UI Technical Designer (Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Technical Designer (Contract)

Company: Kabam

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: Contractor

Category: Technical Art / UI Design

Date Posted: July 24, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Implement, animate, and optimize complex UI systems within a game engine environment, focusing on user experience and visual fidelity.

• Translate UX layouts, motion intent, and visual style into functional, performant, and player-facing user interfaces.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including UX designers, UI artists, programmers, and producers to craft engaging UI interactions and moments.

• Define and maintain UI standards, technical pipelines, and workflows to ensure consistency and efficiency across game projects.

• Utilize animation, scripting (C#), and VFX to bring interfaces to life, ensuring high visual quality and optimal performance on mobile platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a contract position focused on the technical implementation and animation of UI elements within a game engine. The emphasis is on bringing designs to life with a strong understanding of motion graphics, technical constraints, and performance optimization specifically for mobile gaming. The "Contract" nature suggests a project-based engagement, likely requiring a strong portfolio and ability to integrate quickly into existing workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Implement and iterate on UX/UI prototypes and designs directly within the game engine (Unity/Unreal).

• Set up and refine UI element feedback, behavior, and animations to create satisfying user interactions.

• Leverage industry-leading techniques for motion graphics and VFX within mobile games, contributing to internal tool and structure improvements.

• Partner with engineers, game designers, UX designers, and production to define technical requirements and identify potential gaps or constraints.

• Support the creative and technical teams by iterating on solutions and contributing to the overall visual and interactive quality of the UI.

• Maintain UI technical best practices, ensuring efficient asset integration within defined technical constraints and optimization guidelines.

• Prototype shaders and develop tools for UI enhancement and workflow efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on, in-engine role that bridges the gap between design and engineering. The need to "prototype shaders" and "write tools for UI" indicates a requirement for advanced technical skills beyond standard UI implementation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Interaction Design, Art, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical work experience.

Experience: 2+ years of professional experience as a UI Technical Designer, VFX Artist, or Technical Motion Designer.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of Motion Graphics principles and their application to Interaction Design.

• Proficiency with timeline-based animation tools.

• Hands-on experience with real-time game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.

• Solid understanding of C# for scripting and tool development.

• Experience in prototyping shaders.

• Experience writing tools for UI development.

• Experience with Unity GUI or NGUI framework.

• Familiarity with 3D tools like Maya or 3DS Max.

• Knowledge of UI technical best practices for Console, PC, or Mobile platforms.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic team setting. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Design Systems.

• Understanding of performance optimization techniques for mobile games.

• Experience with visual effects (VFX) implementation for UI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for specific Unity GUI/NGUI experience, shader prototyping, and tool development points towards a need for a candidate who can not only implement but also enhance the UI development pipeline. The "2+ years" experience aligns with a mid-level role, expecting a solid foundation but also room for growth.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of effective UI implementation within a game engine (Unity/Unreal preferred).

• Case studies showcasing the translation of UX/UI designs into functional, animated interfaces.

• Examples of motion graphics and VFX applied to UI elements, highlighting visual polish and interaction feedback.

• Projects demonstrating technical problem-solving, such as shader prototyping or UI tool development.

• Evidence of optimizing UI performance and asset integration within technical constraints.

• Examples of collaboration with design, art, and programming teams. Process Documentation:

• Showcase of workflow for integrating UI assets from design to engine.

• Examples of iterative design processes for UI animations and interactions.

• Documentation or explanation of how technical constraints and optimization guidelines were managed.

• Examples of contributions to defining or improving UI pipelines and standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, as it will serve as the primary demonstration of the candidate's technical and artistic capabilities in UI implementation and animation within a game engine context. The portfolio should explicitly highlight the requested technical skills such as shader work, C# scripting for UI tools, and engine-specific UI frameworks.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $42 - $52 CAD per hour (approx. $81,900 - $101,400 CAD annually, assuming a 40-hour work week).

Explanation of Range: This hourly range is specific to the Vancouver, BC, Canada location. Compensation is determined by candidate knowledge, skills, and competencies. Kabam encourages applications even if expectations don't fully align, as experience level will be a key consideration.

Benefits:

• Contract role with potential for extension or conversion based on performance and business needs.

• Opportunity to work on high-profile, award-winning mobile games.

• Collaborative and fun-loving work environment at a leading game development studio.

• Exposure to cutting-edge game development technologies and techniques.

• Professional development opportunities through project work and team collaboration.

Working Hours: Standard 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime depending on project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate for a contract role in Vancouver, Canada. Based on industry benchmarks for Technical UI Designers with 2-5 years of experience, this range is competitive. While specific benefits for contract roles can vary, the emphasis on project impact and studio culture suggests a rewarding engagement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Video Game Development (Free-to-Play Mobile Games).

Company Size: Approximately 500-1000 employees (based on typical Kabam information and industry context).

Founded: 2006. Kabam has a history of developing successful, social multiplayer games with high-quality graphics and innovative gameplay.

