Lead Technical Artist - Real-time Rendering

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,494,000 - 2,324,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Home office budget

Flexible working hours

Remote work environment

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Technical Artist to drive real-time rendering innovation. This fully remote role bridges art and technology, developing shaders, optimizing pipelines, and building tools to empower artists worldwide.

You will lead a talented team, collaborate with engineers, and champion new tech to elevate visual fidelity across projects. The ideal candidate blends artistic vision with technical mastery, with extensive experience in modern game engines and real-time graphics.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience as a Technical Artist with a focus on real-time rendering.
• Proven experience leading technical art teams or projects.
• Expertise in creating and optimizing shaders using node-based editors and/or shader languages.
• Strong proficiency with Unreal Engine and/or Unity.
• Scripting for tools development (Python, MEL, C#).
• Deep understanding of 3D modeling, texturing, PBR workflows, and lighting.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of real-time rendering pipelines and workflows.
• Create and maintain advanced shaders, materials, and lighting in major game engines.
• Develop tools and scripts to automate art processes and boost productivity.
• Collaborate with engineers to implement and optimize rendering features.
• Guide and mentor junior technical artists in a remote team.
• Stay updated on latest real-time graphics techniques and engine tech.
• Profile and optimize assets for performance across target platforms.
• Contribute to technical art best practices and documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science | Computer Graphics | Fine Arts

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Python

MEL

C#

HLSL/GLSL

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an exceptional Lead Technical Artist to drive innovation in real-time rendering for their highly anticipated projects. This is a fully remote role, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere in the world. You will bridge the gap between art and technology, developing cutting-edge shaders, optimizing rendering pipelines, and creating tools that empower the art team to achieve breathtaking visual fidelity. The ideal candidate is a master of both artistic aesthetics and technical implementation, with a deep understanding of modern game engines and real-time graphics techniques. You will lead a team of talented technical artists, collaborate closely with engineers and artists, and champion the adoption of new technologies to elevate the visual quality of our products. This is a unique opportunity to shape the graphical future of our interactive experiences and contribute to visually stunning worlds from a remote setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and optimization of real-time rendering pipelines and workflows.
• Create and maintain advanced shaders, materials, and lighting setups within industry-standard game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Develop tools and scripts to automate art processes, improve efficiency, and enhance artist productivity.
• Collaborate closely with engineers to implement and optimize new rendering features.
• Work with art teams to establish visual targets and ensure assets meet technical and aesthetic requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues related to rendering, shaders, and asset integration.
• Mentor and guide junior technical artists, fostering a culture of learning and innovation.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in real-time graphics, rendering techniques, and engine technology.
• Profile and optimize assets and scenes for maximum performance across target platforms.
• Contribute to establishing technical art best practices and documentation.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience as a Technical Artist, with a significant focus on real-time rendering in the game or interactive media industry.
• Proven experience in leading technical art teams or projects.
• Expertise in creating and optimizing shaders using node-based editors and/or shader languages (HLSL, GLSL).
• Strong proficiency with one or more major game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or C# for tool development.
• Deep understanding of 3D modeling, texturing, PBR workflows, and lighting principles.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to debug complex technical issues.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working effectively in a remote team environment.
• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing advanced shader work, technical art solutions, and pipeline development is essential.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• This fully remote role offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a robust retirement savings plan.
• We provide flexible working hours and a generous budget for home office setup and professional development, including courses and conferences.
• Our client fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, providing access to cutting-edge technology and challenging projects.
• You'll be part of a team shaping the visual future of entertainment.
• We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive remote workforce, valuing contributions from individuals worldwide.
• Opportunities for career advancement and skill enhancement are abundant.
• Join us in creating visually spectacular real-time experiences from wherever you are.