The Role
Supports technical art for game projects by developing Maya scripts, tools, workflows, and pipeline improvements. Integrates and optimizes art assets in Unreal, troubleshoots animation and visual systems, establishes technical standards, prototypes solutions, and collaborates with artists, engineers, QA, and development teams. The role focuses on animation support, including rigging, animation pipelines, technical tools, performance optimization, documentation, training, and resolving content-related defects.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Technical Artist will work with the Senior Technical Artist to support various projects on
their technical art needs from scripting to tools.
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.
their technical art needs from scripting to tools.
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
• Partner with artists and engineers to develop efficient, reliable workflows for creating
and implementing game content.
• Build, maintain, and document tools, scripts, and pipeline improvements that reduce
repetitive work and improve content quality.
• Support the integration of art assets into the game and help ensure they function as
intended.
• Investigate and resolve technical issues involving assets, materials, animation, lighting,
visual effects, user interface content, or other visual systems within the role’s assigned
scope.
• Profile and optimize art content to meet established performance, memory, quality, and
platform targets.
• Establish and communicate technical art guidelines, validation practices, and content
standards in partnership with project leadership.
• Create prototypes and technical examples that demonstrate production-ready
approaches to visual challenges.
• Evaluate proposed art workflows and recommend solutions that balance visual quality,
production efficiency, and technical constraints.
• Work with QA and development teams to identify, reproduce, prioritize, and resolve
content-related defects.
• Provide technical support, training, and documentation for artists and other content
creators.
• Participate in planning and estimation by identifying technical dependencies, risks, and
implementation needs.
• Partner with artists and engineers to develop efficient, reliable workflows for creating
and implementing game content.
• Build, maintain, and document tools, scripts, and pipeline improvements that reduce
repetitive work and improve content quality.
• Support the integration of art assets into the game and help ensure they function as
intended.
• Investigate and resolve technical issues involving assets, materials, animation, lighting,
visual effects, user interface content, or other visual systems within the role’s assigned
scope.
• Profile and optimize art content to meet established performance, memory, quality, and
platform targets.
• Establish and communicate technical art guidelines, validation practices, and content
standards in partnership with project leadership.
• Create prototypes and technical examples that demonstrate production-ready
approaches to visual challenges.
• Evaluate proposed art workflows and recommend solutions that balance visual quality,
production efficiency, and technical constraints.
• Work with QA and development teams to identify, reproduce, prioritize, and resolve
content-related defects.
• Provide technical support, training, and documentation for artists and other content
creators.
• Participate in planning and estimation by identifying technical dependencies, risks, and
implementation needs.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
Must Haves
• Working knowledge of Maya, specifically the ability to create custom script tools (MEL /
Python) that streamline artist workflow and/or increase efficiency.
• Unreal experience is a must; Unreal 5 a benefit.
• A focus on animation support from rigging to pipelines to tools for animation.
• A strong understanding of animation and all the steps involved in creating strong
animations.
• Technical support for the animation team on any given project.
Overall strong software development and programming skills.
• Understanding of "artistic concepts," e.g. modeling, lighting, and shading.
• Ability to assess sometimes contradictory technical and artistic needs, and come up with
creative compromise solutions.
• A readiness to explore multiple solutions to multiple problems simultaneously, and a
willingness to - occasionally - have work discarded.
• Working knowledge of C# and Python/MEL required.
• Familiarity with C++ or other high-level languages beneficial.
• General knowledge of programmable shaders helpful.
• Overall attention to detail, both visually and technically.
• Strong interest in the industry and a desire to make games.
• Ability to work as part of a game team.
Nice-To-Have Skills
• Understanding of 3D art.
• Understanding of Unity.
Demonstrated Ability To
• Make quality decisions within a project that improved the animation process.
• Work effectively with other artists and engineers to achieve project goals.
• Solve problems to the benefit of the project/team.
Education & Experience
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role.
• Any degree or certification in both Art and Engineering or equivalent work experience.
• Working knowledge of Maya, specifically the ability to create custom script tools (MEL /
Python) that streamline artist workflow and/or increase efficiency.
• Unreal experience is a must; Unreal 5 a benefit.
• A focus on animation support from rigging to pipelines to tools for animation.
• A strong understanding of animation and all the steps involved in creating strong
animations.
• Technical support for the animation team on any given project.
Overall strong software development and programming skills.
• Understanding of "artistic concepts," e.g. modeling, lighting, and shading.
• Ability to assess sometimes contradictory technical and artistic needs, and come up with
creative compromise solutions.
• A readiness to explore multiple solutions to multiple problems simultaneously, and a
willingness to - occasionally - have work discarded.
• Working knowledge of C# and Python/MEL required.
• Familiarity with C++ or other high-level languages beneficial.
• General knowledge of programmable shaders helpful.
• Overall attention to detail, both visually and technically.
• Strong interest in the industry and a desire to make games.
• Ability to work as part of a game team.
Nice-To-Have Skills
• Understanding of 3D art.
• Understanding of Unity.
Demonstrated Ability To
• Make quality decisions within a project that improved the animation process.
• Work effectively with other artists and engineers to achieve project goals.
• Solve problems to the benefit of the project/team.
Education & Experience
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role.
• Any degree or certification in both Art and Engineering or equivalent work experience.
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
- Working knowledge of Maya and ability to create custom MEL or Python script tools
- Experience with Unreal Engine
- Focus on animation support, including rigging, animation pipelines, and animation tools
- Strong understanding of animation production processes
- Overall software development and programming skills
- Working knowledge of C# and Python or MEL
- Understanding of artistic concepts such as modeling, lighting, and shading
- Ability to balance technical and artistic requirements and develop compromise solutions
- Attention to visual and technical detail
- Ability to collaborate as part of a game development team
- Three or more years of experience in a similar role
- Degree or certification in both Art and Engineering, or equivalent work experience
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5
- Familiarity with C++ or other high-level programming languages
- General knowledge of programmable shaders
- Understanding of 3D art
- Understanding of Unity
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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.
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