UI Programmer
π Job Overview
Job Title: UI Programmer (Regular/Senior)
Company: Creepy Jar S.A.
Location: Warszawa, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Game Development Operations / Software Engineering
Date Posted: 2026-09-11
Experience Level: Regular/Senior
Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
π Role Summary
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Implement and design user interfaces (UI), including HUDs and menu screens, leveraging strong C++ and Unreal Engine expertise.
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Collaborate closely with gameplay programmers, design, and art teams to ensure seamless integration of UI elements and associated mechanics.
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Maintain, debug, and optimize existing UI code to enhance performance and stability.
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Contribute to the development of general gameplay mechanics beyond direct UI responsibilities.
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Develop clean, readable, and maintainable code adhering to best practices in UI development and software engineering.
π Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a UI Programmer with a focus on game development, requiring deep expertise in Unreal Engine and C++. The "Regular/Senior" designation suggests a need for demonstrated experience and the ability to work independently or mentor junior team members. The hybrid work option is a key detail for candidates considering work arrangements.
π Primary Responsibilities
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Design, develop, and implement complex user interfaces, including dynamic HUD elements, interactive menus, and in-game information displays.
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Collaborate with cross-functional teams (gameplay programmers, designers, artists) to translate conceptual designs into functional and visually appealing UI components.
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Write efficient, well-documented, and maintainable C++ code within the Unreal Engine framework for UI systems.
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Debug and resolve issues related to UI functionality, performance, and integration with other game systems.
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Optimize UI code for performance, ensuring smooth frame rates and responsive user experiences across various hardware configurations.
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Contribute to the development of gameplay mechanics, leveraging programming skills to support broader game development objectives.
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Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality, adherence to standards, and knowledge sharing within the programming team.
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Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in UI development for games, particularly within the Unreal Engine ecosystem.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core UI programming duties with a broader contribution to gameplay mechanics, indicating a versatile role within the development team. The emphasis on collaboration and code quality suggests a mature development process.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong foundation in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field is typically expected for this level of programming role.
Experience: Minimum 3 years of professional C++ programming experience, with a proven track record in UI implementation.
Required Skills:
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Minimum 3 years of professional C++ programming experience.
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Proven experience in implementing User Interfaces (UI), including HUDs and menu screens.
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Strong proficiency with Unreal Engine technology.
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Ability to write clean, readable, and maintainable code.
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Understanding of gameplay mechanics and user experience (UX) principles.
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Knowledge of design patterns relevant to UI development.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Fluency in Polish (minimum B2 level, essential) and English (minimum B1 level).
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Excellent teamwork and collaboration abilities. Preferred Skills:
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Experience working on commercially released games.
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Prior experience specifically as a UI Programmer on at least one released project.
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Experience developing games for multiple hardware platforms.
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Involvement in the development of games with multiplayer or cooperative modes.
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Genuine interest in First-Person Perspective (FPP), base-building, and survival simulation game genres.
π Enhancement Note: The required skills clearly emphasize practical, hands-on experience with C++ and Unreal Engine, specifically for UI development. The preferred skills indicate a desire for candidates with direct game industry experience and a passion for the game's genre, which can lead to more engaged and insightful contributions.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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Demonstrable projects showcasing UI implementation within a game development context, preferably using Unreal Engine.
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Examples of complex HUD designs, interactive menus, and functional in-game interfaces.
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Code samples (e.g., GitHub repository) illustrating clean, maintainable C++ code and understanding of design patterns.
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Case studies detailing the process of designing and implementing UI features, including challenges faced and solutions implemented.
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Documentation or explanations of UI architecture and system design choices. Process Documentation:
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Showcase understanding of the UI development lifecycle, from concept to implementation and optimization.
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Evidence of debugging and performance optimization techniques applied to UI systems.
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Examples of collaboration with design and art teams, demonstrating effective communication and integration workflows.
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Workflow examples illustrating how UI elements are integrated with gameplay mechanics and backend systems.
π Enhancement Note: For a UI Programmer role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only display finished UI but also the process behind it β how the code is structured, how problems were solved, and how collaboration occurred. Highlighting optimization efforts is particularly important for game development roles.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Given the Regular/Senior experience level (3+ years C++, Unreal Engine), and the location in Warsaw, Poland, a competitive salary range for a UI Programmer would typically fall between 12,000 PLN to 20,000 PLN gross per month. This range can vary significantly based on the candidate's exact experience, specific skill set alignment, and negotiation. For senior candidates with extensive game development experience, the upper end or even exceeding this range is possible.
