Senior Technical Artist

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 international partner studios from time to time, sharing advice and feedback on different projects and challenges.

We’re looking for someone who preferably lives and is based in New Zealand: our main studio is in Wellington, but we’re open to supporting people who work outside this region.

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 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

Behavioural Competencies:

Risk management: you anticipate risks and issues and proactively look for solutions. You show initiative and escalate risks if needed. You set high personal standards and show integrity.

Clear communication: You think about what information people need and convey that information in a transparent, clear and timely way. You identify when you need more information to do your job and ask for it.

Problem solving: You approach challenges from creative angles. You review and check the accuracy of information. You show sound judgement and make decisions based on accurate and timely information.

Openness to change: You want to learn what works, share ideas and try new things out. You are adaptable and prepared to shift direction after discussion about benefits and risks.

Teamwork: You enjoy assisting and supporting others as needed and thrive as part of a tight, collaborative team.

Self-organisation: You keep on top of your tasks in a sustainable, transparent way. You develop and use systems to organise and keep track of information or work progress. You can balance and prioritise tasks in a complex system.

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

Recruitment for this role will happen over several weeks - we want to take our time and find the right person who is a great fit for our studio.

We're looking for a person, not a list of skills. If you're wondering whether this role is right for you, we encourage you to apply anyway.

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.

If you are currently on a limited term visa, please let us know - we'll get in touch and talk about your options and how we can support you.