Senior Technical Artist

The Senior Technical Artist at Atomic Theory plays a critical role in bridging the gap between artists and engineers. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining solutions for complex art scenarios, supporting and augmenting asset workflows, and ensuring effective communication among team members and clients. The Senior Technical Artist will also be involved in spearheading asset pipelines and collaborating closely with various developers to deliver high-quality milestones.

To be considered for the Senior Technical Artist role at Atomic Theory, candidates should have 3+ years of professional experience in a similar position, such as Technical Artist or Art Lead. Experience shipping at least one game cycle to release is a must, with bonuses for certifications in current-generation consoles. Proficiency in shader fundamentals, working knowledge of game engine technologies, and experience with asset creation tools like Maya or Blender are also essential qualifications.

Atomic Theory provides a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including a private pension, optional medical coverage, and generous annual leave. Employees enjoy an annual research credit for skill enhancement, professional development opportunities, and a flexible working environment that promotes work-life balance. Additional perks include team lunches, provided snacks, and a vibrant office culture.

At Atomic Theory, professional growth is a priority. The company conducts biannual reviews and offers opportunities to collaborate across disciplines. Team members are encouraged to participate in internal tech talks and learn from specialists with diverse backgrounds in gaming and software development. Moreover, the annual research credit enables employees to further enhance their skills in areas of interest.

While not strictly necessary, experience with popular game engines such as Unreal, Unity, or Godot is highly beneficial for the Senior Technical Artist position at Atomic Theory. Familiarity with common asset creation technologies, as well as being adaptable to new software provided by the studio or its partners, enhances a candidate's appeal in meeting the demands of this dynamic role.

Begin by demonstrating your analytical process: break down the problem into smaller parts and evaluate each in terms of technical feasibility. Share a specific example where you've successfully navigated a complex art scenario by collaborating with engineers and artists. Highlight your creative thinking and ability to communicate effectively.

Discuss a specific project where you were directly involved in the game cycle. Describe your contributions at different stages—from asset creation to implementation—and emphasize how your role impacted the project's success. Illustrate your teamwork and the use of technical skills.

Highlight your organizational skills and strategic planning methods. Discuss any software tools you utilize for tracking asset delivery timelines and collaboration. Provide insights into your communication strategy with the team to ensure everyone is aligned and aware of deadlines.

Provide specific examples of projects where you've developed shaders using tools like HLSL or Unity Shader Graph. Discuss your familiarity with rendering techniques, and how you ensure optimal performance and quality in visual outputs during gameplay.

Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning. Share examples of courses, tutorials, or industry events you've engaged with recently. This shows your passion for professional development and adapting to new technologies in game art and design.

Frame your answer around a specific situation where you had to present an artistic choice to stakeholders. Detail how you backed your advice with data or case studies and how you handled any pushback. This showcases your communication skills and ability to justify creative decisions.

Discuss your approach to finding innovative solutions within technical limitations. Provide an example where you creatively utilized existing tools or assets to work around constraints and still deliver exceptional results.

Talk about your direct involvement in maintaining asset pipelines for previous projects. Share details on the processes you established or optimized to ensure smooth transitions and stakeholder cooperation throughout the production cycle.

Highlight your strategies for fostering communication and teamwork in remote settings. Share tools or platforms you use for managing projects and interacting with team members, and any practices that help create a sense of team cohesion despite physical distance.

Express your awareness of the importance of accessibility in gaming. Provide examples of how you’ve incorporated accessible design principles into your art or technical processes, and discuss your commitment to ensuring all players can enjoy the games you contribute to.