Technical Artist

Pipeworks, Inc.; Eugene (OR); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

401K with employer match

Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy

Generous Paid Time Off

20 Paid Company Holidays

Relocation

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Fitness Club Discounts

Sports Team Sponsorship

Annual Company Events

Project Wrap Parties

Job summary

Pipeworks Studios in Eugene, Oregon, seeks a Technical Artist to support scripting and tools, partnering with artists and engineers to optimize workflows for game content. The role is full-time, with remote, hybrid, or onsite options, and reports to the Art department.

The position emphasizes animation support, tooling, and production-ready pipelines. The candidate should have 3+ years in a similar role, strong MEL/Python and C# skills, Unreal experience, and a solid understanding of art

Qualifications

• Maya with custom script tools to streamline artist workflow.
• Unreal Engine experience is required; Unreal 5 is a plus.
• Focus on animation support from rigging to pipelines to tools.
• Strong understanding of animation and production of strong animations.
• Technical support for the animation team on projects.
• Strong software development and programming skills.
• Understanding of artistic concepts: modeling, lighting, shading.
• Ability to balance technical and artistic needs with creative compromise.
• Willingness to explore multiple solutions and discard incorrect approaches.
• Proficiency in C# and Python/MEL; familiarity with C++.
• General knowledge of programmable shaders.
• Attention to detail; strong interest in games; team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Partner with artists and engineers to develop efficient workflows for game content.
• Build, maintain, and document tools, scripts, and pipeline improvements.
• Support art asset integration into the game and ensure correct function.
• Investigate and resolve technical issues across assets, materials, animation, lighting, VFX, UI.
• Profile and optimize art content to meet performance and memory targets.
• Establish technical art guidelines and content standards with leadership.
• Create prototypes and examples for visual production-ready approaches.
• Evaluate art workflows and recommend quality/production trade-offs.
• Work with QA and development to identify and fix content defects.
• Provide technical support, training, and documentation for artists.
• Participate in planning and estimation by identifying dependencies and risks.

Skills

MEL/Python scripting

Animation workflow

C# programming

Python programming

Shader concepts

General software development

Artistic concepts: modeling, lighting,

C++ familiarity

Education

Art and Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Maya

Unreal Engine

Job description

Technical Artist

Department: Art

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Eugene, OR

Compensation: $70,000 - $82,000 / year

Description

The Technical Artist will work with the Senior Technical Artist to support various projects on their technical art needs from scripting to tools.

This is a full-time temporary role with the possibility of extension or conversion to regular full-time employment after six months. Our studio is based in Eugene, Oregon, and the role may be performed remotely, in a hybrid arrangement, or in the office.

Day To Day

Responsibilities

• Partner with artists and engineers to develop efficient, reliable workflows for creating and implementing game content.


• Build, maintain, and document tools, scripts, and pipeline improvements that reduce repetitive work and improve content quality.


• Support the integration of art assets into the game and help ensure they function as intended.


• Investigate and resolve technical issues involving assets, materials, animation, lighting, visual effects, user interface content, or other visual systems within the role’s assigned scope.


• Profile and optimize art content to meet established performance, memory, quality, and platform targets.


• Establish and communicate technical art guidelines, validation practices, and content standards in partnership with project leadership.


• Create prototypes and technical examples that demonstrate production-ready approaches to visual challenges.


• Evaluate proposed art workflows and recommend solutions that balance visual quality, production efficiency, and technical constraints.


• Work with QA and development teams to identify, reproduce, prioritize, and resolve content-related defects.


• Provide technical support, training, and documentation for artists and other content creators.


• Participate in planning and estimation by identifying technical dependencies, risks, and implementation needs.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

Must Haves

• Working knowledge of Maya, specifically the ability to create custom script tools (MEL /Python) that streamline artist workflow and/or increase efficiency.


• Unreal experience is a must; Unreal 5 a benefit.


• A focus on animation support from rigging to pipelines to tools for animation.


• A strong understanding of animation and all the steps involved in creating strong animations.


• Technical support for the animation team on any given project.


• Overall strong software development and programming skills.


• Understanding of "artistic concepts," e.g. modeling, lighting, and shading.


• Ability to assess sometimes contradictory technical and artistic needs, and come up with creative compromise solutions.


• A readiness to explore multiple solutions to multiple problems simultaneously, and a willingness to - occasionally - have work discarded.


• Working knowledge of C# and Python/MEL required.


• Familiarity with C++ or other high-level languages beneficial.


• General knowledge of programmable shaders helpful.


• Overall attention to detail, both visually and technically.


• Strong interest in the industry and a desire to make games.


• Ability to work as part of a game team.

Nice-To-Have Skills

• Understanding of 3D art.


• Understanding of Unity.

Demonstrated Ability To

• Make quality decisions within a project that improved the animation process.


• Work effectively with other artists and engineers to achieve project goals.


• Solve problems to the benefit of the project/team.

Education & Experience

• 3+ years of experience in a similar role.


• Any degree or certification in both Art and Engineering or equivalent work experience.
  

What We Can Offer You

A Flexible Working Environment

Almost all of our roles allow for your choice of work location. We're happy to support our team no matter where they prefer to work: remote, in office, or hybrid.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision


• 401K with employer match


• Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy


• Generous Paid Time Off


• 20 Paid Company Holidays


• Relocation


• Paid Parental Leave


• Employee Assistance Program


• Fitness Club Discounts


• Sports Team Sponsorship


• Annual Company Events


• Project Wrap Parties

A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Pipeworks Studios recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all of our employees feel included and empowered to bring ideas to the the table. We value each employee's unique experiences and perspectives and recognize that it is both the smart and right thing to foster diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization.

By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!

Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Diversity Report.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications above.