The Role
Lead the visual development and overall art vision for an unannounced game project from concept through completion. Develop art direction documentation, guide concept development, manage internal and external artists, maintain visual consistency, and collaborate with production and other disciplines on schedules, workloads, dependencies, gameplay, design, and technical requirements. Mentor artists, support art production hands-on, and balance creative quality with production constraints and client expectations.
Summary Generated by Built In
Pipeworks Studios is seeking an experienced and collaborative Project Art Director to lead and
guide the visual development of an unannounced game project. The ideal candidate has
shipped shooter titles, recent AAA games, demonstrated experience leading teams, and a
strong grasp of both creative vision and production realities. This role bridges artistic direction,
team management, and cross-disciplinary collaboration—ensuring that the visual identity and
execution of each project meet both client expectations and studio standards.
This is a full-time temporary role with the possibility of extension or conversion to regular full-time employment after six months. Our studio is based in Eugene, Oregon, and the role may be performed remotely, in a hybrid arrangement, or in the office.
guide the visual development of an unannounced game project. The ideal candidate has
shipped shooter titles, recent AAA games, demonstrated experience leading teams, and a
strong grasp of both creative vision and production realities. This role bridges artistic direction,
team management, and cross-disciplinary collaboration—ensuring that the visual identity and
execution of each project meet both client expectations and studio standards.
This is a full-time temporary role with the possibility of extension or conversion to regular full-time employment after six months. Our studio is based in Eugene, Oregon, and the role may be performed remotely, in a hybrid arrangement, or in the office.
Day To Day
Responsibilities
• Own the overall art vision and quality for one project from concept to completion.
• Develop and maintain an Art Direction Document outlining visual style, tone, and
production rules for the project.
• Concept or direct concept artists to establish visual direction and stylistic cohesion.
• Collaborate with the Studio Art Director to organize and plan project kickoffs, aligning
goals and deliverables.
• Ensure consistent application of the project’s art direction across all disciplines and
assets.
• Direct and manage internal artists as well as external partners and outsourced assets.
• Work within an existing IP or develop a new visual identity from scratch.
• Actively contribute hands-on art support in at least two areas of art (2D, 3D, UI, etc.)
when needed.
• Push the overall art quality within project constraints, maintaining balance between
creative excellence and production realities.
• Collaborate with production to estimate workloads, identify dependencies, and forecast
schedules by soliciting input from the team.
• Coordinate with other disciplines to ensure the art vision aligns with gameplay, design,
and technical requirements.
• Own the overall art vision and quality for one project from concept to completion.
• Develop and maintain an Art Direction Document outlining visual style, tone, and
production rules for the project.
• Concept or direct concept artists to establish visual direction and stylistic cohesion.
• Collaborate with the Studio Art Director to organize and plan project kickoffs, aligning
goals and deliverables.
• Ensure consistent application of the project’s art direction across all disciplines and
assets.
• Direct and manage internal artists as well as external partners and outsourced assets.
• Work within an existing IP or develop a new visual identity from scratch.
• Actively contribute hands-on art support in at least two areas of art (2D, 3D, UI, etc.)
when needed.
• Push the overall art quality within project constraints, maintaining balance between
creative excellence and production realities.
• Collaborate with production to estimate workloads, identify dependencies, and forecast
schedules by soliciting input from the team.
• Coordinate with other disciplines to ensure the art vision aligns with gameplay, design,
and technical requirements.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
Must Haves
• Strong understanding of Unreal Engine (required); Unity proficiency is a strong plus
and/or internal engines.
• Understanding of Maya and/or 3ds Max.
• Ability to estimate and plan project art tasks in collaboration with production.
• Managing the Jira art tickets both for input and for progress.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across disciplines and
client-facing communication.
• Ability to handle stress constructively and resolve challenges through positive solutions.
• Strong ability to mentor and motivate artists, recognizing areas for training and growth.
• Strong passion for games and game art production.
Nice-To-Have Skills
• Ability to concept and create inspirational art for project direction.
• Comfort creating marketing or social media assets as needed.
Education & Experience Requirements
• 8+ years of experience in game development with several recent titles shipped in an Art
Lead or Art Director role. Shooter/action game experience a huge plus.
