Technical UI Designer - 12 Month Contract

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Technical UI Designer - 12 Month Contract

Company: Keywords Studios (d3t)

Location: Daresbury, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: CONTRACTOR

Category: Technical Art / UI/UX Design (Game Development)

Date Posted: May 18, 2026

Experience Level: 3+ Years Professional Game Development

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the technical implementation and optimization of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) elements within game development projects, leveraging technical art skills and visual programming.

• You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, scripters, UX designers, and UI artists, to bring game UI features to life.

• Responsibilities include implementing complex UI logic, ensuring cross-platform compatibility, and maintaining high performance standards for all UI assets.

• The position requires a strong understanding of game engines, rapid prototyping, and delivering polished, AAA-quality UI experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a 12-month contract position with a hybrid work arrangement, requiring 3 days per week in the Daresbury or Newcastle studio. The focus is on the technical aspects of UI design, bridging the gap between art, design, and engineering within the game development pipeline.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering, scripting, UX, and UI art teams to plan, estimate, and implement UI features that align with game objectives, accessibility standards, and technical requirements.

• Implement diverse UI components, including 2D and 3D layouts, menu logical flows, animations, Augmented Reality (AR) elements, and Heads-Up Displays (HUDs).

• Utilize visual programming languages such as Python, Javascript, or C++ to develop and refine UI logic and functionality.

• Iteratively improve UI implementations based on feedback from design, art, and creative direction, ensuring optimal user experience.

• Guarantee that interfaces scale correctly across various platform screen resolutions and maintain high performance without frame rate drops.

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

• Maintain a keen eye for detail, typography, and overall visual polish in all UI elements.

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, proactively sharing knowledge and supporting team members.

• Employ a problem-solving mentality to effectively debug and resolve complex UI systems and technical issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a hands-on, technical approach to UI implementation, moving beyond conceptual design to the actual creation and optimization of UI systems within a game engine. The mention of "visual programming language" and "2D and 3D layouts" highlights the technical depth expected.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong portfolio demonstrating practical application of UI/UX design principles and technical implementation in game development is paramount.

Experience: 3+ years of professional game development experience working with game engines, with a proven track record of implementing UI screens, widgets, logic, and data flows in collaboration with other game disciplines.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in professional game development using game engines.

• Demonstrated ability to implement UI screens, widgets, logic, and data flows in collaboration with engineers, scripters, and artists.

• Proficiency in rapid prototyping to test feasibility and iterate on UI concepts from inception to completion.

• Experience in polishing features to AAA quality standards and maintaining them throughout the production lifecycle.

• Strong understanding of promoting and implementing best practices in UI development.

• Excellent attention to detail, particularly regarding typography and visual aesthetics.

• A collaborative, inclusive, and proactive attitude towards teamwork.

Preferred Skills:

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

• Familiarity with other game engines like Frostbite or Unity.

• Experience with AR (Augmented Reality) implementation within UI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on practical, hands-on experience within game development, particularly in the technical implementation of UI. The "3+ years" is a baseline, with the quality and scope of the candidate's portfolio being a critical determinant. Preferred skills indicate a broader interest in different engine ecosystems.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase examples of implemented UI features within game engines, demonstrating technical execution of 2D/3D layouts, menu flows, and HUDs.

• Include case studies of rapid prototyping projects, detailing the process from concept to a tested feature.

• Present projects that highlight your ability to polish UI elements to AAA quality, with before-and-after examples if possible.

• Demonstrate experience in cross-platform UI scaling and performance optimization, explaining the technical challenges and solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Document your approach to collaborating with engineers and artists on UI feature development, outlining communication strategies and workflow integration.

• Explain your methodology for ensuring UI scalability and performance across different resolutions and platforms.

• Detail your process for receiving and implementing feedback from design, art, and leadership to iterate on UI designs.

• Showcase your understanding of debugging complex UI systems and problem-solving techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, as it will serve as concrete evidence of technical UI implementation skills. Candidates should focus on showcasing the how and why behind their UI implementations, not just the final visual output. Demonstrating technical problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration within the portfolio is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a 12-month contract role with potential for extension, the salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Based on industry benchmarks for Technical UI Designers with 3+ years of experience in the UK gaming industry, an estimated range could be £40,000 - £60,000 per annum pro-rata, depending on the specific skill set and interview performance.

Benefits:

• 22 days of annual leave, plus 3 festive studio closure days, and bank holidays.

• Company Pension Scheme.

• Flexible Working Hours.

• Private Medical Insurance Scheme (BUPA).

• A strong anti-crunch ethos, promoting a professional, fun, and supportive working environment.

• Free Parking at studio locations.

