Lead Virtual Production Technical Artist

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Virtual Production Technical Artist in George, Western Cape to oversee the real-time rendering pipeline for virtual production. You will lead a team of technical artists, optimize Unreal Engine workflows, and manage motion capture and asset pipelines to deliver cinematic, high-fidelity scenes.

You will collaborate with directors, cinematographers, and VFX teams to translate creative vision into effective technical solutions, while mentoring staff and developing new

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in technical art roles, with at least 3 years in virtual production or real-time rendering.
• Expert proficiency in Unreal Engine, including Blueprints, C++, and rendering pipelines.
• Strong understanding of 3D asset creation, optimization, and pipeline management (Maya, Houdini, Substance Painter).
• Experience with motion capture systems and data processing.
• Familiarity with virtual camera systems and cinematic workflows.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor technical art teams.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with scripting languages (Python, Mel) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of technical artists focused on virtual production pipelines and tools.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize real-time workflows within Unreal Engine for virtual production.
• Integrate and manage motion capture data, character rigging, and asset pipelines for live-action and virtual elements.
• Oversee the implementation and performance optimization of complex scenes and environments within the real-time engine.
• Collaborate with directors, cinematographers, and VFX supervisors to translate creative vision into technical solutions.
• Develop and support custom tools and plugins to enhance artist productivity and pipeline efficiency.
• Research and implement new technologies and techniques to improve virtual production capabilities.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to real-time rendering, asset pipelines, and engine performance.
• Manage asset budgets and ensure efficient resource allocation for virtual production projects.

Skills

Unreal Engine

Blueprints

C++

Maya

Houdini

Substance Painter

Motion capture

Virtual camera systems

Leadership

Communication

Python

Mel

Tools

Unreal Engine

Maya

Houdini

Substance Painter

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering studio pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling, is seeking an experienced Lead Virtual Production Technical Artist to join their innovative team in George, Western Cape. This pivotal role involves overseeing the technical pipeline for virtual production workflows, ensuring seamless integration of real-time rendering, motion capture, and cinematic asset creation. You will be instrumental in developing and optimizing tools and techniques that empower our artists and directors to achieve breathtaking visual fidelity in real-time environments. The ideal candidate possesses a unique blend of artistic sensibility and strong technical expertise, with a deep understanding of Unreal Engine, virtual cameras, and real-time asset optimization. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of filmmaking and interactive experiences from our studios in the scenic Western Cape region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of technical artists focused on virtual production pipelines and tools.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize real-time workflows within Unreal Engine for virtual production.
• Integrate and manage motion capture data, character rigging, and asset pipelines for live-action and virtual elements.
• Oversee the implementation and performance optimization of complex scenes and environments within the real-time engine.
• Collaborate closely with directors, cinematographers, and VFX supervisors to translate creative vision into achievable technical solutions.
• Develop and support custom tools and plugins to enhance artist productivity and pipeline efficiency.
• Research and implement new technologies and techniques to improve virtual production capabilities.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to real-time rendering, asset pipelines, and engine performance.
• Manage asset budgets and ensure efficient resource allocation for virtual production projects.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in technical art roles, with at least 3 years specifically focused on virtual production or real-time rendering.
• Expert proficiency in Unreal Engine, including Blueprints, C++, and rendering pipelines.
• Strong understanding of 3D asset creation, optimization, and pipeline management (e.g., Maya, Houdini, Substance Painter).
• Experience with motion capture systems and data processing.
• Familiarity with virtual camera systems and cinematic workflows.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor technical art teams.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with scripting languages (Python, Mel) is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive medical aid, and retirement fund contributions. We provide a stimulating work environment in George, Western Cape, with opportunities for cutting-edge training and career growth. Employees benefit from being part of a forward-thinking company that is at the forefront of visual effects and filmmaking technology. We also offer generous leave allowances and support for professional development initiatives.