Zachary Lewis

Technical Focus

Engine-agnostic UI architecture & systems design with a focus on long-term maintainability and reuse
Unreal Engine 2–5; embedded collaboration within proprietary AAA engines (Naughty Dog internal engine, Guerrilla Games’ Decima)
UI middleware integration across multiple generations (ActionScript & Scaleform, XAML & NoesisGUI), balancing legacy support with forward progress
UI/UX design-to-implementation workflows (Adobe, Rive, Figma), from early prototyping through shipping
Accessibility design & implementation as a first-class system
Mentorship, technical direction, and team leadership across projects and disciplines

Lead UI Engineer, Remote (2023–Present)

Hired as studio-wide UI Engineering Lead, responsible for defining UI technical direction for Crystal Dynamics' first Unreal Engine titles
Part of a small UI/UX leadership group functioning in lieu of a director, shaping studio-wide UI strategy, priorities, and execution
Directed adoption and integration of NoesisGUI as the studio's UI middleware, establishing shared UI architecture and engineering standards
Designed and developed reusable UI systems and tooling used across multiple projects, including Tomb Raider: Catalyst, Tomb Raider: The Legacy of Atlantis, and additional unannounced titles
Partnered with gameplay, design, and production teams to define UI requirements and guide features from concept through implementation
Managed and mentored a team of UI engineers (mid–senior), including career development, performance management, and navigating organizational changes
Collaborated closely with co-development partners (Flying Wild Hog) across time zones to ensure consistent UI implementation and quality
Worked with third-party vendors (e.g., Noesis, Rive) and internal tech leadership to identify cross-project risks and influence technical decisions

UI Engineer → UI Systems Lead, Bend, OR/Remote (2018–2023)

Shipped Days Gone (PS4), contributing UI implementation, late-stage polish, and post-launch support, including new UI for DLC challenges and game modes
Served as a core UI engineer on Days Gone (PC), refactoring UI systems to support mouse/keyboard input, PC UX expectations, and expanded accessibility
Functioned as de facto UI Engineering Lead on a subsequent unannounced title, defining UI architecture and workflows for a new project built on Decima
Embedded with Naughty Dog, contributing UI tooling and learning proprietary engine workflows through close collaboration with their UI and engine teams
Led accessibility implementation across UI, input, and settings, and served as a subject-matter resource across SIE—consulting with hardware teams on accessibility controller support, collaborating with first-party studios, and advising storefront teams on presenting accessibility features to players

Software Engineer (UI, Gameplay & Systems), Huntsville, AL (2017–2018)

Proprietor, Huntsville, AL (2010–Present)

Software Engineer, Huntsville, AL (2008–2017)

Computer Operator, Huntsville, AL (2004–2007)

Shipped console release, establishing the foundation for a subsequent PC refactor
Lead UI refactor for PC release, adapting a console-first UI to mouse/keyboard input, PC settings expectations, and expanded accessibility
Established input and UI patterns that avoided common "bad port" pitfalls and were widely praised at launch

UI/UX design and implementation for public-facing military games in Unreal Engine 2–4
Core UI systems across multiple shipped releases
Collaboration with design and gameplay teams to deliver accessible, player-facing experiences
Shipped features spanning menus, HUDs, and data-driven UI systems

UI and systems development for an internal Unreal Engine 3–4 platform used to rapidly deploy custom training simulators
Design and implementation of reusable UI frameworks supporting multiple downstream trainers
Collaboration with military stakeholders to adapt UX for non-traditional users and constrained environments
Integration with external hardware and simulation systems where required

Full implementation of mounted weapon pawn recreating the CROWS II weapon system, including UI, input, cameras, and weapon systems
Created low-level netcode interop between UE4 and custom motion platform hardware

Engineered enterprise software supporting real-world convoy planning and regulation
Translated complex stakeholder requirements into shipped systems and user workflows
Authored technical design documentation, project bids, and delivery metrics

Shipped a commercial game to Steam, including build, packaging, and platform integration on macOS
Integrated third-party platform services to support distribution and deployment
Delivered production-ready solutions under ambiguous requirements and limited support

Early-career work spanning networked sensors, physical prototyping, and hardware-adjacent software
Programming and integration of motion and environmental sensing systems
Mechanical prototyping and part modeling using SolidWorks and rapid fabrication techniques

University of Alabama Huntsville, Huntsville, AL (2010)

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN (2008)

A webapp created for when you need a codename.

Increased visibility and use of the FlashPunk AS3 game library by rebranding, creating a website, video tutorials and developer community.

Created several games using FlashPunk, including Space Junk, which placed first in Boing Boing's Games Inspired By Music competition.