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

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

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours (estimated 40 hours per week), with flexible working hours available. The hybrid arrangement requires 3 days per week in the studio (Wednesday, Thursday, and one other chosen day).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary is an estimate for a contract role in the UK game development sector. The provided benefits are comprehensive for a contract position, emphasizing work-life balance and employee well-being, which is a strong selling point for the studio.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Co-Development and Technology Services. Keywords Studios (d3t) is a leading provider of co-development services to AAA game clients worldwide, focusing on delivering experienced technical and creative solutions.

Company Size: d3t is part of the larger Keywords Studios Group. While the specific size of the d3t studio isn't detailed, it operates across multiple UK sites (Daresbury, Newcastle) and Madrid, suggesting a significant team size with specialized departments.

Founded: The exact founding date of d3t isn't specified, but their extensive project history indicates a well-established presence in the industry.

Team Structure:

• The Art team is described as blending technical excellence with a passion for game development, covering the full development cycle.

• The Technical UI Designer will be part of this Art team, likely reporting to a Technical Director or Art Director, and collaborating with Project Managers.

Methodology:

• Focus on technical excellence and the craft of game development.

• Expertise spans the full development cycle, from co-development to benchmark creation.

• They build tools and pipelines that power art creation.

• A strong emphasis on the anti-crunch mentality, mentoring, and fostering a supportive environment.

Company Website: https://www.d3t.co.uk/ (associated with Keywords Studios)

📝 Enhancement Note: d3t's culture is highlighted by its AAA project involvement, commitment to a healthy work-life balance ("anti-crunch"), and a strong focus on technical skill development within art disciplines. This is a studio that values both creative output and the technical pipelines that enable it.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role aligns with a mid-level to senior Technical UI Designer position within the game development pipeline. It requires significant practical experience and the ability to work autonomously on complex technical implementations.

Reporting Structure: The Technical UI Designer will report to Technical Directors and Project Managers, indicating a structured project management approach within the studio.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on the player experience by ensuring intuitive, performant, and visually appealing user interfaces. Technical UI Designers are critical in translating design concepts into functional, high-quality in-game systems, directly influencing user engagement and game quality.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific visual programming languages (Python, C++) or game engines (Unreal, Unity, Frostbite), becoming a go-to specialist for complex UI challenges.

• Technical Leadership: Progress into a Lead Technical UI Designer role, mentoring junior team members and overseeing the technical direction of UI development for larger projects.

• Cross-Disciplinary Advancement: Move into broader Technical Art roles, leveraging UI implementation skills to contribute to other technical art pipelines or tool development.

• Project Variety: Gain exposure to a wide range of AAA titles and genres, expanding technical adaptability and problem-solving capabilities across different game systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the potential for extension and the studio's culture of mentorship suggest opportunities for continued professional development. The growth paths outlined are typical for technical art roles within the gaming industry, emphasizing specialization and leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment. The role requires 3 days per week in either the Daresbury or Newcastle studio, with the remaining 2 days being remote.

Office Location(s): Daresbury, England, United Kingdom; Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom.

Workspace Context:

• The studios are designed to be professional and supportive, with an emphasis on collaboration.

• Breakout areas are equipped with games and amenities, fostering a relaxed yet productive atmosphere.

• The company culture actively promotes work-life balance, with flexible hours and a no-crunch policy.

Work Schedule: The hybrid model involves specific in-office days (Wednesday, Thursday mandatory) and flexible remote work. The company offers flexible working hours, allowing for adaptability in daily schedules while maintaining project deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key feature, balancing in-person collaboration with remote flexibility. The studio environment is designed to be conducive to creative and technical work, with a strong emphasis on employee well-being.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Video Call: Typically for initial screening, assessing basic qualifications, cultural fit, and understanding of the role. Prepare to discuss your background and key projects.

• Second Interview (Potentially On-site): A more in-depth discussion, potentially involving a technical assessment or a presentation of your portfolio. This stage will likely involve meeting more of the team and discussing specific project contributions.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: Be prepared to walk through several of your strongest portfolio pieces, explaining your technical contributions, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This is where your visual programming and game engine implementation skills will be scrutinized.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with senior leadership to discuss overall fit, long-term aspirations (if applicable for contract extensions), and final terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Technical Focus: Prioritize showcasing projects where you implemented UI logic, used visual programming, optimized performance, or solved complex technical UI challenges.

• Case Studies: For each significant project, provide a brief overview of the game/project, your specific role, the tools/languages used (e.g., Unreal Engine, Python), the technical challenges you addressed, and the outcome.

