Senior/Principle Technical Artist

The Senior/Principle Technical Artist at Azra Games is responsible for optimizing workflows, improving artist capabilities in the Unity Engine, and diagnosing problems associated with asset and level creation. This includes enhancing systems related to lighting, shaders, art assets, and visual scripting. They will collaborate with artists, engineers, and designers to innovate processes and create tools that boost performance and visual quality during project development.

To be a strong candidate for the Senior/Principle Technical Artist position at Azra Games, applicants should have solid experience in delivering high-quality visuals while adhering to performance targets. Familiarity with game engines like Unity, profiling performance and memory, physically based rendering, and current art techniques is crucial. Additionally, experience with scripting languages such as Python and C#, as well as skills in shader writing and procedural creation tools, are advantageous.

Azra Games is committed to nurturing the growth of its employees, including Senior/Principle Technical Artists. With access to a generous technology budget for gear, opportunities to participate in office social events, and an inclusive environment that encourages creativity and innovation, employees receive the tools and support they need to thrive. Additionally, our focus on groundbreaking projects allows team members to explore new technologies and methods in game development, fostering continuous learning.

Yes, Azra Games offers flexibility for the Senior/Principle Technical Artist role, with options for hybrid and fully remote work. While ideally, candidates should be located in California, especially around the Sacramento area, we understand the importance of work-life balance and will work with the hired individual to agree upon a cadence that suits both their needs and the team's requirements.

The Senior/Principle Technical Artist at Azra Games will primarily focus on our upcoming AAA collectibles and combat open-world RPG, 'Project: Legends.' Leveraging their expertise, they will play a crucial role in enhancing the visual quality and overall gameplay performance, helping to shape an engaging gaming experience that resonates with players.

When discussing workflow optimization strategies in game development, consider mentioning your experience with identifying bottlenecks and leveraging procedural tools to streamline processes. Highlight specific instances where you've created or implemented innovative tools that improved team efficiency and enhanced visual output, demonstrating your ability to contribute to the overall game development cycle.

When asking about performance improvements, focus on providing examples showcasing your technical skills. Discuss specific projects where you profiled assets for performance and memory usage, along with the measures you took, such as refining assets, implementing level-of-detail models, or optimizing shaders. Share results that illustrate your impact on the project positively.

In your response, list tools and software packages relevant to the role. Emphasize your proficiency with Unity, any experience with procedural tools like Houdini, and your comfort with scripting languages such as Python and C#. If applicable, mention your familiarity with visual scripting tools like Unreal Blueprints and describe how your skills have enhanced your contributions to past projects.

Describe your collaborative approach by emphasizing open communication and teamwork. Share how you've built relationships with artists and engineers, ensuring their needs are met while also aligning them with performance targets. Providing examples of successful collaborative projects can reinforce your ability to work as part of a cohesive team.

For this question, choose a challenge that emphasizes your problem-solving skills. Discuss a specific technical issue you encountered, how it impacted the project, and the steps you took to find a solution. This demonstrates your ability to think critically under pressure and find innovative solutions to complex problems.

Discuss your understanding of physically based rendering (PBR) principles and techniques. Explain how you've implemented PBR in previous projects to achieve realistic lighting and material interactions. Providing concrete examples of assets you've created or optimized with PBR in mind will reinforce your expertise in this area.

Explain your proactive approach to staying informed, such as following industry news, attending conferences, taking online courses, or engaging with the gaming community. Highlight specific resources or communities that have enriched your understanding of emerging trends and technologies, thereby demonstrating your dedication to professional growth in the gaming field.

Articulate the vital role of a Technical Artist in bridging the gap between art and technology. Emphasize how they help artists realize their creative visions while ensuring that the game adheres to performance constraints. Illustrate your perspective regarding the importance of optimizing workflows and providing solutions to visual challenges that enhance overall game quality.

Demonstrate your openness to feedback by discussing how you view it as a growth opportunity. Relay personal experiences where you received constructive criticism, what you learned from it, and how it positively impacted your subsequent work. Highlighting your adaptability and willingness to collaborate effectively means you're a valuable team player.

Detail your experience with shader creation, including the tools you've used, such as Unity's Shader Graph or HLSL. Explain how you've utilized shaders to enhance visual fidelity in your projects, ensuring that lighting, reflections, and materials consistently align with artistic goals. Highlight any complex shaders you've developed or challenges you've faced and how you've overcome them.