UI Systems Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Systems Lead

Company: ProbablyMonsters

Location: Dallas, Texas, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Game Development Operations / UI Engineering

Date Posted: 2026-08-14

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on establishing and maintaining consistent, scalable User Interface (UI) systems across multiple game titles, acting as a crucial link between UI/UX design and engineering implementation.

• It involves deep technical expertise in Unreal Engine's UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics) and Common UI frameworks to audit, de-risk, and guide UI development processes.

• The position requires a strong aptitude for creating and enforcing design systems, technical documentation, and best practices to ensure cross-platform UI integrity and quality.

• This UI Systems Lead will influence and mentor senior individual contributors, driving craft authority and best practices through technical leadership and hands-on prototyping.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "UI Systems Lead," the core responsibilities heavily lean into a specialized blend of UI Engineering, Design Systems Management, and Technical Art/Design within a game development context. The "operations" aspect comes from ensuring process consistency, scalability, and quality control across multiple projects, akin to GTM or RevOps for product delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• UI System Auditing & De-risking: Conduct comprehensive audits of UI implementations across all company titles to identify and address potential issues before they impact project timelines or quality.

• Reusable Plugin Development: Partner with UI engineers and localization teams to develop and maintain modular, reusable UI plugins for shared cross-platform elements, focusing on areas like boot flow, settings, and credits.

• Best Practice Definition & Enforcement: Define, document, and enforce scalable UI best practices, standards, and usage rules to ensure consistency, accessibility, and platform compliance.

• Technical Guidance & Mentorship: Provide hands-on technical guidance and mentorship to UI design and engineering staff, elevating the quality and consistency of UI development across teams.

• Documentation Management: Maintain living documentation, including style guides, technical specifications, and usage rules, ensuring they are up-to-date and accessible to development teams.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Interface directly with internal and external development partners (1st and 2nd party studios) to integrate reusable UI plugins and ensure adherence to established standards.

• Hands-on Prototyping & Implementation: Actively build and maintain UI within UMG (Widget Blueprints, Common UI) and prototype production-ready UI elements to demonstrate best practices and facilitate integration.

• Quality Assurance & Triage: Review partner UI implementations for quality, consistency, and adherence to standards, triaging findings by severity and driving necessary fixes.

• Accessibility & Localization Oversight: Drive technical and functional fixes related to UI accessibility (legibility, contrast, controller navigation), localization robustness (text expansion, CJK/RTL handling), and platform certification compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive, hands-on approach to UI development and governance, focusing on systemic improvements and cross-project consistency. This aligns with operations principles of standardization, efficiency, and risk mitigation within a creative and technical domain.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Computer Science, Game Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field is highly beneficial.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in UI/UX design, UI engineering, or a related technical role within the game development industry, with a proven track record of shipping cross-platform titles.

Required Skills:

• UMG Fluency: Current, hands-on proficiency with Unreal Motion Graphics (UMG), including Widget Blueprints, Common UI, and scalable widget architecture.

• Design Systems: Proven experience building or maintaining a design system across multiple products or projects, ensuring consistency and reusability.

• UI/UX Evaluation: Strong heuristic evaluation and usability audit instincts, with the ability to prioritize findings by severity and recommend actionable solutions.

• Technical Documentation: Disciplined approach to creating and maintaining living style guides, technical specifications, and usage rules.

• Communication: Clear, confident, and concise verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting technical direction effectively to design, engineering, and external partners.

• Problem-Solving: Excellent problem-solving skills, with a deep understanding of the technical constraints and limitations inherent in game engines.

• Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to mentor design and engineering staff, fostering skill development and raising the bar for the people around them.

• Hands-on Implementation: A natural inclination to prototype and build production UI, rather than solely directing or reviewing others' work.

• Platform Compliance: Working knowledge of console UI accessibility standards, localization robustness (text expansion, CJK/RTL handling), and platform certification requirements (e.g., Sony TRC, Microsoft XR, Nintendo Lotcheck).

Preferred Skills:

• Unreal Engine 5: Experience with the latest iterations of the Unreal Engine.

