Technical UI Designer - 12 Month Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Technical UI Designer - 12 Month Contract

Company: Keywords Studios (d3t studio)

Location: Gateshead, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Technical Art / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-18T14:27:38.692

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design, plan, and implement complex UI features within game engines, focusing on technical feasibility and performance optimization.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including engineers, scripters, UX designers, and UI artists to deliver high-quality, integrated UI solutions.

• Utilize visual programming languages to define UI logic, animations, and interactive elements, ensuring seamless user experiences.

• Adapt and refine UI implementations based on feedback, design requirements, and creative direction to achieve AAA quality standards.

• Ensure interfaces are scalable, performant across various platforms and screen resolutions, and meet accessibility standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 12-month contract position, offering a focused opportunity to contribute to high-profile game development projects. The "Technical UI Designer" title strongly suggests a blend of creative UI/UX design principles with a deep understanding of implementation within game development pipelines, particularly concerning visual programming and engine integration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Structure, plan, estimate, and implement UI features that align with game objectives, accessibility guidelines, and technical constraints.

• Collaborate with engineers, scripters, UX designers, and UI artists to implement intricate UI elements such as 2D and 3D layouts, menu logical flows, dynamic animations, Augmented Reality (AR) interfaces, and Heads-Up Displays (HUDs).

• Develop and implement UI logic using visual programming languages such as Python, Javascript, or C++.

• Iteratively improve UI implementations based on feedback from design, art, and creative direction, ensuring alignment with project goals.

• Guarantee that user interfaces scale correctly across different platforms, screen resolutions, and aspect ratios, while maintaining performance without frame rate drops.

• Report progress, challenges, and technical insights to Technical Directors and Project Managers.

• Maintain a keen eye for detail, typography, and user experience best practices throughout the development cycle.

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, actively contributing to problem-solving and system debugging.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "visual programming language" and "2D and 3D layouts, menu logical flows, animations, AR, HUDs" indicates that this role requires hands-on implementation and a strong understanding of how UI elements are constructed and interact within a game engine's architecture. This is more than just visual design; it's about building and integrating those designs technically.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a background in Computer Science, Game Design, Digital Art, or a related field is highly beneficial.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional game development experience, with a proven track record of implementing UI systems within game engines. Experience in rapid prototyping and full ownership of features from concept to completion is crucial.

Required Skills:

• 3+ years of professional game development experience working with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).

• Proven experience implementing UI screens, widgets, logic, and data flows in collaboration with other game disciplines.

• Demonstrated ability in rapid prototyping to test concept feasibility, taking an idea from start to finish with full ownership.

• Experience polishing features to AAA quality and maintaining them throughout the production cycle, promoting best practices.

• Proficiency in visual programming languages (Python, Javascript, or C++) for UI logic implementation.

• Strong understanding of UI/UX principles, including layout, flow, and user interaction design.

• Experience ensuring interfaces scale correctly across different platforms and screen resolutions.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and a methodical approach to debugging complex systems.

• A strong eye for detail, typography, and visual aesthetics.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other UI systems such as Unity UI, Unreal UI (UMG), ImGui, WPF, or Qt.

• Familiarity with other game engines like Frostbite.

• Experience with 2D and 3D layout implementation within game engines.

• Knowledge of AR (Augmented Reality) implementation for UI elements.

• Experience designing and implementing HUDs (Heads-Up Displays) and complex menu systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "3+ years of professional game development experience working with game engines" and the mention of specific engines like Unity and Unreal, alongside programming languages like Python, Javascript, and C++, strongly positions this as a mid-level to senior-leaning technical role. The "bonus" skills indicate areas where candidates can differentiate themselves.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing a range of UI implementations within game engines, highlighting your technical contributions.

• Include case studies of UI features developed from concept through to polished AAA quality, detailing your process and problem-solving approach.

• Provide examples of UI logic implemented using visual programming languages, illustrating your proficiency in Python, Javascript, or C++.

• Showcase instances where you ensured UI scalability and performance across various platforms and resolutions, with metrics or explanations of the challenges overcome.

Process Documentation:

• Detail your workflow for planning, estimating, and implementing UI features, including how you collaborate with other disciplines.

• Explain your methodology for iterating on UI designs based on feedback and technical constraints, focusing on efficiency and quality.

• Describe your approach to testing and debugging UI systems to ensure stability and performance across target platforms.

• Illustrate how you promote best practices and maintain UI quality throughout the game development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a "Technical UI Designer" role, the portfolio is paramount. It must not only display aesthetic design skills but also tangible evidence of technical implementation within a game engine. This includes code samples (or visual scripting examples), performance metrics, and explanations of technical challenges overcome.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Technical UI Designer with 3-5 years of experience in the UK, a salary range of £40,000 - £60,000 per annum is estimated. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, the complexity of projects, and the final negotiation.

Benefits:

• 22 days of holiday, plus 3 festive studio closure days, in addition to Bank Holidays.

• Company Pension Scheme.

• Flexible Working Hours, promoting work-life balance.

