Lead Graphics Programmer

Steel City Interactive; Great Houghton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic game studio in the United Kingdom is seeking a Staff Technical Artist who will architect scalable art pipelines and lead the technical direction of multiple projects. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in game development with a strong command of tools like Unity and expertise in programming languages such as C# and Python. You will enhance collaboration, mentor senior artists, and ensure high-quality mobile gaming experiences. Join us in revolutionizing the gaming community, valuing inclusivity and innovation.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Technical Artist in game development.
• Proven track record of building and scaling cross‑functional pipelines.
• Strong programming/scripting skills in C# and Python.
• Mastery of mobile performance optimization and rendering pipelines (URP).
• Hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge workflows.

Responsibilities

• Architect and oversee scalable art pipelines across multiple projects.
• Design and implement new tools and processes for workflow efficiency.
• Mentor senior ICs and translate strategy into actionable tasks.
• Facilitate cross‑functional communication across teams.
• Oversee multiple technical workflows simultaneously.

Skills

Unity

Blender

Substance

Maya

Photoshop

C#

Python

Mobile performance optimization

Real-time rendering

Job description

Who We Are

At Fortis Games we aspire to make great games that bring people together while redefining how game companies work. We believe in building a sense of belonging through our games, their communities, and how we operate and treat each other. Through our game communities, we will create powerful connections and lasting memories. We will foster a culture of diversity, equity and belonging where together our diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds impact the games we make. We are an early but mighty organization with a leadership team of game industry veterans. There are many opportunities for you to have a big impact on the products we’ll be making as well as on the overall direction of the company. If you’re passionate about tackling difficult problems with direct and thoughtful communication and a team‑first mentality, we may be the right place for you.

About the Role

As a Staff Technical Artist at Fortis Games, you will take a leading role in shaping the technical foundations of our art pipelines across multiple projects. You’ll independently design and implement complex solutions, introduce new processes that drive creative and technical work forward, and partner with senior leaders across art, design, and engineering to ensure seamless collaboration. This role goes beyond supporting production – it’s about building scalable systems, leading senior ICs, and facilitating cross‑functional communication so that our teams can deliver innovative, high‑quality experiences efficiently. You will serve as both a technical leader and mentor, helping Fortis push the boundaries of art and technology in mobile gaming.

What You’ll Achieve

• Architect and oversee scalable art pipelines across multiple projects, ensuring consistency, technical efficiency, and creative flexibility.
• Design and implement new tools and processes that accelerate iteration, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance collaboration between art, design, and engineering teams.
• Introduce and evaluate emerging technologies (e.g., procedural systems, AI‑assisted pipelines, real‑time rendering) to keep Fortis at the forefront of technical innovation.
• Mentor senior ICs, translating strategy into actionable tasks and fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
• Facilitate cross‑functional communication, aligning art, engineering, and production workflows to keep goals clear and achievable.
• Oversee multiple technical workflows simultaneously, balancing near‑term production needs with long‑term scalability.
• Elevate performance and visual quality through advanced optimization techniques for mobile platforms (e.g., draw calls, shaders, polycounts, overdraw).
• Champion collaboration and knowledge sharing by modeling best practices and influencing cross‑functional initiatives at the organizational level.

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

• Extensive experience as a Technical Artist in game development, with expertise across Unity and DCC tools (Blender, Substance, Maya, Photoshop).
• Proven track record of building and scaling cross‑functional pipelines that serve multiple projects.
• Strong programming/scripting skills in C# and Python, with deep experience developing automation and pipeline tools.
• Mastery of mobile performance optimization and rendering pipelines (URP).
• Hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge workflows (e.g., procedural generation, AI‑assisted art, real‑time rendering).
• Demonstrated success in mentoring and guiding Sr. ICs, aligning their work to broader business and creative goals.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and drive cross‑functional alignment.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity, making strategic decisions with limited precedent while ensuring execution remains on track.

Why Join Us

We strongly believe we are changing how game studios operate and at the core of what we do is making great games that create a connected community. We’re not just about making games where you belong; we’re also about building communities where our people belong. Fortis is a thriving environment that celebrates diversity, embraces inclusivity, and fosters growth. Build and grow with a seasoned team of accomplished talent who have left an impactful mark in their disciplines, both in and out of gaming.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fortis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.