Remote Lead Technical Artist

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Career advancement

State-of-the-art technology

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Remote Lead Technical Artist to guide art and development teams in creating stunning visuals. You will bridge art and tech, build pipelines, tools and workflows, and mentor a remote team across 3D modeling, texturing, rigging and animation.

Strong engine knowledge and scripting ability are required. You will collaborate with art directors and engineers to achieve top-tier visuals with efficient performance, documenting processes and championing innovation in a fully remote

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience as a Technical Artist in the game industry with leadership experience.
• Strong proficiency in 3D modeling and texturing software (Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Suite).
• Expertise in major game engines (Unreal Engine or Unity) and pipelines.
• Proficient in scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or C#.
• Deep understanding of shaders, lighting, rendering techniques and performance optimization.
• Strong problem-solving and remote team leadership skills.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience; portfolio required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of technical artists, guiding best practices and workflows.
• Develop, maintain and optimize art pipelines and tools for 3D work, texturing, rigging and animation.
• Collaborate with engineers to implement shaders, lighting and rendering in the game engine.
• Troubleshoot technical art issues and ensure seamless integration of assets.
• Create scripts/plugins (Python, MEL) to automate tasks and boost productivity.
• Work with art directors to set technical art standards and visuals.
• Develop and maintain documentation for pipelines, tools and engine features.
• Research new tech to enhance visual fidelity and performance.
• Perform performance analysis and optimization of art assets and systems.
• Foster collaboration between art and engineering teams.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Substance Suite

Unreal Engine

Unity

Python

MEL

C#

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a celebrated studio renowned for its visually stunning and technically advanced games, is seeking an exceptional Remote Lead Technical Artist to guide their art and development teams. This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility and the opportunity to work with a world-class team from anywhere. You will be instrumental in bridging the gap between art and technology, developing pipelines, tools, and workflows that empower artists to create breathtaking visuals efficiently. This role requires a deep understanding of 3D art creation, game engine technology, and scripting/programming. You will lead a team of technical artists, mentor them, and collaborate closely with art directors and engineers to ensure the highest standards of visual quality and performance. This is a premier opportunity to make a significant impact on the technological and artistic direction of cutting-edge games in a remote setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of technical artists, providing guidance on best practices, tools, and workflows.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize art pipelines and tools for 3D modeling, texturing, rigging, and animation.
• Collaborate with engineers to implement and optimize shaders, lighting, and rendering techniques within the game engine.
• Troubleshoot technical art issues and provide solutions to ensure the seamless integration of art assets.
• Create scripts and plugins (e.g., Python, MEL) to automate tasks and improve artistic productivity.
• Work closely with art directors to establish and enforce technical art standards and visual quality goals.
• Develop and maintain documentation for art pipelines, tools, and engine-specific features.
• Research and evaluate new technologies and techniques to enhance visual fidelity and performance.
• Perform performance analysis and optimization of art assets and systems.
• Foster a collaborative environment between the art and engineering departments.

Requirements

• A minimum of 6 years of experience as a Technical Artist in the game industry, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong proficiency in 3D modeling and texturing software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Suite).
• Expertise in a major game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and its associated tools and pipelines.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, MEL, or C#.
• Deep understanding of shaders, lighting, rendering techniques, and performance optimization.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical art issues.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to effectively manage and mentor a remote team.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A portfolio showcasing technical art solutions, tool development, and optimized art assets for games.
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git).

Benefits

This fully remote role offers an exceptionally competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and unparalleled flexibility. Our client provides extensive opportunities for career advancement, access to state-of-the-art technology, and a culture that champions innovation and collaboration. Be part of a team that is setting new standards in visual fidelity and technical artistry in the gaming world. Enjoy generous paid time off and a work environment that prioritizes well-being and professional growth, all from your chosen remote location.