• Private Medical Insurance Scheme (BUPA).

• Adherence to an anti-crunch ethos, ensuring a professional, fun, and supportive working environment.

• Free Parking at studio locations.

• Regular Company Socials, Monthly Lunches, and Annual d3t Events.

• Well-equipped Breakout Areas with games, a BBQ area, and complimentary snacks.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. The role operates on a hybrid basis, requiring 3 days per week in the studio (Wednesday, Thursday, and one other chosen day), with flexibility in overall working hours outside of core in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: This is a contract role, so the compensation structure may differ from permanent positions (e.g., potentially a higher hourly rate or day rate). The provided range is an estimation based on typical UK salaries for similar roles, adjusted for the contract nature and experience level. Benefits are comprehensive for a contract role, indicating a commitment to employee well-being.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Co-Development and Technology Services. d3t is a studio within the Keywords Studios Group, a global leader in providing services and technology to the video game industry.

Company Size: Keywords Studios Group is a large, publicly traded company (approximately 12,000+ employees globally). The d3t studio itself is a significant entity within this group, employing hundreds of professionals across its UK and Madrid locations. This size offers stability and access to global resources while maintaining a focused studio environment.

Founded: d3t was founded in 2007. It has since become a highly respected co-development studio, known for its technical expertise and quality output. Being part of Keywords Studios since 2017 provides additional backing and broader reach.

Team Structure:

• The Art team at d3t is composed of specialists across Environment, Character, VFX, UI/UX, and Animation, all blending technical excellence with artistic craft.

• This Technical UI Designer will likely report to a Lead UI Artist or Technical Director, with close collaboration with Project Managers.

Methodology:

• d3t employs a data-driven approach to development, leveraging technical expertise to create efficient pipelines and high-quality assets.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, with a focus on iterative development and continuous improvement.

• Automation and efficiency practices are integral to their pipeline, aiming to streamline processes and enhance output quality.

Company Website: https://www.keywordsstudios.com/ and https://www.d3t.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: d3t's reputation as a AAA co-development partner, its "anti-crunch" mentality, and its multiple "Best Places to Work" awards suggest a professional, supportive, and quality-focused work environment. Being part of Keywords Studios means access to a vast network of resources and a global presence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a Mid-Level to Senior Technical Art/UI Design capacity. It requires demonstrated professional experience and the ability to work autonomously on complex implementation tasks. The "Technical" aspect signifies a deeper dive into the engine's mechanics than a pure UI/UX designer.

Reporting Structure: The Technical UI Designer will report to Technical Directors and Project Managers within the d3t studio. They will work closely with UI Artists, UX Designers, Engineers, and Scripters, forming a core part of the game development pipeline.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts player experience by creating intuitive, engaging, and technically sound user interfaces. The quality and performance of the UI are critical for game accessibility, player retention, and overall game polish, contributing significantly to the final product's success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific game engines (Unreal, Unity, Frostbite) or advanced UI techniques (AR, 3D UI).

• Leadership: Progress to Lead Technical UI Designer or Technical Art Lead roles, mentoring junior team members and overseeing UI implementation strategies.

• Skill Expansion: Develop broader technical art skills, including scripting, shader development, or pipeline tool creation.

• Project Variety: Gain exposure to a diverse portfolio of AAA titles across different genres and platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the skills acquired and the experience gained working on AAA titles with a reputable studio like d3t are highly valuable for future career progression in the competitive game development industry. The company's focus on mentorship suggests a supportive environment for skill development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model. Employees are expected to work 3 days per week in the studio, with the remaining 2 days remote. This blends the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The role is based at either the d3t UK studio sites in Daresbury (Cheshire) or Newcastle (Tyne & Wear). Candidates will be expected to commute to one of these locations for their in-office days.

Workspace Context:

• The studio environments are designed to foster collaboration and creativity, with dedicated breakout areas equipped with games, a BBQ area, and complimentary snacks.

• Access to industry-standard development tools and technologies within the studio.

• Opportunities for regular interaction and knowledge sharing with a team of experienced game developers.

Work Schedule: The role adheres to a 40-hour work week. While there is a hybrid requirement, the company promotes "Flexible Working Hours" and operates a strict "no-crunch policy," indicating a commitment to healthy work-life balance and predictable schedules.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with specific in-office days (Wednesday and Thursday being core) is a key factor for candidates considering this role. It ensures that essential in-person collaboration can occur while allowing for remote flexibility.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Video Call: Typically involves a discussion with a recruiter or hiring manager to assess overall fit, experience, and initial technical understanding. Be prepared to briefly walk through your portfolio and highlight relevant projects.

• Technical Interview/On-Site Visit: A more in-depth technical assessment, potentially involving a live coding/scripting challenge, a detailed portfolio review with senior team members (Technical Directors, Lead Artists), and discussions about your problem-solving approach to UI implementation challenges. This may include a second interview at one of the UK studio sites.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with project leads or department heads to discuss project fit, cultural alignment, and final contract terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate technical UI implementation within game engines.

