Environment Artist - Spacescape Specialist / Worldbuilder

Cloud Imperium Games Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Environment Artist who specializes in creating stunning spacescapes. This role involves crafting immersive environments that enhance storytelling in a highly anticipated space simulation game. You will collaborate with a passionate art team to develop both hand-crafted and procedurally generated assets, ensuring each environment captivates players. Your expertise in tools like Houdini will be pivotal in bringing vast cosmic landscapes to life, from asteroid fields to derelict stations. Join a vibrant team that values diversity and creativity, and help shape the future of gaming in a collaborative and innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of scale, composition, and lighting in vast environments.
• Experience in shipping games or AAA production pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Design and build immersive space environments using procedural tools.
• Collaborate with Art Direction to define visual benchmarks.

Skills

Houdini

Environmental Storytelling

Shader Development

VFX Integration

Education

Degree in Art or Design

Experience in Game Development

Tools

Procedural Tools

Asset Libraries

Job description

Environment Artist - Spacescape Specialist / Worldbuilder

Apply locations Manchester time type Full time posted on Posted 21 Days Ago job requisition id JR101007

We are a crowdfunded company and have a dedicated and enthusiastic community of backers who are helping us create the “Best Damn Space Sim Ever”. We want to build the best we can deliver and we believe wholeheartedly in the value of exceptional diverse talent.

In Squadron 42, space isn’t just a backdrop: it’s a key part of the storytelling. This role is ideal for artists who are at home crafting and shaping the visual identity of space itself.

We’re looking for someone with a passion for Spacescaping, our term for atmospheric and large-scale space environment worldbuilding, using our powerful in-house engine along with procedural tools like Houdini to bring everything from chaotic asteroid fields to massive derelict orbital platforms to life in the universe of Squadron 42.

You’ll work alongside a seasoned art team to build environments that support both cinematic moments and player immersion — whether that’s a crumbling orbital terraforming facility, a Jupiter-scale electromagnetic space storm, or a battle-scarred ship graveyard.

For more information about life at Cloud Imperium Games, check this out - https://youtu.be/cXjp7SRBpIA

What does an Environment Spacescape Artist at CIG do?

• Design and build visually stunning and immersive space environments (spacescapes), both hand-crafted and procedurally driven.
• Develop and maintain asset libraries for common elements like Asteroid Fields, Nebulae, Derelict Stations, Orbital Structures, and more.
• Use procedural tools (e.g., Houdini) to create complex and holistic environmental content.
• Collaborate with Art Direction to define visual benchmarks and styles for different space regions and key story locations.
• Contribute to the final push and the road to release with polish passes and final content integration as we move toward shipping the game.
• Provide guidance and support to more junior team members.

What do we expect from our Environment Spacescape Artists?

• Deep understanding of scale, composition, lighting, and mood in environmental storytelling — especially in vast, open environments.
• Previous experience shipping a game or contributing to a cinematic/AAA production pipeline.
• Strong working knowledge of Houdini, particularly for procedural layout, scattering, volumetrics, or asset generation.
• Experience with shaders, VFX integration, and volumetrics is a strong plus.
• Clear, collaborative communication style and openness to give and receive feedback in a fast-paced development environment.
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively.

Diversity Statement

CIG is a global company, staunchly committed to cultivating a culture and workplace that celebrates all backgrounds, lifestyles, and perspectives. We are creating a space where authentic recognition, appreciation, and understanding of diversity are fostered by everyone. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strive to build a team that represents all walks of life, and we want every employee to bring their unique qualities to the work environment. The universe is as vast and varied as the people in it, and it’s our differences that make it special.

Fraud Statement

We are aware of people receiving job offers that fraudulently allege to be from CIG. These can be carried out through false websites, fake email addresses claiming to be from our company, or social media. We do not ask for your personal info like bank account numbers, identification numbers, etc., through social media or chat-based apps, nor do we request or send money for business equipment.

If you suspect fraud, please report it to your local authorities, as well as reaching out to us at info[@]cloudimperiumgames.com with any information you may have.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!