• Strong understanding of game art pipelines, production methods, and visual storytelling
as well as advanced processes for current AAA production.
• Previous experience managing or directing teams within a dispersed multi-studio
collaboration while maintaining the lead role.
• Strong understanding of Unreal Engine (required); Unity proficiency is a strong plus
and/or internal engines.
• Understanding of Maya and/or 3ds Max.
• Ability to estimate and plan project art tasks in collaboration with production.
• Managing the Jira art tickets both for input and for progress.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across disciplines and
client-facing communication.
• Ability to handle stress constructively and resolve challenges through positive solutions.
• Strong ability to mentor and motivate artists, recognizing areas for training and growth.
• Strong passion for games and game art production.
Nice-To-Have Skills
• Ability to concept and create inspirational art for project direction.
• Comfort creating marketing or social media assets as needed.
Education & Experience Requirements
• 8+ years of experience in game development with several recent titles shipped in an Art
Lead or Art Director role. Shooter/action game experience a huge plus.
• Strong understanding of game art pipelines, production methods, and visual storytelling
as well as advanced processes for current AAA production.
• Previous experience managing or directing teams within a dispersed multi-studio
collaboration while maintaining the lead role.
What We Can Offer You
A Flexible Working Environment
Almost all of our roles allow for your choice of work location. We're happy to support our team no matter where they prefer to work: remote, in office, or hybrid.
Benefits
Almost all of our roles allow for your choice of work location. We're happy to support our team no matter where they prefer to work: remote, in office, or hybrid.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- 401K with employer match
- Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy
- Generous Paid Time Off
- 20 Paid Company Holidays
- Relocation
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness Club Discounts
- Sports Team Sponsorship
- Annual Company Events
- Project Wrap Parties
A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Pipeworks Studios recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all of our employees feel included and empowered to bring ideas to the the table. We value each employee's unique experiences and perspectives and recognize that it is both the smart and right thing to foster diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization.
By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!
Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Diversity Report.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications above.
Pipeworks Studios recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all of our employees feel included and empowered to bring ideas to the the table. We value each employee's unique experiences and perspectives and recognize that it is both the smart and right thing to foster diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization.
By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!
Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Diversity Report.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description. Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications above.
About
While you may not know us, you certainly know our clients: Microsoft, Sony, Activision, Electronic Arts, and many more. Since 1999, Pipeworks has been helping define what’s next in real-world interactions by creating innovative, best-selling, cross-platform live games for top-tier publishers and properties.We believe that games have the ability to transform the world outside the realm of traditional consumer games and that our people are the catalyst for making this vision a reality. In the center of our universe lies our people, players, and a deep-rooted passion for games that has created several multi-million dollar best-sellers, compelling original concepts, and a disruptive imagination that continues to explore how games can transform industries outside our own. We are seeking exceptionally talented and entrepreneurial game creators as we lead into the future of digital entertainment.What products, ideas, dreams, and change will you help us create?
Skills Required
- 8+ years of experience in game development
- Several recent shipped titles in an Art Lead or Art Director role
- Experience with shooter or action games
- Strong understanding of Unreal Engine
- Understanding of Maya and/or 3ds Max
- Ability to estimate and plan project art tasks with production
- Experience managing Jira art tickets for input and progress
- Excellent cross-disciplinary and client-facing communication skills
- Ability to handle stress constructively and resolve challenges positively
- Ability to mentor and motivate artists
- Strong understanding of game art pipelines, production methods, and visual storytelling
- Advanced processes for current AAA game production
- Experience managing or directing teams in dispersed multi-studio collaborations
- Unity proficiency
- Experience with internal game engines
- Ability to create inspirational concept art
- Ability to create marketing or social media assets
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The Company
What We Do
You may not know us, but you certainly know our clients: Microsoft, Sony, Activision, Square and many others. At Pipeworks, we create innovative, best-selling, transplatform live games for top-tier publishers and properties. We have been creating hits since 1999, and we are seeking exceptionally talented and entrepreneurial game creators as we lead into the future of digital entertainment. Our studio is creative and collaborative, our projects are exciting and challenging, and our people are rockstars without the ego. We are located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in downtown Eugene, Oregon – the home of the University of Oregon and a great place to work, live, and play.
