Senior Environment Artist

Intrepid Studios is looking for a highly skilled, experienced Senior Environment Artist to join our team of talented developers working on the Ashes of Creation MMO franchise! If you are a self-driven, passionate developer, looking for a highly collaborative and creative environment, this position is for you!

Responsibilities:

• Collaborating with artists, designers, and other disciplines to create engaging and appealing gameplay environments for our upcoming Ashes of Creation MMO franchise
• Create AAA game environment quality assets and textures in a grounded high fantasy style inline with the project's visual aesthetic and technical direction (references, documents, project meetings, etc.)
• Integrate assets and textures created into the game engine’s pipeline, as well as using the in game engine tools to support these assets in production. (Shader Tool, Asset Composer, World Outliner, Gaia, Collision setups, Performance Tools, etc)
• Assist in environment concept and design
• Investigate, research, and implement the latest techniques and practices
• Help mentor the internal environment team through verbal and written feedback
• Verify the quality of their work once imported into the game, and make improvements when necessary
• Use specific project tools and relevant content creation software to achieve best results and meet specified scheduling deadlines
• Take constructive feedback and integrate those changes effectively
• Iterating on game assets and environments with fellow artists via paint overs, studies, and group critiques to improve the look and gameplay
• Efficiently use current game development methodologies, (texture space optimization, texel density, appropriate polygon counts, mindful of object placement draw calls, and general game optimization practices, etc.) 
• Work with environment lead to determine the environment’s assets required based on pre created concepts, project lead’s direction, design team input, and adjust the work accordingly to fit the story and gameplay provided by Game Design documentation
• Able to come up to speed quickly on technical constraints of platform, engine and software
• Show initiative for problem solving
• Schedule and detail oriented
• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• 4+ years experience creating environments for video games
• Shipped at least one AAA quality game title
• Expert level proficiency with Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance, Photoshop or equivalent 3D and 2D software
• Demonstrated ability to create high quality work in a realistic / high fantasy style within technical constraints
• Ability to create PBR materials and all associated maps for new or existing assets
• Strong design instincts and ability to create environments that support and enhance gameplay
• Artistic ability to visualize entire levels and detail with minimal concept art and direction if needed
• Strong understanding of color, form, shape, structure, and silhouette
• Can model and texture from supplied concept art
• Can work without concept if necessary, within the art style of the project
• Exceptional eye for proportion, scale, surface properties and lighting
• Self-motivated, driven, with excellent communication skills and a team-player attitude
• BA or BS degree in art or equivalent work experience

Additional Considerations (Pluses):

• Solid foundation in traditional art, drawing, painting, illustration and/or concept art
• Strong technical ability and willingness to learn new tools, techniques and workflows
• Basic proficiency creating environmental VFX and/or environmental animations
• Experience with aesthetics for fantasy themes and visual stylings
• Unreal Engine, Shader and Blueprint Experience
• Conceptual Art skills always a plus

Required Application Materials:

• Resume and cover letter
• Portfolio or demo reel demonstrating a high level of skilled and experience in modeling, texturing, and lighting game environments
• An art test may be required

Interview Overview:

Below you'll find an outline of the interview plan for this role. Please note that while this is what we expect the process to look like; we may ask you for supplemental information or require an additional step before making a final decision.

• 30 min interview with a member of our Talent Team
• 30 min interview with the hiring manager
• Test
• Panel interviews with several members of the hiring team
• Final interview with the executive team
• References calls & a background check

The Legal Bits:

We offer competitive pay based on market standards plus a significant annual bonus structure. The base salary for this role is between $85,000 - $136,000, depending on skills and experience. Individual compensation decisions are based on a number of factors, including experience level, skillset, and balancing internal equity relative to peers at the company. We expect the majority of the candidates who are offered roles at our company to fall throughout the range based on these factors.

We encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, to apply for positions. We are an equal opportunity employer and we're committed to a fair and consistent interview process and employer experience.

About Us:

Founded in 2015, Intrepid Studios is the independent developer and publisher of the upcoming and Most Anticipated MMORPG, Ashes of Creation. Based in beautiful Southern California, Intrepid has assembled a veteran AAA team of tremendous talent and experience in the MMORPG industry. The gaming industry can be a turbulent storm of hiring cycles and layoffs. We’ve set out to do something different, to break this cycle and create an independent studio capable of withstanding the chaos of this industry. We’ve brought on-board a team of professionals that hold a diverse set of skills, and who all share a singular goal: making fun games. The studio is designed to be an open place for collaboration and communication, a place that is conducive to team building and success. Our goal is to build a family that will laugh together, play together, succeed together, and stay together.

All posted positions are full-time with generous medical benefit options covered 100% by employer for employees and dependents plus paid vacation & sick days, and 401k with matching.