• Theming Systems: Experience defining design and theming systems within Unreal Engine environments.

• Modular Plugin Development: Proven experience building modular, reusable UI plugins intended for sharing across teams or titles.

• Localization Pipelines: Familiarity with localization workflows, including string management, pseudo-localization, and handling of RTL/CJK languages.

• Leadership Experience: Prior experience leading UI development across multiple shipped titles or managing a team, even without direct reports.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements highlight a deep technical specialization in Unreal Engine's UI frameworks, coupled with leadership and process-oriented skills. This blend is critical for a role focused on systemic UI operations within game development.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in UI System Design: Showcase projects where you designed, implemented, or significantly improved a UI system or design system. Detail the problem, your approach, the tools used (UMG, Common UI), and the resulting improvements in consistency, scalability, or efficiency.

• Demonstration of Reusable Components: Include examples of reusable UI components or plugins you developed, highlighting their modularity, cross-platform compatibility, and how they streamlined development for other teams.

• Documentation Samples: Provide samples of technical documentation, style guides, or specification documents you have created, demonstrating clarity, completeness, and adherence to best practices.

• Technical Implementation Examples: Showcase your hands-on work in UMG, demonstrating complex widget architectures, dynamic UI behaviors, or efficient implementation of features related to accessibility or localization.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Illustrate your process for defining UI workflows, from initial concept and prototyping through to implementation, testing, and integration.

• System Implementation Standards: Detail your approach to establishing and enforcing standards for UI implementation, including coding conventions, asset management, and integration procedures within the game engine.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Explain how you would measure the success of UI systems, including metrics for consistency, performance, developer efficiency, and user experience quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio is crucial to demonstrate practical application of UI systems thinking. It should go beyond visual design to showcase technical implementation, process management, and systemic impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $117,000 - $177,000 per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

• Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA)

• Dependent Care Spending Accounts

• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

• 401(k) with Company Contribution

• Paid Holidays

• Generous Paid Vacation Time

• Bereavement Leave

• Parental Leave

Working Hours: This is a full-time, exempt (salaried) position, typically requiring 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime during critical project phases. Flexibility may be offered, but the role is primarily on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Lead-level technical role in the game industry in a major metropolitan area like Dallas/Fort Worth. The benefits package is robust and standard for a company of ProbablyMonsters' stated caliber.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development. ProbablyMonsters is an independent developer focusing on creating original AA games with AAA sensibilities, emphasizing premium execution and intentionally scoped titles.

Company Size: The provided data doesn't specify exact size, but the mention of "growing portfolio" and "multiple titles" suggests a mid-to-large independent studio or a holding company with multiple development teams.

Founded: Founded by Harold Ryan (former Bungie President/CEO), indicating a leadership team with significant industry experience and a vision for creating high-quality, focused gaming experiences.

Team Structure:

• UI Systems Focus: The role implies a centralized or shared services team responsible for UI standards and reusable assets, supporting multiple game development teams.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close collaboration is expected with UI Engineers, UI/UX Designers, Localization Specialists, and development teams at various studios (1st and 2nd party).

• Craft Authority: The lead is expected to drive change and set standards through expertise and influence, potentially leading senior individual contributors without necessarily having direct reports.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven UI Governance: Emphasis on auditing, documenting, and enforcing standards based on data and best practices to ensure quality and consistency.

• Modular Design & Reusability: Focus on creating reusable UI plugins and components to improve development efficiency and maintainability across titles.

• Iterative Development & Prototyping: Hands-on approach involving prototyping and building UI to validate concepts and facilitate integration.

Company Website: [Company URL not provided in input, but typically found via search]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture appears to value craftsmanship, independence, and a strategic approach to game development, aiming for quality and distinctiveness. The role of UI Systems Lead is critical in operationalizing these values for UI development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead-level individual contributor role with significant influence and mentorship responsibilities. It sits at the intersection of UI/UX Design, Engineering, and Process Management within game development.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Lead often reports to a Director of Engineering, Head of UI/UX, or a Technical Director. They are responsible for guiding the work of other senior UI engineers and designers.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is measured by the consistency, quality, and efficiency of UI implementation across all ProbablyMonsters titles. This directly affects player experience, development timelines, and the ability to meet platform certification requirements.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in Unreal Engine UI systems, cross-platform development, and game engine architecture.

