Technical Artist, Performance - StarCraft | Irvine, CA

BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 4,198,000 - 7,763,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Blizzard Entertainment is hiring a Technical Artist to support and optimize art production, focusing on performance and technical compliance. You will collaborate with programmers and other artists to improve pipelines and workflows in a hybrid Irvine, CA environment.

Minimum 5+ years in AAA game teams and shipped title experience are required. Strong knowledge of art pipelines, PBR, and Houdini is expected, with a proactive problem-solving mindset.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in AAA tech art game teams.
• Shipped at least one major title in a relevant role.

Responsibilities

• Validate asset creation practices and monitor game performance metrics.
• Address performance issues: collision, textures, meshes, UVs, shaders, overdraw, etc.
• Mentor team to ensure art is technically compliant and performant.
• Contribute to establishing and improving artist workflows.
• Provide technical support for artists and designers.
• Stay current on industry trends and game engine advancements.
• Identify risks and propose solutions bridging engineering and art.

Skills

AAA game engines

Art pipelines

Physically based rendering

3D/2D creation software

Scripting languages

Tools

Houdini

Job description

Team Name: StarCraft Job Title: Technical Artist, Performance - StarCraft | Irvine, CA Requisition ID: R028115

Blizzard Entertainment is assembling a team to build the next chapter of StarCraft, returning to a universe forged in interstellar war. This mission offers something new: crafting an original story-driven, open-world shooter while honoring the legacy of one of Blizzard's most beloved games. We are here to reignite this universe alongside you. We are here to make StarCraft, and it's about damn time. We are looking for a Technical Artist to help craft this new game for Blizzard. As a key member of the development team, you will be responsible for supporting and optimizing art production through technical and artistic expertise. You understand how to effectively problem-solve, innovate, and collaborate to monitor and address performance problems that arise. You are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, navigating fluid deadlines and changing priorities with purpose. This role offers a hybrid work week, with a mix of work-from-home and on-site days, based out of our Irvine studio.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside programmers to validate asset creation practices and monitor game performance metrics through profiling, captures, and pipelines.
• Address all aspects of performance in a hands‑on manner such as: collision, texture practices, mesh construction and UVs, shader performance, overdraw issues, and more.
• Mentor the team around you to ensure art is technically compliant and performant.
• Directly contribute to establishing and improving artist workflows.
• Be a force multiplier providing technical support for a small team of artists and designers.
• Remain current on industry trends including advancement in commercial game engines and workflow efficiencies.
• Proactively identify risks and propose solutions that bridge the gap between engineering and art.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience 5 + years of experience in AAA tech art game teams.
• Confirmed experience, having shipped at least one major title in a relevant role.

Knowledge & Skills

• In‑depth knowledge of AAA game engines with an understanding of art implementation and integration methods.
• Comprehensive understanding of art pipelines and good practice, including proficiency in industry‑standard 3D and 2D creation software.
• A portfolio with examples and detailed breakdowns showcasing your practical work.
• Strong understanding of physically based rendering.
• Knowledge and experience working in Houdini and other procedural content approaches.

Key Attributes

• A team‑oriented approach to your work, understanding the importance of collaboration and partnering with all departments.
• The ability to inspire others with an enthusiastic approach to game development and improving core skills.
• Self‑motivated and able to solve problems proactively.

Extra Points

• Experience working through early development R&D phases of a project is a plus.
• Solid understanding of game development outside of technical art (e.g. lighting, VFX, characters, animation, audio, rendering, systems).
• Understanding of scripting languages.
• Passion for playing a wide variety of video games.

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well‑being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including: Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance; 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching; Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave; Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others; If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full‑time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

Rewards

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $30.47 - $56.35 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process.

In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

Research shows that women and members of other under‑represent‑ed groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do!

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to [e-mail]. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Blizzard Entertainment® is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software. After establishing the Blizzard Entertainment label in 1994, the company quickly became one of the most popular and well‑respected makers of computer games. By focusing on creating well‑designed, highly enjoyable entertainment experiences, Blizzard Entertainment has maintained an unparalleled reputation for quality since its inception.