Senior Technical Artist - 3D Environment Art

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Hybrid work model

Career development

Cutting-edge tools

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Technical Artist specializing in 3D Environment Art to join our client’s team in Welkom. This role bridges artistic vision and technical execution to create optimized 3D environments for games and interactive experiences, with hybrid on-site and remote work.

You will develop tools, workflows, and shaders, mentor artists, and optimize rendering pipelines in Unreal Engine or Unity, with strong scripting in Python or MEL.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Digital Art, Game Design, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of experience as a Technical Artist, focusing on 3D environment art.
• Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, Blender; strong engine knowledge (Unreal/ Unity).
• Expertise in Python, MEL, or C# scripting; shader creation (HLSL/GLSL).
• Solid understanding of PBR workflows and asset optimization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain efficient 3D art pipelines for environment assets.
• Create and implement custom tools and scripts to automate tasks.
• Develop and optimize shaders, materials, and lighting within game engines.
• Collaborate with designers and art directors to meet artistic/technical requirements.
• Troubleshoot issues related to 3D assets and engine integration.
• Profile and optimize environments for performance and memory usage.
• Research new tech to enhance visual quality and workflow.
• Mentor junior technical artists and environment artists.
• Document processes and workflows for the art team.

Skills

3D environment art

Python scripting

MEL scripting

C# scripting

Shader creation

PBR workflows

Asset optimization

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Digital Art, Game Design, or related field

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Unreal Engine

Unity

Shader Graph

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading force in the Arts & Entertainment sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Technical Artist specializing in 3D Environment Art to join their dynamic team in Welkom. This role is pivotal in bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical execution, ensuring the creation of stunning, optimized, and performant 3D environments for games and interactive experiences. You will be responsible for developing tools, workflows, and shaders that empower the art team to achieve their creative goals efficiently. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of 3D art pipelines, scripting, and engine capabilities, coupled with a strong artistic eye. This position offers a hybrid work model, combining on-site collaboration with remote flexibility to suit project needs and team dynamics. We are committed to fostering an environment where technical expertise and artistic creativity converge to produce industry-leading visual content. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute your unique skills to visually rich projects, helping to shape immersive worlds and enhance the overall player experience. Your contributions will be vital in maintaining the high fidelity and performance standards expected in modern entertainment production. We are looking for someone who can not only solve complex technical challenges but also inspire and guide fellow artists in achieving their best work within the constraints of current technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain efficient 3D art pipelines, including asset creation, integration, and optimization.
• Create and implement custom tools and scripts (e.g., Python, MEL) to automate tasks and improve workflow for environment artists.
• Develop and optimize shaders, materials, and lighting setups within game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Collaborate with level designers and art directors to ensure environments meet artistic and technical requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to 3D art assets and engine integration.
• Profile and optimize 3D environments for performance, ensuring smooth frame rates and efficient memory usage.
• Research and implement new technologies and techniques to enhance visual quality and workflow efficiency.
• Mentor and support junior technical artists and environment artists.
• Document technical processes, tools, and workflows for the art team.
• Maintain a strong understanding of artistic principles and apply them to technical solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Digital Art, Game Design, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience as a Technical Artist, with a focus on 3D environment art.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Blender).
• Strong understanding of game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their rendering pipelines.
• Expertise in scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or C#.
• Experience with shader creation (e.g., HLSL, GLSL, Shader Graph).
• Solid understanding of PBR material workflows and asset optimization techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
• A portfolio showcasing technical art contributions to 3D environments.
• Experience in a hybrid work environment and strong self-management skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package, reflective of experience and expertise.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and creative tools.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• Contribution to high-profile projects within the Welkom entertainment scene.
• Retirement savings plan.
• A collaborative and supportive team atmosphere.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses.