Lead Technical Artist (Hybrid)

Sharkmob logo
Posted 27 November 2023
Salary Negotiable
LocationLondon
Job type Permanent
DisciplineGame Art
Reference19466
Contact NameJordan Langley

Job description

AAA studio, Sharkmob London, are working with us to find a Lead Technical Artist, as they aspire to build one of the largest and most creatively ambitious development teams in the world.

Just like the original Sharkmob studio in Malmö, Sharkmob London was founded by a team of industry veterans, and as a part of Tencent Games they have the backing to match the experience and ambition of both the studio’s leadership team and the development team, as they seek to build the games of the future!

As a Lead Technical Artist at Sharkmob, you will be at the forefront of merging art and technology, driving the creative and technical aspects of game development. You'll lead a team of Technical Artists and collaborate closely with Artists, Designers, and Engineers to ensure that art assets are not only visually stunning but also optimized and seamlessly integrated into the game engine.

Your responsibilities…
  • Lead the Technical Art team, setting the artistic and technical direction for the project
  • Lead the development and optimization of the art pipeline, ensuring efficient workflows for asset creation, integration, and optimization
  • Identify and implement tools and processes that improve art production efficiency
  • Oversee the creation and implementation of asset optimization strategies, ensuring that art assets meet performance targets while maintaining visual quality
  • Lead shader development efforts, creating complex and visually stunning materials to enhance the game's visual quality
  • Act as a bridge between the Art, Design, and Engineering teams, facilitating effective communication and collaboration
  • Lead efforts to solve complex technical challenges related to art asset creation, integration, and rendering
  • Maintain a high standard of artistic quality, providing guidance to artists on techniques, visual consistency, and best practices
  • Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for technical art processes, tools, and best practices
  • Lead quality assurance efforts for art assets, ensuring that they function correctly within the game engine, conducting regular reviews and optimizations to maintain optimal performance
The skills and experience you’ll bring to the role…
  • 7 or more years of experience as a Technical Artist in the video game industry, with a strong portfolio showcasing leadership and contributions to published games
  • Proven experience in a Lead or Senior Technical Artist role, with exceptional leadership and mentorship skills.
  • The ability to inspire and guide a team of Technical Artists
  • Expertise in art asset creation, optimization, and integration
  • Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender
  • Strong programming/scripting skills, with experience in languages like Python or HLSL
  • Advanced knowledge of shader development, including the creation of custom shaders and materials
  • Familiarity with shader languages like HLSL or GLSL
  • Demonstrated ability to tackle complex technical challenges related to art and graphics, and a track record of finding innovative solutions to art-related issues
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across disciplines to achieve project goals
  • Willingness to adapt to changing project requirements and stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends in game development
  • A portfolio showcasing your leadership and technical artwork, including examples of shaders, and successfully resolved technical art challenges
Perks and benefits include...
  • Visa sponsorship for you and your family
  • Relocation support if moving to the UK or from within the UK
  • 30 days annual leave plus public holidays
  • Discretionary annual performance-based bonus
  • Private pension (10% total, up to 5% individual contribution matched by Sharkmob)
  • BUPA private Healthcare, Cigna dental cover, life insurance scheme and income protection policy
  • £425 yearly preventative healthcare allowance
  • Flexible working hours
  • Weekly 'wellness hour' to be used each week during office hours
Sharkmob know the most important element of their studio is their team, they strive for a healthy and productive atmosphere in their office, they do this by providing feedback to each other, promoting a healthy work life balance, distributing ownership and making time for social activities and having fun!