Benefits:
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Stable employment (likely employment contract or B2B contract, depending on candidate preference and company policy).
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Private healthcare for employee and family, fully covered by the company.
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Multisport card for access to sports and recreational facilities.
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Online platform with psychotherapy support.
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Participation in integration events.
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Conference budget for professional development and industry events.
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Work on a well-received game project (Green Hell and StarRupture).
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Office breakfasts provided by the company.
Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The company offers a hybrid work model, allowing for flexibility in work location on certain days, which can aid in work-life balance and managing personal commitments.
π Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market rates for experienced C++ programmers in the Polish tech and gaming industry, specifically in Warsaw. Benefits are directly pulled from the job description, highlighting Creepy Jar S.A.'s commitment to employee well-being and professional growth.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Game Development (Premium Indie segment). Creepy Jar S.A. focuses on creating high-quality, original games that have achieved significant international success. Their niche is in survival and simulation genres, with a recent expansion into base-building and open-world exploration with StarRupture.
Company Size: Approximately 60 employees. This size indicates a studio that is large enough to have established processes and resources but small enough to maintain a close-knit team environment and direct impact for individuals.
Founded: The company was founded with the ambition to create unique gaming experiences, leading to the successful launch of Green Hell and now the ongoing development of StarRupture.
Team Structure: The Code team is being strengthened, currently comprising around 60 individuals across the company. This implies a dedicated programming department, likely with specialized sub-teams or roles (like UI, gameplay, engine). Reporting structure would likely be to a Lead Programmer or Technical Director, with close collaboration across design and art departments.
Methodology: The company emphasizes a collaborative, iterative development process. This includes:
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Data-driven development, evidenced by their focus on player feedback and sales figures (e.g., Green Hell's success, StarRupture's Early Access performance).
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Workflow optimization through close cross-functional team interaction.
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Automation and efficiency practices are implied by the need for experienced programmers to maintain and optimize code.
Company Website: https://jobs.creepyjar.com
π Enhancement Note: Creepy Jar S.A. presents itself as a successful indie studio with a strong track record. The company culture likely values passion for games, technical excellence, and collaborative problem-solving, typical of successful game development teams.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as Regular/Senior UI Programmer. This means candidates are expected to be proficient and capable of independent work, potentially mentoring junior developers, and contributing significantly to core UI systems. The "Senior" aspect implies a level of autonomy and problem-solving capability beyond that of a junior role.
Reporting Structure: The UI Programmer will likely report to a Lead Programmer or Head of Programming. They will work closely with other programmers (Gameplay, Engine), Game Designers, and UI/UX Artists. The collaborative nature of game development means interaction will be broad across disciplines.
Operations Impact: UI programmers have a direct and significant impact on player experience and game accessibility. A well-implemented UI enhances immersion, usability, and overall player satisfaction, directly contributing to game success and sales. For Creepy Jar, with its focus on detailed simulations and complex mechanics, intuitive UI is paramount for conveying information and enabling player interaction.
Growth Opportunities:
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Specialization: Deepen expertise in UI programming for Unreal Engine, potentially focusing on specific areas like UI animation, complex data visualization, or cross-platform UI development.
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Leadership: Progress to a Lead UI Programmer or Technical Lead role, overseeing UI development for entire projects and mentoring a team.
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Broader Development: Transition into other programming roles within the studio (e.g., Gameplay Programmer, Engine Programmer) by leveraging core C++ and Unreal Engine skills.
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Skill Expansion: Gain experience in adjacent areas like UX design, tools programming, or performance optimization.
π Enhancement Note: The career path for a UI Programmer in a game studio can be quite dynamic. Creepy Jar, as a growing studio, likely offers opportunities to take on more responsibility and influence the direction of UI development.
π Work Environment
Office Type: The company operates from a physical office in Warsaw, Poland, located at CzΕuchowska 9. They offer both a stationary (on-site) work model and a hybrid option, indicating a commitment to flexibility while valuing in-person collaboration.
Office Location(s): The primary office is in Warsaw, specifically on the Bemowo district. This location is accessible within the city.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The office setup likely supports close collaboration, with teams working in proximity. The hybrid model suggests that in-office days are valuable for team syncs and focused work sessions.
