Senior Technical Artist

📋 Description

• This is a hybrid position that combines the roles of an artist and a technical animator, requiring proficiency in rigging and Python scripting.

• The candidate must create robust scripts and tools for Maya/Mobu and take full responsibility for interdisciplinary workflows.

• Frequent interaction with stakeholders is necessary to guide discussions about rigging, shaders, and workflows.

• It is essential to be proactive in identifying potential risks and proposing early-stage solutions.

• The ideal candidate must thrive in a tools-focused environment where automation, reusability, and scalability are key.

• Strong communication skills are required, as you will need to validate pipelines directly in-game without assistance.

• You should strike the right balance between quality and scalability for all archetypes, as well as the conversion of existing assets.

• Maintain the art direction and quality of materials, shaders, and assets.

• Create final materials for characters, environments, and props/sets, while supporting existing material systems.

• Develop efficient workflows and pipelines to assist art and design teams.

• Research and implement new techniques to enhance asset quality and performance.

• Work collaboratively with art, animation, design, and engineering teams to address pipeline and asset-related challenges.

• Propose automation tools and pipelines for iteration, optimization, and procedural workflows.

• Debug and profile assets to ensure optimal performance across all platforms.

• Provide technical feedback, documentation, and mentor other artists.

• Occasionally assist new hires during their onboarding process.

⛳️ Requirements

• A robust portfolio showcasing AAA-quality work in engine environments (including proprietary engines, Unreal, or Unity).

• Excellent understanding of standard industry content creation tools (such as Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter/Designer, Photoshop, or equivalents).

• Proficient in Python scripting (PyQt/PySide), with the capability to write clean, reusable, and maintainable code.

• Comfortable creating new Maya/engine plugins, developing extensible pipelines, and converting legacy formats to modern formats.

• Support automation in retargeting pipelines, material extraction/recovery, tessellation, and mesh optimization.

• Act as a mentor by establishing best practices for clean code, data hygiene, and scalable workflows.

• A passion for modern rendering techniques and procedural workflows; comfortable debugging shaders, shader inheritance, and runtime profiling.

• Good knowledge of shader languages (HLSL/GLSL) and rendering techniques.

• Understanding of 3D mathematics, topology best practices, physically based rendering workflows, and optimization strategies.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and mentoring skills.

• Over 5 years of industry experience with at least one shipped title.

• Proficiency in English is required due to regular interactions with stakeholders and partners outside of Québec.

• Nice to have: Experience with Houdini, MotionBuilder, or other procedural tools.

• In-depth knowledge of C++ and Maya/OpenMaya plugin development.

• Familiarity with modern rendering pipelines, particle systems, cloth/physics simulations, and lighting.

🏝️ Benefits

• A benefits package fully funded by People Can Fly (PCF).

• Insurance covers claims at 100% (up to $1,000 of services per year, available for family or individual coverage).

• Comprehensive dental coverage, including dental care services.

• Employer RRSP contribution matching of 4% pre-tax, fully vested from day one.

• One week of paid time off during the winter holidays.

• 20 days of paid vacation along with 5 paid sick days.

• Free virtual health and mental wellness sessions included in the plan for employees and their dependents.

• Opportunities for personal development and the chance to work in a global environment.

• The chance to collaborate within a creative team of passionate individuals.