Senior

Senior Software Engineer, UI | WoW Classic | Irvine, CA

Activision Blizzard

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

Team Name: World of Warcraft

Job Title:

Requisition ID:

R026860

Job Description:

The World of Warcraft Classic team is looking for a Senior Software Engineer with a strong gameplay foundation and a passion for building high-quality player-facing UI. In this role, you will contribute to gameplay and UI systems that support an authentic Classic experience while meeting modern expectations for polish, performance, and reliability.

While UI is a key area of focus, you should feel comfortable flexing beyond UI into gameplay and server-side systems when a feature or problem requires it. You’ll work closely with designers, artists, and engineers to translate gameplay and UI concepts into intuitive, responsive in-game features. This is an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to a live, beloved game while continuing to grow your technical breadth and depth.

This role offers a flexible hybrid work week, with a mix of remote and on-site days. While hybrid is the standard arrangement, you're also welcome to work on-site full-time if you prefer. Our primary studio location is in Irvine, CA.

Responsibilities:

Design and implement gameplay and player-facing UI features that support World of Warcraft Classic systems and content.
Collaborate with designers and artists to translate gameplay and UI/UX concepts into functional, polished, and performant in-game experiences.
Implement UI solutions within existing gameplay and engine frameworks, including data-driven UI elements, layout improvements, and targeted optimizations.
Own features end-to-end, including implementation, iteration, bug fixing, polishing, and ongoing maintenance.
Work with gameplay, server, and UI engineers to ensure features integrate cleanly across systems.
Partner with QA, design, and production to identify issues, assess risk, and help resolve problems before they reach players.
Apply sound engineering judgment when balancing gameplay fidelity, UI clarity, performance, and development timelines.
Support team collaboration through code reviews, technical discussions, and knowledge sharing.
Stay current with relevant gameplay, UI, and game development practices, and contribute ideas that improve workflows, tools, or player experience over time.

Minimum Requirements

8+ years of professional experience in a software engineering role or equivalent.
Strong proficiency in C++, Lua, or similar native and scripting languages.
Experience working on gameplay systems, player-facing features, or real-time applications.
Comfort collaborating across disciplines, including design, art, and QA.
Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Self-motivation and willingness to contribute across multiple areas of game development.

Extra Points

Experience building or supporting UI systems for games.
Familiarity with performance or memory optimization in real-time applications.
Experience working with client-server interactions or data-driven systems.
Understanding of World of Warcraft (Classic or modern), MMOs, or live service games.
Experience solving ambiguous, technically challenging problems through collaboration.
Familiarity with database technologies such as MySQL or Oracle.
A growth-oriented mindset and curiosity for learning new systems and techniques.
A passion for improving gameplay quality, player experience, and team collaboration.

Your Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

The video game industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all the qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $101,000.00 - $186,754.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.