Team Structure:

• The UI Technical Designer will likely be part of a larger Game Development team, working closely with UX Designers, UI Artists, Programmers, and Producers.

• The team operates within a project-based structure, focusing on specific game titles or features.

• Collaboration is key, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional communication and shared ownership of game development goals. Methodology:

• Agile development methodologies are common in game development, emphasizing iterative development, rapid prototyping, and continuous feedback.

• Data-driven decision-making is likely, with a focus on player engagement, retention, and monetization metrics influencing UI design and optimization.

• Emphasis on maintaining a high visual quality bar while adhering to strict technical constraints and performance targets.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Kabam is known for its culture of passion, collaboration, and a drive to create engaging, high-quality games. The company's history with successful titles like Marvel Contest of Champions and Shop Titans underscores its commitment to innovation and player experience. The team structure will likely be project-oriented, demanding strong teamwork and adaptability.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Technical Designer. This role requires a solid foundation in UI implementation, animation, and technical art, with the ability to work independently on defined tasks and contribute to technical solutions.

Reporting Structure: The UI Technical Designer will likely report to a Lead UI Designer, Technical Art Director, or a Game Director, depending on the specific project structure. They will work closely with a multidisciplinary team.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the player's experience by ensuring the user interface is not only visually appealing but also intuitive, responsive, and performant. High-quality UI design and implementation are critical for player engagement, retention, and overall game success, especially in the competitive free-to-play mobile market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in areas like advanced shader creation, complex UI animation systems, or performance optimization for mobile.

• Technical Leadership: Potentially move into a Senior UI Technical Designer role, mentoring junior team members and taking ownership of more complex UI systems.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exploration: Gain exposure to other areas of game development, such as VFX or gameplay programming, by collaborating closely with those teams.

• Project Ownership: Take on greater responsibility for UI implementation on new features or entire game projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a contract role, growth is often measured by successful project completion, expanded responsibilities within the contract duration, and the potential for contract extensions or conversion to a full-time position. The focus is on demonstrating expertise and contributing significantly to the project's success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. This role requires the candidate to work from Kabam's Vancouver office.

Office Location(s): Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative studio environment designed to foster creativity and teamwork among game developers.

• Access to industry-standard hardware and software, including powerful workstations equipped for game development.

• Opportunities for informal and formal collaboration with colleagues across various disciplines.

• A culture that values open communication and the sharing of ideas.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday, with flexibility potentially available based on project needs and team agreements. As a contract role, adherence to agreed-upon working hours and project deadlines is crucial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Vancouver suggests a preference for in-person collaboration and direct team interaction, which is often beneficial for complex technical and creative tasks in game development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess technical skills, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview: A discussion focused on your experience with game engines (Unity/Unreal), C# scripting, motion graphics, shader prototyping, and UI optimization. You may be asked to walk through specific projects in your portfolio.

• Technical/Creative Challenge: A practical exercise designed to evaluate your ability to implement UI elements, create animations, or solve a specific technical UI problem within a given timeframe. This might involve a small coding assignment or a design/implementation task.

• Team/Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation to assess your collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and how you would integrate into the existing team dynamics. Questions may delve into your experience working in game development environments.

• Final Interview: Potentially a meeting with a senior leader to discuss overall fit and expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly align with the job requirements (UI implementation, animation, technical art, game engines, C#).

• Highlight Technical Contributions: Clearly articulate your specific role and technical contributions in each project. For UI Technical Design, this means detailing your engine work, scripting, shader implementation, and optimization efforts.

• Demonstrate Process: Explain your workflow from design concept to engine implementation, including how you addressed technical challenges and constraints.

• Showcase Motion & VFX: Include video examples of UI animations and VFX, emphasizing fluidity, responsiveness, and visual impact.

• Quantify Achievements: If possible, mention any performance improvements or efficiency gains you achieved through your work.

• Engine Specifics: If possible, include examples built in Unity or Unreal Engine, and mention the specific UI frameworks used.

Challenge Preparation:

• Engine Proficiency: Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to work within Unity or Unreal Engine, particularly with UI systems.

• Problem-Solving: Think about common UI challenges in mobile games (performance, responsiveness, asset management) and how you would approach them technically.

• Code Snippets: Have examples of C# code ready that demonstrate your scripting capabilities for UI tools or functionality.

• Communication: Be ready to explain your technical decisions clearly and concisely, as if presenting to a mixed audience of designers and engineers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on the portfolio to validate stated skills. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their technical decisions and creative process in detail, especially concerning engine implementation, C# scripting, and motion graphics within a game development context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Game Engines: Unity (primary focus, deep experience with Unity GUI or NGUI framework), Unreal Engine (familiarity).

• Scripting Language: C# (essential for Unity development and tool creation).

• 3D Modeling Software: Maya, 3DS Max (for asset creation/manipulation if needed).