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Tools & Technology: As a game development studio, expect access to powerful development workstations, relevant software licenses (Unreal Engine, IDEs, version control), and potentially specialized hardware for testing.
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Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, code reviews, and ad-hoc discussions are facilitated by the physical presence and the hybrid model, promoting a strong team dynamic.
Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, likely around 40 hours per week. The hybrid option provides flexibility, allowing team members to balance office-based work with remote days, which is beneficial for focused coding tasks or managing personal needs.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on an on-site or hybrid model points to a company that values face-to-face interaction for team cohesion and effective problem-solving, which is common in creative and technical fields like game development.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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CV Submission: Initial screening of applications based on qualifications and experience.
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On-site Interview (1.5-2h): For selected candidates, an in-depth interview conducted at the Warsaw office. This typically involves technical discussions, problem-solving exercises, and an assessment of cultural fit.
- Preparation: Be ready to discuss your C++ and Unreal Engine experience, specifically UI implementation projects. Prepare to walk through your portfolio, explaining your design choices, technical challenges, and solutions.
- Focus: Expect questions on your approach to UI design, code optimization, debugging strategies, and how you collaborate with artists and designers.
- Portfolio Presentation: This is a critical part. Be prepared to present 1-2 key UI projects from your portfolio, detailing the problem, your solution, and the outcome.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Curate Selectively: Choose projects that best showcase your UI programming skills in a game development context, ideally using Unreal Engine.
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Demonstrate Process: For each project, explain the problem statement, your design process, the technical implementation details, and the results achieved (e.g., performance improvements, user feedback).
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Highlight Collaboration: If possible, show examples of UI that were developed in close partnership with designers or artists, and explain your role in that collaboration.
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Code Quality: If sharing code samples, ensure they are clean, well-commented, and demonstrate good programming practices and design patterns.
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Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., "reduced menu load time by X%", "implemented a scalable UI system that supports Y screen resolutions").
Challenge Preparation:
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Technical Exercises: Be prepared for potential live coding challenges or technical questions related to C++, Unreal Engine, and UI principles. Practice common data structures and algorithms, and refresh your knowledge of Unreal Engine's UI framework (UMG).
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Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate scenarios related to debugging complex UI issues, optimizing performance, or integrating new UI features under tight deadlines.
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Game Design Understanding: Demonstrate an understanding of how UI impacts gameplay and player experience. Be ready to discuss trade-offs between visual fidelity, performance, and functionality.
π Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes an in-person assessment and a thorough review of the candidate's practical work through their portfolio. Candidates should prepare to articulate their technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative approach within the context of game development.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Programming Language: C++
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Game Engine: Unreal Engine (specifically UMG - Unreal Motion Graphics for UI implementation)
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Version Control: Git (standard in game development for collaborative projects)
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IDEs: Visual Studio (commonly used with Unreal
Engine for C++ development)
Analytics & Reporting: While not directly the responsibility of a UI Programmer, understanding how UI impacts player engagement and retention is key. Tools may include:
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In-game Analytics SDKs: For tracking UI interactions and user flow.
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Performance Profiling Tools: Built into Unreal Engine (e.g., Unreal Insights, Slate/UMG profilers) to analyze UI performance.
CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role's core responsibilities, but the company likely uses internal tools for project management and communication.
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Project Management: Tools like Jira, Trello, or Asana are common for tracking tasks and workflows.
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Communication: Slack or Discord for team communication.
π Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on the core tools for game development: C++ and Unreal Engine. Proficiency in these is non-negotiable. Understanding how to use Unreal Engine's specific UI tools (UMG) and performance profiling capabilities is essential.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Passion for Games: A shared enthusiasm for creating high-quality, engaging gaming experiences is likely a core value, driving the team's dedication.
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Technical Excellence: A commitment to writing clean, efficient, and robust code, particularly in C++ and Unreal Engine, is paramount.
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Collaboration & Teamwork: The studio emphasizes working together across disciplines to achieve common goals, fostering an environment of mutual support and shared success.
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Data-Driven Improvement: While more relevant for product management, the success of Green Hell and StarRupture suggests an awareness of player feedback and market performance to guide development.
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Efficiency and Optimization: For programmers, this translates to writing code that is performant and maintainable, contributing to smoother gameplay and faster development cycles.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Integration: UI programmers will work closely with UI/UX artists to implement visual designs and with gameplay programmers to integrate UI functionality with game mechanics.