• Highlight Technical Contributions: For each project, clearly articulate your specific role, the technical challenges you faced (e.g., performance optimization, cross-platform scaling, complex logic implementation), and how you solved them. Use visual scripting examples or code snippets where appropriate.

• Showcase Process: Explain your workflow from concept to implementation, detailing how you collaborated with other disciplines and iterated on designs based on feedback.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or examples demonstrating the positive impact of your UI work (e.g., improved usability, reduced load times, successful platform scaling).

• Prepare for Walkthroughs: Be ready to present your portfolio live, guiding interviewers through your projects and confidently answering technical questions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Visual Scripting: Practice implementing common UI elements or logic flows using Python, Javascript, or C++ within a game engine environment.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would approach common UI implementation challenges, such as optimizing performance on lower-end hardware, adapting UI for different screen aspect ratios, or implementing complex menu navigation.

• Technical Art Concepts: Brush up on core technical art principles related to UI, including asset integration, performance budgets, and engine-specific UI systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "technical standards" and "visual programming language" means interviewers will be scrutinizing your portfolio for evidence of hands-on implementation and problem-solving within a game engine context, not just aesthetic design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engines: Strong proficiency required in at least one major game engine, with Unreal Engine and Unity being highly relevant. Experience with Frostbite is a bonus.

• UI Systems: Experience with engine-specific UI systems such as Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG) and Unity UI is essential. Familiarity with ImGui, WPF, or Qt is beneficial.

• Visual Programming Languages: Proficiency in Python, Javascript, or C++ for implementing UI logic.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UI implementation role, but familiarity with project management and version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git) is standard in game development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical stack revolves around game engines and their associated UI implementation tools and scripting languages. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these specific technologies in detail.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Technical Excellence: A commitment to mastering and applying technical skills to deliver high-quality game features.

• Collaboration: Valuing teamwork and open communication across disciplines to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation: Encouraging creative problem-solving and the exploration of new technologies and techniques.

• Quality & Polish: A dedication to achieving AAA standards and delivering polished, performant experiences.

• Work-Life Balance: Upholding a sustainable work environment through an anti-crunch ethos and flexible working.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with engineers, designers, and artists to ensure seamless UI integration and alignment.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to enhance UI implementation and overall project quality.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages sharing best practices, technical insights, and lessons learned among team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's emphasis on being a "professional, fun and supportive working environment" and its "anti-crunch mentality" are key cultural indicators. Candidates should reflect these values in their responses and demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively and maintain a positive outlook.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Technical Complexity: Implementing complex UI features that are performant and scalable across multiple platforms and hardware configurations.

• Cross-Discipline Alignment: Effectively translating design requirements and artistic vision into robust, engine-ready UI implementations while managing technical constraints.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting quickly to design changes and feedback loops common in AAA game development.

• Performance Optimization: Ensuring UI elements do not negatively impact game performance (e.g., frame rate drops) on target hardware.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Engine Specialization: Deepening expertise in Unreal Engine or Unity, including their advanced UI and scripting capabilities.

• Technical Art Skills: Expanding into related technical art domains, such as shader creation, pipeline tool development, or 3D asset integration.

• AAA Project Exposure: Gaining invaluable experience working on high-profile, commercially successful video game titles.

• Mentorship: Benefiting from guidance from experienced Technical Directors and Lead Artists within a studio known for its mentoring ethos.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Technical UI Designer" role inherently involves tackling complex technical challenges. The company's commitment to learning and development suggests that support will be available for candidates looking to grow their skills in these areas.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a challenging UI implementation you've worked on. What were the technical hurdles, and how did you overcome them using visual scripting?" (Focus on your process, problem-solving, and technical solutions.)

• "How do you ensure UI scalability and performance across different platforms and screen resolutions? Can you provide an example from your portfolio?" (Prepare to discuss technical considerations and any optimization techniques used.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at d3t and Keywords Studios, particularly our anti-crunch policy and focus on work-life balance?" (Align your values with theirs.)

• "How do you approach debugging complex UI systems?" (Demonstrate a methodical and analytical mindset.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by engine or by type of UI challenge. For each project, clearly state the problem, your solution, and the outcome.

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to dive deep into the technical aspects of your showcased work, explaining code/script logic, performance considerations, and engine-specific implementation details.

• Conciseness: Present your most impactful work efficiently. Aim to showcase your best skills within the allocated time.

• Enthusiasm: Convey your passion for UI design, technical implementation, and game development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be ready to demonstrate your practical application of visual programming languages within a game engine context. Concrete examples from your portfolio are crucial for validating your skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Technical UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating your technical UI implementation skills within game engines, specifically mentioning Python, Javascript, or C++ usage.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 3+ years of professional game development experience, focusing on UI implementation, game engines, and programming languages. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio projects in detail, focusing on technical challenges, solutions, and collaborative processes. Be ready for technical questions and potential scripting exercises.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with d3t's portfolio of games and Keywords Studios' broader offerings to understand their market position and culture. Research their approach to UI/UX in their past projects.

⚠️ 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.