history in the industry suggest a culture that values craftsmanship, innovation, and player experience. Working on an unannounced project offers the excitement of contributing to something new, but also the challenge of navigating ambiguity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Technical Designer. This level signifies a high degree of individual contributor expertise, the ability to lead technical aspects of UI development, and potentially mentor junior team members. It's a key role in ensuring the technical feasibility and efficiency of UI design.

Reporting Structure: Likely reports to a Lead UI Designer or Technical Director, working closely with UI Engineers and Game Designers. This structure allows for both creative design input and technical execution.

Operations Impact: The UI Technical Designer directly impacts the player's experience, influencing usability, immersion, and overall game satisfaction. By enabling efficient UI development, they indirectly impact development timelines and team productivity.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific UI technologies, engine features, or advanced scripting/programming for UI.

• Lead/Management Track: Progress into Lead UI Technical Designer or UI Engineering Lead roles, taking on more responsibility for team direction and technical strategy.

• Cross-Disciplinary Roles: Transition into broader technical design roles, game design, or UI engineering positions within the company.

• Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by mentoring junior designers and engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for technical specialists in game UI. The "Senior" title and the focus on system design suggest a trajectory towards technical leadership or deep specialization within the UI domain. The temporary nature also presents an opportunity to prove oneself for potential long-term roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Blended hybrid work model from the Irvine, CA studio. This suggests a modern office environment designed for both individual focus and collaborative work.

Office Location(s): Irvine, California. A hub for the gaming industry, offering a vibrant professional community.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The hybrid model implies access to office spaces designed for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard development tools, high-performance workstations, and the Unity engine environment is expected.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with a diverse team of creative and technical professionals, fostering a dynamic and engaging work atmosphere.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid arrangement. The fast-paced nature of game development may occasionally require extended hours, particularly around critical milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment is a significant draw, offering a balance between focused remote work and in-person collaboration. The Irvine location places the role within a major gaming development hub.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Application review and screening, focusing on resume and portfolio.

• Technical Interview: Likely involves in-depth discussion of UI systems, technical challenges, and problem-solving scenarios. Expect questions about Unity UI, scripting, and architecture.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, explaining your contributions, technical approach, and the impact of your work. Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interview: Interviews with potential team members (e.g., UI Designers, Engineers, Art Director) to assess collaboration skills, communication, and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall fit, strategic thinking, and alignment with Blizzard's values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Systems, Not Just Screens: Focus on the underlying technical design, architecture, and workflows you developed for UI, not just finished UI mockups.

• Detail Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions, especially in collaborative projects. Use "I" statements for your work and "We" for team achievements.

• Technical Depth: Be ready to explain your technical choices, trade-offs, and problem-solving methodologies within Unity.

• Process & Iteration: Highlight how you supported design iteration and empowered other team members through your technical solutions.

• Metrics & Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., performance improvements, reduction in designer dependency, workflow efficiency gains).

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Problem-Solving: Be prepared for hypothetical scenarios related to UI implementation challenges, performance optimization, or debugging within Unity.

• System Design Exercise: You might be asked to outline a technical approach for a specific UI feature or system.

• Workflow Design: Discuss how you would design or improve a UI workflow to meet specific project needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just their ability to use UI tools, but to build and architect the systems that make those tools effective and scalable. Emphasize technical problem-solving and how your work directly benefits the design team and overall project.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engine: Unity (mandatory)

• Unity UI Systems: UI Builder, Layout Tools, Visual Scripting (mandatory)

• Scripting Languages: C#, Lua (or equivalent)

• Version Control: Perforce (common in game dev, likely used)

• Project Management: Jira, Confluence (common for documentation and task tracking)

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core function, but understanding how UI integrates with broader game systems is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Unity's UI systems is non-negotiable. Experience with C# and Lua scripting is essential for extending functionality and automating tasks. Familiarity with game development-specific version control systems like Perforce is highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A deep commitment to creating polished, high-quality experiences that meet Blizzard's legendary standards.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Emphasis on working together across disciplines, sharing knowledge, and supporting team members.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to game development and UI design.

• Player Focus: Designing and building experiences with the player's enjoyment and immersion as the top priority.

• Adaptability: Thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and deadlines.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless integration with engineering, art, and design teams, fostering open communication and mutual respect.

• Iterative Feedback Loops: Embracing a culture of constructive feedback to continually refine UI systems and workflows.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing technical insights, best practices, and solutions with team members to elevate collective expertise.

📝 Enhancement Note: Blizzard's core values (often cited as "Gameplay First," "Embrace Your Inner Geek," "Every Creator Counts," "Tell Great Stories," "Think Globally," "Lead Responsibly") likely permeate the team culture. For this role, "Gameplay First" and "Every Creator Counts" are particularly relevant, highlighting the importance of player experience and empowering individual contributors.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Ambiguity of Unannounced Projects: Navigating a development environment where project scope, features, and technical requirements may evolve rapidly.

• Balancing Design Freedom with Technical Constraints: Finding the optimal balance between empowering designers with creative flexibility and ensuring technical feasibility, performance, and scalability.

• Cross-Discipline Communication: Effectively translating complex technical UI concepts to non-technical team members and understanding their needs and constraints.

• Performance Optimization: Ensuring that complex UI systems remain performant across various target hardware, which can be a significant technical hurdle in game development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Unity Techniques: Opportunity to master cutting-edge features and optimization strategies within the Unity engine.

• AAA Game Development Exposure: Gain invaluable experience on a high-profile, unannounced AAA title from a renowned studio.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Potential to mentor junior team members and grow into leadership roles within UI development.

• Industry Best Practices: Exposure to and implementation of industry-leading UI architectures and development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to game development on new titles. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering career advancement and skill enhancement within a top-tier studio.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI system you designed and implemented in Unity. What were the technical challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on architecture, performance, and scalability.)

• "How would you approach building a UI workflow that allows designers to create and iterate on menus with minimal coding?" (Demonstrate understanding of empowering designers and using tools like UI Builder/Visual Scripting.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about working on an unannounced game at Blizzard Entertainment?" (Show genuine interest in the company's legacy and the opportunity to build something new.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with artists and game designers who may have different technical understandings?" (Emphasize communication, empathy, and finding common ground.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio walkthrough with a clear beginning (problem/goal), middle (your technical solution/process), and end (outcome/impact).

• Technical Deep Dives: Be ready to go deep on the technical aspects of your showcased projects. Explain your code, system design, and engine-specific implementations.

• Highlight Collaboration: Discuss how you worked with other disciplines and how your technical contributions facilitated their work.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the success of your solutions (e.g., "reduced load times by X%", "enabled designers to implement Y feature Z% faster").

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare specific examples from your past work that directly address the responsibilities and required skills. Quantifiable results and clear explanations of your technical thought process will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating your experience with Unity UI systems (UI Builder, Visual Scripting), C# or Lua scripting, and the creation of scalable UI architectures. Showcase examples where you empowered designers or solved complex technical UI challenges.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your 8+ years of game development experience, specifically mentioning AAA titles shipped and your role in UI implementation or technical design. Use keywords from the job description such as "Unity UI," "UI Builder," "Technical Design," "C#," "Performance Optimization," and "Cross-functional Collaboration."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your technical process, problem-solving approach, and collaboration style. Prepare to walk through your portfolio with confidence, explaining your contributions and the impact of your work in detail. Research Blizzard Entertainment's recent games and their UI design to demonstrate informed interest.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Blizzard's history, values, and recent projects. Understand their reputation for quality and player-centric design, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and approach align with these aspects.

⚠️ 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.