Lead Technical Artist - Virtual Production

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work arrangement

Health benefits

Professional development budgets

Access to cutting-edge tech

Creative environment

High-profile projects

Pension plan

Job summary

WhatJobs Direct is seeking a Lead Technical Artist specializing in virtual production for our client in Bloemfontein. The role blends on-site collaboration in Bloemfontein with remote work, overseeing pipelines and tools for real-time assets and experiences.

You will lead a team of technical artists, develop shaders and tools for Unreal Engine/Unity, and collaborate with directors to push visual fidelity in cutting-edge productions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Game Development, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of experience as a Technical Artist, 2+ years in lead/senior role, preferably in virtual production or real-time.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling, texturing, and material creation software (Maya, Blender, Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Strong real-time engine skills with Unreal Engine or Unity; scripting in Python, MEL, or C#.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of virtual production pipelines and workflows.
• Create and optimize 3D assets, shaders, and materials for real-time rendering in Unreal/Unity.
• Develop custom tools, scripts, and plugins to streamline art production and improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with directors, cinematographers, and art teams to achieve visual goals in virtual production.
• Troubleshoot asset integration, rendering, and real-time performance issues.
• Research and implement new virtual production Tech and real-time graphics techniques.
• Manage and mentor a team of technical artists, providing guidance and support.
• Optimize assets and scenes for maximum performance in real-time applications.
• Ensure artistic quality and technical consistency across projects.
• Develop and maintain documentation for tools and pipelines.

Skills

3D modeling

Texturing

Material creation

Unreal Engine

Unity

Python

MEL

C#

Shaders

Lighting

Rendering

Motion capture

Camera tracking

Hybrid teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics

Tools

Maya

Blender

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

WhatJobs Direct is recruiting a Lead Technical Artist with a specialization in Virtual Production for our esteemed client in Bloemfontein. This role involves a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site collaboration in Bloemfontein with remote flexibility. You will be at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge virtual production techniques into our workflows, bridging the gap between art and technology. Your responsibilities will include developing tools, pipelines, and workflows that empower our artists and animators to create visually stunning assets and real-time experiences. This position demands a deep understanding of 3D software, real-time engines, and the principles of virtual production. If you are passionate about innovation, possess exceptional technical and artistic skills, and thrive in a hybrid environment, this is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of content creation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of virtual production pipelines and workflows.
• Create and optimize 3D assets, shaders, and materials for real-time rendering within engines like Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Develop custom tools, scripts, and plugins to streamline the art production process and enhance artist efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with directors, cinematographers, and art teams to achieve the desired visual outcomes in virtual production environments.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to asset integration, rendering, and real-time performance.
• Research and implement new technologies and techniques in virtual production and real-time graphics.
• Manage and mentor a team of technical artists, providing guidance and support.
• Optimize assets and scenes for maximum performance in real-time applications.
• Ensure artistic quality and technical consistency across all virtual production projects.
• Develop and maintain documentation for tools and pipelines.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Game Development, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience as a Technical Artist, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role, preferably in virtual production or real-time environments.
• Expertise in 3D modeling, texturing, and material creation software (e.g., Maya, Blender, Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Strong proficiency in real-time engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Experience with scripting languages like Python, MEL, or C# for tool development.
• Solid understanding of shaders, lighting, and rendering principles in real-time applications.
• Familiarity with motion capture, camera tracking, and other virtual production technologies.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid team environment, balancing collaborative and independent work.
• A keen eye for detail and a passion for pushing the boundaries of visual fidelity.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.
• Comprehensive health benefits.
• Professional development opportunities and training budgets.
• Access to cutting-edge virtual production technology.
• Creative and collaborative work environment.
• Opportunity to work on innovative and high-profile projects.
• Pension plan.