• Leadership & Mentorship: Develop leadership skills by mentoring teams, influencing technical direction, and potentially growing into a management role overseeing UI development.

• System Design & Architecture: Contribute to the strategic design of foundational UI systems that will be used across future company titles.

• Broader Studio Influence: Gain exposure to various game development teams and projects, understanding diverse needs and contributing to the overall technical strategy of the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth for individuals passionate about the technical and systemic aspects of UI development in games, blending hands-on creation with strategic oversight.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site role, indicating a traditional studio environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Fort Worth, Texas. This location provides a specific geographical context for the on-site requirement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The studio likely fosters a collaborative atmosphere where designers, engineers, and producers work closely together.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard development tools, including Unreal Engine, version control systems, and project management software.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with game development teams, leadership, and potentially external partners through in-person meetings and discussions.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (40 hours/week) are expected, with the understanding that the gaming industry often requires flexibility and dedication, especially around project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Fort Worth suggests a company culture that values in-person collaboration and the benefits of a shared physical workspace for creative and technical endeavors.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess core qualifications, UMG/Common UI fluency, and relevant experience.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on UMG implementation, widget architecture, design system principles, and problem-solving within game engine constraints. May include live coding or architecture review sessions.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their work, detailing specific projects, their contributions, technical solutions, and the impact of their UI systems work.

• Cross-functional / Leadership Interview: Assessment of communication, mentorship abilities, and how the candidate would influence teams and drive standards across disciplines.

• Final Interview: Typically with senior leadership to discuss cultural fit, long-term vision, and strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase UMG Proficiency: Clearly demonstrate your hands-on experience with Widget Blueprints, Common UI, and advanced UMG concepts.

• Highlight Design System Impact: Present case studies detailing how you built or maintained design systems, focusing on the benefits (e.g., consistency, efficiency, reduced bugs).

• Document Process & Problem-Solving: For each project, explain the challenges faced, your systematic approach to solving them, and the technical solutions implemented.

• Quantify Achievements: Where possible, use metrics to illustrate the impact of your work (e.g., reduction in UI bugs, faster UI implementation times, improved accessibility scores).

• Demonstrate Communication Skills: Be prepared to clearly articulate your technical decisions and design rationale during the presentation.

Challenge Preparation:

• UMG Implementation Challenge: Expect a practical task involving building a specific UI component or feature in UMG, adhering to certain standards or constraints.

• System Design Scenario: You might be asked to outline how you would approach building or improving a UI system for a new title or feature.

• Technical Audit Task: Be prepared to analyze a piece of existing UI implementation and identify areas for improvement regarding consistency, performance, or compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio showcasing technical depth in UMG and practical experience with design systems and process governance is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just what they've done, but how they've done it and why.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Unreal Engine: Deep expertise required, specifically UMG (Unreal Motion Graphics), Widget Blueprints, and Common UI. Unreal Engine 5 experience is preferred.

• Version Control: Proficiency with systems like Perforce or Git, essential for managing code and assets in a team environment.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools such as Jira, Asana, or Trello for task tracking and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Internal Analytics Tools: While not explicitly mentioned, understanding how UI impacts player engagement and retention metrics is key. Ability to interpret data from game analytics platforms.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience creating or utilizing dashboards for tracking UI implementation progress, bug rates, and adherence to standards.

CRM & Automation:

• N/A: CRM systems are not typically central to this role. The focus is on game development tools.

• Localization Tools: Familiarity with localization pipelines and string management systems is highly beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is deep proficiency within the Unreal Engine UI ecosystem. The ability to work with related development tools and understand localization workflows is also critical.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Craftsmanship & Quality: A commitment to high-quality UI implementation, attention to detail, and delivering polished user experiences.