• Animation Tools: Timeline-based animation tools within game engines.

• VFX Tools: In-engine VFX systems.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus of this role, understanding how UI design impacts player analytics (e.g., click-through rates, engagement metrics) is beneficial. Familiarity with in-game analytics platforms may be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role. Focus is on in-game development tools and pipelines. Other Potential Tools:

• Shader development tools/languages (e.g., Shader Graph in Unity, HLSL/GLSL).

• Version Control Systems (e.g., Git, Perforce).

• Project Management Software (e.g., Jira, Asana).

• Design Software (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma - for understanding design inputs).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Unity and C# is critical. The mention of NGUI suggests a potential need to work with older or legacy UI systems, in addition to newer ones. Experience with shader prototyping indicates a need for a deeper technical understanding of visual rendering within the UI.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, polished UI that meets both aesthetic and technical standards.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing open communication, shared problem-solving, and mutual support across disciplines.

• Passion for Gaming: A genuine enthusiasm for creating fun, engaging, and memorable gaming experiences for players.

• Innovation & Iteration: Embracing new techniques, tools, and creative solutions to continuously improve the game and player experience.

• Adaptability: The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced game development environment and adapt to evolving project needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with UX Designers to interpret and implement their vision, and with UI Artists to ensure visual consistency.

• Frequent interaction with Programmers to integrate UI systems and address technical challenges.

• Regular communication with Producers and Game Designers to align UI development with game features and project goals.

• A culture of constructive feedback and iterative refinement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Kabam's stated values of "passion and diversity," "collaborative nature," and "drive to do what it takes" are central. For a UI Technical Designer, this translates to a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where technical skill meets creative passion.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics and Performance: Ensuring that visually rich and animated UI elements perform optimally on a wide range of mobile devices without compromising player experience.

• Technical Constraints: Working within the limitations of game engines, platform SDKs, and specific project technical budgets (e.g., draw calls, memory usage).

• Iterative Design Cycles: Adapting quickly to design changes and feedback, requiring efficient implementation and iteration processes.

• Cross-Disciplinary Communication: Effectively translating design intent to technical implementation and vice-versa, bridging gaps between different specializations.

• Tooling and Pipeline Development: Contributing to the improvement of internal tools and workflows to enhance efficiency for the entire UI team.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Engine Features: Opportunity to explore and master advanced UI features within Unity/Unreal, including complex animation controllers, UI scripting, and performance profiling.

• Shader Development: Deepen expertise in shader creation and optimization for real-time rendering within the UI context.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Gain insights into UX design principles, UI art pipelines, and game programming by working closely with these teams.

• Technical Art Specialization: Develop a strong niche in technical art for UI, a highly sought-after skill in the gaming industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges in this role are typical of technical art positions in game development, requiring a blend of artistic sensibility and technical rigor. The growth opportunities are geared towards building specialized, in-demand skills within the gaming sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex UI system you implemented in Unity/Unreal. What were the technical challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on C#, engine features, optimization).

• "How do you approach translating a 2D UX layout into a dynamic, animated 3D UI element in-engine?" (Discuss your process, tools, and considerations for motion and interaction).

• "Walk me through your portfolio piece that best demonstrates your shader prototyping skills. What was the goal, and what was your approach?" (Be ready to explain the technical aspects of shader creation).

• "How do you ensure your UI implementations are performant on mobile devices?" (Discuss optimization techniques, asset management, and performance profiling). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for Kabam, and what attracts you to technical art in the gaming industry?" (Research Kabam's games, values, and recent news).

• "Describe a time you had to collaborate with a designer or programmer who had a different perspective. How did you resolve the conflict?" (Highlight your communication and problem-solving skills).

• "How do you stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in UI design and game development?" (Show your proactive learning approach). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by skill demonstrated.

• Narrative: For each project, tell a story: What was the problem or goal? What was your role? What was your technical approach? What was the outcome or impact?

• Technical Deep Dives: Be prepared to "open up" your projects in the engine or show code snippets to demonstrate your technical proficiency.

• Conciseness: Focus on quality over quantity. Highlight your most relevant and impactful work.

• Visuals: Use high-quality videos and clear screenshots to showcase your work effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your technical process in detail, especially regarding engine-specific implementation, C# scripting, and shader development. Your portfolio is your primary tool, so be ready to present and defend your work thoroughly.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Lever.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with Unity/Unreal Engine, C# scripting, motion graphics, shader prototyping, and UI optimization within game development contexts. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, easily accessible (e.g., via a personal website or a dedicated portfolio platform), and clearly showcases projects demonstrating the required skills. Focus on projects that highlight your technical implementation and animation capabilities.

• Practice Your Presentation: Rehearse walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on clearly explaining your technical contributions, challenges overcome, and the outcomes achieved. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your work.

• Research Kabam: Familiarize yourself with Kabam's games, company culture, and recent news. This will help you tailor your responses during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.

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