• Demonstrate Process: If possible, include videos or interactive demos that clearly show the UI in action and highlight its functionality and performance. Explain your iterative process and how you incorporated feedback.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, mention any measurable improvements in performance, scalability, or user experience resulting from your work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss hypothetical scenarios: "How would you approach implementing a dynamic HUD that adapts to different player states?" or "Describe a time you had to optimize a complex UI menu for performance."

• Brush up on your knowledge of visual programming languages (Python, Javascript, C++) and common game engine UI systems (Unreal, Unity).

• Understand the importance of accessibility in UI design and how to implement it technically.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount. Candidates should curate it specifically for this role, highlighting technical UI implementation rather than just conceptual design. Be ready to articulate technical decisions and problem-solving processes clearly.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engines: Unreal Engine (highly probable given the mention of UMG), Unity (preferred skill). Experience with other engines like Frostbite is a bonus.

• Visual Programming Languages: Python, Javascript, C++ (essential for logic implementation).

• UI Systems: Unity UI, Unreal Engine UI (UMG), ImGui, WPF, Qt (preferred/bonus).

Analytics & Reporting: While not explicitly mentioned, familiarity with in-game analytics tools for tracking UI interactions and performance metrics would be beneficial for optimization.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding project management tools used for task tracking (e.g., Jira, Trello) is implied.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in at least one major game engine's UI system and one or more visual programming languages is critical. The explicit mention of Unreal Engine UI and Unity UI indicates these are key focus areas.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

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

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams, sharing knowledge, and fostering an inclusive environment.

• Passion for Games: A genuine interest in game development and contributing to the creation of engaging player experiences.

• Work-Life Balance: Adherence to a no-crunch policy and a culture that values employee well-being.

• Continuous Improvement: A proactive approach to learning, problem-solving, and refining processes and systems.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional integration is key, requiring strong communication and teamwork with engineers, designers, and artists.

• Openness to feedback and iterative development is essential for refining UI implementations.

• A culture of knowledge sharing and mentorship is encouraged within the studio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The studio emphasizes a supportive and collaborative environment, with a strong commitment to preventing crunch. This is a significant cultural differentiator for Keywords Studios (d3t).

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Cross-Platform Complexity: Ensuring consistent UI functionality and performance across a wide range of devices and screen resolutions.

• Technical Limitations: Working within the constraints of game engine capabilities and performance budgets.

• Rapid Iteration: Adapting to frequent design changes and implementing them efficiently while maintaining quality.

• Debugging Complex Systems: Identifying and resolving intricate bugs within visual programming logic and UI frameworks.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Engine Proficiency: Gaining deeper expertise in Unreal Engine or Unity UI systems and their advanced features.

• Scripting Mastery: Enhancing skills in Python, Javascript, or C++ for more complex UI logic and tool development.

• Technical Art Specialization: Exploring adjacent technical art disciplines and how they integrate with UI.

• Exposure to AAA Projects: Working on high-profile titles provides invaluable experience and exposure to industry-leading practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges that are inherent to AAA game development, providing ample opportunities for skill growth and professional development within a supportive environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience implementing UI features in Unreal Engine/Unity. What specific tools or systems did you use?"

• "Walk me through a complex UI feature you implemented. What were the technical challenges, and how did you solve them using visual programming?"

• "How do you ensure UI performance and scalability across different platforms and resolutions? Can you provide an example?"

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate closely with engineers or artists on a UI feature. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at d3t and Keywords Studios, specifically within our Technical Art team?"

• "How do you approach maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially in a contract role?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Curate for Technicality: Select 2-3 projects that best showcase your technical UI implementation skills, visual programming, and problem-solving abilities.

• Structured Walkthrough: For each project, start with the objective, detail your specific technical contributions (languages, engines, systems used), explain the challenges and solutions, and present the final outcome (demo, screenshots, metrics).

• Highlight Process: Be prepared to discuss your iterative process, how you handled feedback, and your approach to optimization and quality assurance.

• Concise and Clear: Be articulate and to the point. Focus on demonstrating your expertise and understanding of the technical aspects of UI design.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to speak in detail about your technical contributions to projects and demonstrate your problem-solving skills through specific examples. The interview will heavily lean on your portfolio's technical merit.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Technical UI Designer position:

• Submit your CV and Portfolio: Ensure your CV highlights relevant game development experience and technical skills. Your portfolio should be easily accessible and clearly showcase your best technical UI implementation work.

• Tailor your application: Clearly articulate why your skills in visual programming, game engine UI implementation, and technical art make you a strong candidate for this specific contract role.

• Prepare your portfolio walkthrough: Practice explaining your projects concisely, focusing on the technical challenges and solutions you provided.

• Research d3t and Keywords Studios: Understand their project history, company culture, and values to better align your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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.