• Consistency & Standardization: Valuing uniformity and adherence to established standards to ensure a cohesive player experience across titles.

• Collaboration & Influence: Working effectively with diverse teams, sharing knowledge, and influencing others through expertise and clear communication.

• Efficiency & Scalability: Focusing on creating systems and processes that are efficient to implement and scale across multiple projects.

• Continuous Improvement: A mindset of constantly seeking ways to improve UI systems, processes, and team capabilities.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless integration with UI/UX designers, engineers, and QA to ensure UI requirements are met from concept to final product.

• Process Review & Feedback: An open culture for reviewing UI implementations, providing constructive feedback, and iterating based on input.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in sharing best practices, technical solutions, and lessons learned across development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "craft authority" suggests a culture that respects deep technical expertise and values leaders who can guide through skill and example, rather than solely through managerial power.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Shared vs. Title-Specific Needs: Effectively managing the demand for shared UI resources and plugins against the unique requirements of individual game titles.

• Driving Change Across Teams: Influencing multiple development teams, potentially with differing priorities and established workflows, to adopt new UI standards and systems.

• Technical Constraints of Game Engines: Navigating the complexities and limitations of Unreal Engine and platform-specific requirements to deliver robust and performant UI.

• Maintaining Living Documentation: Ensuring that style guides and technical specifications remain up-to-date and actively used in a fast-paced development environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Unreal Engine UI: Opportunities to explore cutting-edge features and techniques within Unreal Engine for UI development.

• Cross-Platform Expertise: Deepen understanding of UI challenges and solutions across various console, PC, and potentially mobile platforms.

• Leadership Development: Formal or informal training in mentorship, team leadership, and strategic technical planning.

• Industry Best Practices: Staying abreast of evolving UI/UX trends, accessibility standards, and platform requirements in the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges in terms of influence and technical breadth, offering substantial growth opportunities for those who thrive in complex, collaborative environments.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach auditing the UI implementation of a new game title with a tight deadline?" (Focus on process, prioritization, and communication).

• "Describe a time you successfully implemented a reusable UI component or system that benefited multiple projects. What was your process?" (Highlight design system thinking, collaboration, and impact).

• "Imagine a platform certification failure related to UI accessibility or controller navigation. How would you diagnose and resolve this issue?" (Assess problem-solving, technical knowledge, and platform compliance awareness).

• "How do you balance the need for consistent UI standards with the creative freedom of individual game development teams?" (Gauge understanding of compromise, influence, and collaboration). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ProbablyMonsters and our approach to game development?" (Research their games, vision, and leadership).

• "How do you contribute to a positive and productive team culture, especially when working with distributed teams?" (Focus on collaboration, mentorship, and communication).

• "How do you measure the success of your work as a UI Systems Lead?" (Connect your contributions to business outcomes like efficiency, quality, and player experience). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your specific role and contributions, the technical solutions you implemented (especially in UMG), and the measurable outcomes.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visual aids, live demos (if feasible), or recorded examples to showcase your UI implementations.

• Emphasize Systems Thinking: Explain how your work contributed to a larger UI system, design system, or process that improved overall efficiency or consistency.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your technical choices, architectural decisions, and problem-solving approaches within UMG and the game engine.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be ready to demonstrate not only their technical prowess in UMG but also their strategic thinking regarding UI systems, process governance, and collaborative leadership within a game development studio context.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Systems Lead position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the ProbablyMonsters careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects demonstrating UMG/Common UI fluency, design system implementation, technical documentation, and cross-platform UI experience. Focus on case studies showing process improvement and systemic impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience with Unreal Engine UI frameworks, design systems, technical leadership, and your ability to audit and improve UI processes. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience through the STAR method, focusing on behavioral and technical questions related to UI systems, game engines, and team collaboration. Prepare your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Understand ProbablyMonsters' mission, their approach to game development, and their current or past titles to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides detailed insights tailored for operations and technical roles within the gaming industry. All information, including salary ranges and specific responsibilities, should be verified directly with ProbablyMonsters during the application and interview process.

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