About the role
Company Overview
d3t is a studio within the Keywords Studios Group, specializing in co-development services for AAA game projects. Current and past projects include EA SPORTS FC 26, Hogwarts Legacy, Exoborne, Mafia: The Old Country, Alan Wake Remastered, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Vampire The Masquerade - Blood Hunt, Mafia II: Definitive Edition, and Assetto Corsa Competizione. Partners include Playground Games, EA, and Archetype Entertainment.
Role Overview
Senior Technical Artist role based in Daresbury (Cheshire) or Newcastle (Tyne & Wear). This is a 12-month fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension. Working pattern is hybrid, requiring 3 days per week in the studio (Wednesday, Thursday, and one additional day of choice).
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain project art pipelines from inception through the project life-cycle.
- Support art and animation teams and assist in resolving technical issues.
- Create and integrate in-house toolsets and develop materials/shaders.
- Ensure artwork meets memory and frame rate restrictions via performance profiling.
- Collaborate with artists, providing feedback to improve in-game asset performance while maintaining visual fidelity.
- Take ownership of specific game features when required.
- Ensure adherence to guidelines regarding naming conventions, texture layering structures, etc.
- Stay updated with industry advancements and share knowledge with the art team.
- Expand the library of tutorials, documents, and technical guides to improve pipeline efficiency.
- Proactively identify and resolve technical issues.
- Adhere to schedules and provide prompt feedback regarding project concerns.
- Update Jira, manage team deliverables, and communicate progress.
- Advise Technical Art Leadership on resourcing concerns and production risks.
- Mentor and encourage other members of the Technical Art Team.
- Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility for work quality, and contribute fresh ideas.
- Motivate Tech Artists and promote a culture of collaborative innovation.
Requirements
Essential Skills
- Experience with technical challenges and constraints of real-time game art.
- Understanding of modern rendering, shading, and lighting techniques.
- Performance and quality focused.
- Excellent working knowledge/proficiency in Maya and/or 3DS Max.
- In-depth knowledge of Python.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills; experience working in a multidisciplinary art team.
- Evidence of being an enthusiastic leader or role model in an intermediate art role.
- Ability to create materials/shaders and understanding of PBR workflows.
- Understanding of technical limitations of current console hardware.
- Practical and methodical approach to problem-solving.
- Dependability, commitment, and a hunger to learn.
- Flexible, calm approach with the ability to adapt to change.
- Ability to deliver quality work within fixed time constraints.
- Strong knowledge of modern game engines (Unreal Engine or Unity).
- Excellent knowledge of game development practices and terminology.
Desirable Skills
- Knowledge of other scripting languages.
- Knowledge of the Maya API and programming in C++ or C#.
- Understanding of tools such as Photoshop, Substance, and Houdini.
- Minimum 4 years of game development experience.
- At least three published titles.
- At least two full project cycles in an Intermediate Art position.
Benefits and Perks
- 22 days holiday plus 3 Festive Studio Closure days and Bank Holidays.
- Company Pension Scheme.
- Flexible Working Hours.
- Private Medical Insurance (BUPA).
- Anti-crunch ethos in a supportive working environment.
- Free Parking.
- Company socials, monthly lunches, and annual d3t events.
- Breakout areas with games, BBQ area, and snacks.
Recruitment Process
- First interviews held by video call.
- Second interviews held on-site.
- Candidates who do not meet every requirement are encouraged to apply.