Tech Art Intern

Epic Games; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Epic Games is seeking a Technical Art Intern to join the Rocket League team in the Cary area. You will bridge artists and engineers, building tools that speed up content into builds, authoring real-time materials, and profiling scenes to maintain frame rates from mobile to high-refresh PC.

You will collaborate with technical artists, rendering engineers, and environment artists, shipping playable builds and iterating quickly on feedback during art reviews and playtests.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Technical Art, Computer Science, Digital Media, or Game Development program (or portfolio strong enough to stand in).
• Scripting experience in Python, C#, or a DCC scripting API. Bonus for solving real problems.
• Hands-on with at least one 3D package (Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender) and the Substance suite.
• Working knowledge of Unreal Engine.

Responsibilities

• Build small pipeline tools and scripts to automate repetitive steps for artists.
• Profile arenas and assets in engine and help fix performance issues (draw calls, overdraw, texture memory, LODs, budgets).
• Author and iterate on real-time materials and shaders for Rocket League surfaces.
• Move assets from Maya/Blender through to a working engine setup and validate in a playable build.
• Collaborate with technical artists, rendering engineers, and environment artists to unblock issues.
• Present work in reviews and playtests and iterate based on feedback.

Skills

Scripting (Python/C#/DCC API)

3D package experience

Unreal Engine knowledge

Communication & problem solving

Education

Technical Art/CS/Digital Media/Game Dev program or strong portfolio

Tools

Unreal Engine

Maya / 3ds Max / Blender

Substance suite

Profiling tools (Unreal Insights/RenderDoc/PIX)

DCC scripting APIs

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

ART

What We Do

Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.

TECH ART INTERN

What You'll Do

We are looking for a Technical Art Intern to join the Rocket League team. You will sit between our artists and engineers: building tools that speed up how content gets into the build, authoring real-time materials, and profiling scenes so the game holds frame rate everywhere from mobile to high-refresh PC. You will have an impact on real work that ships into playable builds.

In this role, you will

• Build small pipeline tools and scripts (Python, UEFN/Verse, DCC scripting APIs) that automate repetitive steps for arena, vehicle, and cosmetics artists
• Profile arenas and assets in engine, then help fix what you find: draw calls, overdraw, texture memory, LODs, and vertex budgets
• Author and iterate on real-time materials and shaders for signature Rocket League surfaces
• Take assets from Maya, Blender, or Substance through to an optimized, working setup in engine and validate them in a playable build
• Work directly with technical artists, rendering engineers, and environment artists to unblock issues and document what you learn
• Show your work in art reviews and playtests, take feedback, and iterate quickly

What we're looking for

• Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a Technical Art, Computer Science, Digital Media, or Game Development program, or a portfolio strong enough to stand in for one
• Scripting experience in Python, C#, or a DCC scripting API. Bonus if you have written something that saved someone else time
• Hands-on with at least one 3D package (Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender) and the Substance suite
• Working knowledge of Unreal Engine
• Solid real-time rendering fundamentals: how lighting, shading, UV layout, texture memory, and poly budgets affect performance
• Genuine curiosity about performance. You like finding out why a frame is slow
• Clear, proactive communication. You raise blockers early instead of quietly grinding on them
• A portfolio or reel showing technical art work: tools, shaders, procedural systems, or optimization case studies
• Nice to have: profiling tools (Unreal Insights, RenderDoc, PIX), HLSL, Houdini, or experience shipping to mobile or console

This internship has a flexible start date in 2027. Recruitment will be ongoing until teams find an ideal match. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the posting location for the duration of the internship. This is going to be Epic!

ABOUT US

Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.