Senior Technical Artist

Sumo Digital; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative studio in Newcastle upon Tyne seeks a Senior Technical Artist to solve technical challenges in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in scripting languages and experience with game development in Unreal Engine. This role involves collaborating on high-quality Technical Art projects and producing clear technical documentation. A strong commitment to innovation and teamwork is essential. Employees enjoy flexible working arrangements and extensive benefits.

Benefits

Annual bonus

Flexible benefits allowance

Salary sacrifice pension

Dental insurance

Private healthcare

Learning days

Qualifications

• Demonstrable understanding of scripting languages.
• Experience with Unreal Engine and Blueprint Scripting.
• Knowledge of industry standard 3D software.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Technical Art projects are creatively outstanding.
• Develop software and hardware solutions.
• Create technical documentation for projects.

Skills

Scripting language (Python, C# or C++)

Game development in Unreal Engine

Experience with Houdini

Troubleshooting skills

Optimising pipelines and processes

3D software packages (Maya, 3D Studio Max, etc.)

Art/animation pipelines knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Desire for graphical experimentation

Job description

About Atomhawk Atomhawk is the games industry’s go-to creative and technical partner. An award-winning, global studio who provides multi-discipline, creative support across the full game development pipeline.For 15 years, we have been providing world class creative services for clients such as : Warner Bros, Sony, Microsoft, EA, The Pokémon Company and Blizzard to name just a few. Our spectrum of projects covers the gritty, hard-hitting Mortal Kombat, to the historically-faithful Age of Empires series, comic book superheroes, nostalgic childhood favourites and all things in between.Our team's expertise covers Characters and Environment Concept Art, to Cinematics and Motion Graphics, Graphic Design and UI / UX, Technical Art and Engineering. Collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do as a studio – both internally with each other, and externally with our clients. Our philosophy is that every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve, and we support our teams with different styles of working that support them in achieving a high-quality on their projects and push their skills forward.Every Atomhawk applicant and employee is afforded space and freedom to be their true self, with no fear of prejudice or persecution. During the application process, you won't be judged on your name, your gender, your sexuality, your ethnicity, your age, your religion, or any other factor unrelated to your ability to do the job. Atomhawk is part of Sumo Digital Ltd, one of the UK’s leading videogame developers. Day in the life of a Senior Technical Artist : This role is open to Technical Artists at Senior or Principal level. As a Technical Artist at Atomhawk, you will be a skilled problem solver, who has a creatively pragmatic approach to solving technical challenges. The successful candidate will thrive in a technically creative and ever-changing environment working with some of the best brands in the digital entertainment sector.As a key member of the projects delivery team, you will ensure Technical Art projects are creatively outstanding and of a high technical quality. On a more practical level, the Technical Artist will be involved in development of software and hardware solutions tailored to suit the needs of a range of projects and clients. They will also take a positive role in developing the standard of Atomhawk’s own internal pipelines and tools.The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator and comfortable producing technical documentation whilst working with various degrees of ownership. What do you need to do this job :

• Demonstrable understanding of at least one scripting language such as Python, C# or C++
• Demonstrable understanding of game development in Unreal Engine with Blueprint Scripting
• Ideally demonstrable experience of making tools with Houdini
• Troubleshooting skills – Technical and project focused (e.g. people, process, tools, workflow etc).
• Understanding of methods for optimising pipelines, processes and assets for game engines.
• Technical proficiency and enthusiasm for understanding both external and proprietary tools + technology.
• Understanding of industry standard 3D software packages (Maya, 3D Studio Max, Motion Builder, zBrush etc).
• Experience and understanding of art / animation pipelines on modern game consoles.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Positive attitude and a desire to bring new ideas to the team.
• Desire to push graphical boundaries through experimentation.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team.
• . My Money : Annual bonus, flexible benefits allowance, salary sacrifice pension, benefits hub, payroll giving, an employee referral scheme (up to £1,000), financial / home buying consultations, workplace ISA and other schemes for tech loans, car loans and bicycles.
• My Lifestyle : Flexible working, 21 free choice days holiday (increasing to 25 with service), bank holidays, birthday day off, Christmas shutdown (Christmas Eve to New Year) and options to buy or sell up to a week of annual leave
• . My Health and Wellbeing : Dental insurance
• , income protection, life assurance, BUPA private healthcare
• , leading EAP programs (remote GP, mental health, physio, nutrition, lifestyle coaching and medical second opinions), critical illness cover
• , health cash plan
• and funded flu vaccines / eye tests.
• My Development : Structured Personal Development, regular appraisals and 8 learning days per annum.
• Extra Perks : A variety of in-studio perks, regular care packages, studio days out (family welcome), studio-led social activities (game jams, yoga, quizzes, life drawing and more), sabbaticals (at 10 years service) and annual gaming subscription.
• Opt-in benefits (part of our flexible benefits options).
• Inclusion and Belonging at Sumo Digital : We are dedicated to growing a sustainable business that provides security to our people while delivering a first-class experience to our partners and players.As a people business, the success of our people is the success of our company. We prioritise taking care of them with a focus on supporting them, nurturing their talent and providing a healthy, friendly, enriching, creative and safe environment in which to work.Sumo's employee diversity group, PRISM, exists to promote diversity, inclusion, equity, equality & wellbeing across the company and plays a key role in Sumo's ongoing goal of fostering environments where all employees feel safe, welcome & represented.Our charitable and community initiatives provide support for meaningful causes that matter to our employees, clients and partners.We continue to work to improve diversity in our recruitment and promotion processes, and to actively encourage people from marginalised groups to consider a career in the games industry.