Tech Artist - 2d Project (Unity)

Pine Creek Games; United States; Remote; USD 57,000 - 77,000; Part time

Job summary

Pine Creek Games is seeking a Tech Artist or Art Programmer to join a small remote team. You will help with shader implementation, performance optimization, and visual effects across Unity workflows.

Responsibilities include building art pipelines, scripting tools, and collaborating with engineers and artists to ensure efficient rendering. This freelance/consultant role runs for 4–5 months with CET-based daily syncs.

Qualifications

• Experience building art pipelines and shaders for real-time rendering.
• Proficient in Unity workflow and asset integration.
• Familiarity with performance profiling and optimization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain art pipelines and tools that move assets efficiently from DCC applications (Photoshop, ToonBoom) into engine (Unity).
• Develop and debug shaders and materials in collaboration with artists and engineers.
• Create particle and visual effects.
• Set up and troubleshoot character rigs, skinning, and animation pipelines.
• Establish and enforce technical art standards, naming conventions, LODs, texture budgets, poly counts.
• Profile and optimize art assets for performance (draw calls, memory, shader complexity).
• Collaborate closely with engineers on engine-side rendering features and with artists on workflow pain points.
• Document pipelines and tools.

Skills

Unity development

C#

HLSL

Shader Graph

ToonBoom

Switch port optimization

Mobile port optimization

Job description

Pine Creek Games is looking for a Tech Artist or Art Programmer. We require experience working in at least one other game company, preferably a small indie studio like ours.

You will become a part of a small team of around 9 members, where you will help with shader implementation and anticipating issues with performance. As well as particles, lighting, colour grading, shadows, and additional post-processing.

We are a fully remote company with no office, so you can work from where you want, within the required time zone, so we can still meet for daily syncs. We offer a friendly work environment and strive to make it a safe and inclusive workplace.

What we offer:

• Salary of 40.000 DKK Monthly
• Remote workplace within CEST time zone + or - 2 hours
• A positive and friendly work environment

Your responsibilities are:

• Build and maintain art pipelines and tools that move assets efficiently from DCC applications (Photoshop, ToonBoom.) into engine (Unity)
• Develop and debug shaders and materials in collaboration with artists and engineers
• Create particle and visual effects
• Set up and troubleshoot character rigs, skinning, and animation pipelines
• Establish and enforce technical art standards, naming conventions, LODs, texture budgets, poly counts
• Profile and optimize art assets for performance (draw calls, memory, shader complexity)
• Collaborate closely with engineers on engine-side rendering features and with artists on workflow pain points
• Document pipelines and tools

Candidate Must have Experience with:

• Unity development
• C# and HLSL (high level shading language) and Shader graph
• ToonBoom or other 2d animation software
• Switch and Mobile port optimization

Practical Info:

• Contract type: Freelance/Consultant
• Contract duration: 4-5 month contract
• Deadline: Rolling applications until we find a candidate.
• Consultancy start: As soon as possible