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Process Review & Feedback: Expect regular code reviews and design discussions, encouraging constructive feedback to improve both the code and the game's features.
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Knowledge Sharing: The team likely encourages sharing of technical knowledge, best practices, and solutions to common programming challenges, fostering a learning environment.
π Enhancement Note: Creepy Jar S.A. appears to foster a culture that values both technical skill and collaborative spirit, essential for a successful game development studio. The emphasis on player experience and game quality is likely a unifying factor for the team.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Performance and Fidelity: Implementing visually rich UI in Unreal Engine while maintaining high frame rates and responsiveness is a constant challenge in game development.
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Cross-Platform Consistency: Ensuring the UI works and looks good across different hardware and potential future platforms requires careful design and implementation.
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Evolving Game Design: As game mechanics evolve during development, UI systems must be flexible enough to adapt, which can require significant refactoring.
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Integration Complexity: Seamlessly integrating UI elements with complex gameplay systems and backend services can be technically demanding.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Advanced Unreal Engine Features: Opportunities to dive deeper into Unreal Engine's UI systems, animation tools, and performance profiling.
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Industry Conferences: Access to a conference budget can support attending events like GDC (Game Developers Conference) or local game development meetups for networking and learning.
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Mentorship: Working with senior developers provides opportunities for direct mentorship and skill development in both technical and soft skills.
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Exposure to Different Genres: Gaining experience in the FPP, base-building, and survival simulation genres can broaden a programmer's versatility.
π Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for game UI development, requiring strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. The growth opportunities are geared towards deepening expertise within the game development domain and potentially expanding into leadership roles.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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UI Architecture & Design: "Describe your approach to designing a scalable UI system for a complex game like StarRupture. How would you ensure it's maintainable and performant?" (Preparation: Focus on modular design, data-driven UI, and Unreal Engine's UMG best practices).
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Collaboration & Problem Solving: "You're given a UI design that is technically challenging to implement within performance constraints. How would you approach this with the art and design teams?" (Preparation: Emphasize communication, proposing alternatives, and finding compromises that satisfy both technical and creative requirements).
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Debugging & Optimization: "Walk me through your process for identifying and fixing a UI-related performance bottleneck in Unreal Engine." (Preparation: Discuss profiling tools, common UI performance pitfalls, and systematic debugging methods).
Company & Culture Questions:
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"What interests you about Creepy Jar S.A. and our games, particularly StarRupture?" (Preparation: Research the company, their games (Green Hell, StarRupture), and their mission. Express genuine interest in the genre and studio's success).
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"How do you handle feedback on your code or UI designs, especially when it conflicts with your initial ideas?" (Preparation: Highlight your openness to feedback, collaborative spirit, and ability to work towards a shared vision).
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"How do you measure the success of a UI feature you've implemented?" (Preparation: Discuss metrics related to usability, performance, player satisfaction, and contribution to overall game goals). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as stories of problem-solving. Start with the challenge, detail your approach and implementation, and conclude with the results and lessons learned.
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Technical Deep Dive: Be ready to explain the technical specifics of your implementations, including the Unreal Engine features used, C++ code structure, and any optimizations made.
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Interactive Elements: If possible, have a live demo or video of your UI in action. Be prepared to navigate through it and explain its functionality.
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Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate how your UI contributions positively impacted the game or user experience.
π Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical proficiency but also a collaborative mindset and a genuine understanding of game development challenges and player experience.
π Application Steps
To apply for this UI Programmer position:
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Submit your CV through the Creepy Jar S.A. careers portal.
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Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest C++ and Unreal Engine UI projects. Ensure it includes examples of HUDs, menus, and any complex interactive elements.
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Resume Optimization: Clearly list your years of C++ experience, specific Unreal Engine proficiency, and any direct UI development experience. Use keywords from the job description like "UI Programmer," "Unreal Engine," "C++," "HUD," and "User Experience."
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Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your technical skills and project experiences. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and answer scenario-based questions related to game development and UI implementation.
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Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Creepy Jar S.A.'s games, especially "Green Hell" and "StarRupture." Understand their market position and the types of games they create to demonstrate your genuine interest and cultural fit.
β οΈ 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.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have at least 3 years of professional C++ programming experience and proficiency in Unreal Engine. Strong knowledge of UI implementation, gameplay mechanics, and user experience principles is required, along with fluency in Polish and English.