Senior Technical Artist - Real-time Rendering Specialist

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 850,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hardware provided

Remote work flexibility

Professional development support

Continuous learning opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Technical Artist to bridge art and tech for real-time rendering. You will optimize shaders, 3D models, and textures, implement assets in major engines, and define pipelines with artists, while troubleshooting performance and visuals in a distributed, fully remote team.

You will collaborate with engineers to ensure seamless integration, stay current with engine capabilities, and contribute to high-fidelity visuals across projects in a global setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of experience as a Technical Artist focused on real-time rendering.
• Portfolio demonstrating shader development, asset optimization and real-time visuals.
• Expertise in at least one major real-time engine (Unreal or Unity).
• Strong grasp of 3D modeling, texturing and PBR workflows.
• Proficiency with shader authoring tools (Shader Graph, Substance Designer, HLSL/GLSL).
• Scripting skills (Python, C#) for tool development.
• Excellent problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration, especially for remote work.
• Experience with version control (Git, Perforce).
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize high-performance shaders for real-time engines.
• Optimize 3D models, textures and materials for efficiency and quality.
• Implement art assets into game engines with correct setup.
• Collaborate with artists to define asset creation pipelines and best practices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to art assets and rendering.
• Create tools and scripts to automate art-related tasks and workflows.
• Work with engineers to ensure seamless art-technology integration.
• Stay updated on real-time graphics and engine capabilities.
• Provide technical guidance to the art team.
• Ensure assets meet technical specs and quality standards.

Skills

Shaders

Asset optimization

Real-time rendering

Unreal/Unity

PBR workflows

Shader Graph

Substance Designer

HLSL/GLSL

Python

C#

Git/Perforce

Remote collaboration

Portfolio development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics

Tools

Shader Graph

Substance Designer

HLSL

GLSL

Python

C#

Git

Perforce

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading developer of interactive simulations and virtual environments, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Technical Artist to join their pioneering team. This position is fully remote, allowing you to contribute your expertise from wherever you are based. You will be instrumental in bridging the gap between art and technology, focusing on optimizing art assets and workflows for real-time rendering engines. Your responsibilities will include developing shaders, optimizing 3D models and textures, implementing assets, and troubleshooting technical challenges to ensure high-fidelity visuals and smooth performance. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on cutting‑edge projects, pushing the boundaries of real‑time graphics, and collaborating with a talented, distributed team. You'll be a key player in ensuring our visual output is both artistically stunning and technically sound.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize high‑performance shaders for real‑time rendering engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).


• Optimize 3D models, textures, and materials for efficiency and visual quality in real‑time environments.


• Implement art assets into the game engine, ensuring correct setup and functionality.


• Collaborate with artists to define asset creation best practices and pipelines.


• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to art assets, shaders, and rendering performance.


• Create tools and scripts to automate art‑related tasks and improve workflow efficiency.


• Work closely with engineers to ensure seamless integration of art and technology.


• Stay up‑to‑date with the latest advancements in real‑time graphics technology and engine capabilities.


• Provide technical guidance and support to the art team.


• Ensure art assets meet technical specifications and quality standards for the project.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience as a Technical Artist, with a strong focus on real‑time rendering.


• Proven portfolio showcasing shader development, asset optimization, and real‑time visual effects.


• Expertise in at least one major real‑time engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).


• Strong understanding of 3D modeling, texturing, and PBR workflows.


• Proficiency in shader authoring tools (e.g., Shader Graph, Substance Designer, HLSL/GLSL).


• Scripting skills (e.g., Python, C#) for tool development.


• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and attention to detail.


• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for remote work.


• Experience working with version control systems (e.g., Git, Perforce).


• Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

This role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package tailored for remote employees. You will have the autonomy and flexibility to work from your preferred location, with all necessary software and hardware provided. This is an opportunity to join a forward‑thinking company and contribute to groundbreaking projects in simulation and virtual environments. We offer continuous learning opportunities and support for professional development. Be part of a collaborative and innovative team that values creativity and technical excellence, based in the Nelspruit region but operating globally.