The Senior Technical Artist acts as a bridge between artists and programmers and supports the art team with content creation using a mix of in-house tools and middleware.

You will play an integral part in helping to define and refine the art production pipeline, while supporting the content creation team to create graphically stunning games without sacrificing the artistic vision or exceeding the platform's technical limits. You’ll collaborate and connect with people in our client’s international partner studios from time to time, sharing advice and feedback on different projects and challenges.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Leads and other teams to ensure that our pipeline and tools support high-quality, efficient work.
• Act as a connector between the Programming and Art teams, to problem solve creative and technical issues related to art production.
• Balance visual ambition with performance on the target platform, working with the artists to optimise the art content and achieve the required frame rate with minimal sacrifice to quality.
• Troubleshoot asset issues and problem solve unknown development areas, undertaking R&D of new technical solutions to the project’s creative needs as required.
• Maintain and support Art team tools including: Maya, Python, Unreal tools for lighting and props dressing.

Technical Competencies:

• You have an eye for details and the drive to deliver high quality production assets. This includes but is not limited to: materials, shaders, systems, visual effects.
• You know how to initiate and implement new solutions or approaches to improve workflows.
• You take ownership of distinct areas and work through complex themes of work with little to no supervision.
• You stay on top of industry knowledge, the latest technical art tools and quality benchmarks.
• Strong creative and technical problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively to resolve technical challenges and limitations.
• Knowledgeable of console hardware architecture and its impact on technical budget and optimisation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Tertiary qualification in computer science or similar - (or equivalent experience creating tech art for video games).
• Comprehensive understanding of Unreal.
• Familiar with Maya and other commonly used asset creation tools.
• Working knowledge of Python, C++.
• Adept with debugging tactics.
• Deep knowledge and interest in researching and testing a wide range of technical art tools, plugins and integrations.

Benefits:

• Flexible working, including one work from home day a week.
• 12 wellness/sick days + covid leave.
• 5 days paid a year to volunteer at a place of your choice.
• EAP program available for free counselling.
• Trendy open plan studio with an industrial coffee machine and snacks.
• Awesome supportive and chill studio culture with various celebrations and lunches.

If you’re passionate about the Gaming Industry and think you have what it takes to be a Senior Technical Artist, we would love to hear from you. Please send your cover letter expressing your relevant experience to the above requirements and CV/portfolio to Bella Richardson bella.richardson@beyond.co.nz.

Job No: 127998