Senior Technical Artist

Sinn Studio Inc. is leading the charge in XR combat games! Our debut game, Swordsman, is a physics-based combat game where you can slash your way through medieval earth to become the ultimate Swordsman. Having won multiple and been nominated for awards like Game of the Year in 2022, Best Swordfighting Game in 2020, and more. Swordsman also boasts top best seller in Quest and PSVR/2 platforms.

Job Overview

Sinn Studio is looking for a Senior Technical Artist to join our team! We are looking for someone with expertise in Unreal Engine and related systems (ie. Niagara, shaders) to produce a variety of results in visual effects, gore systems & emitters, and collaborate with artists to manage and maintain the material/shader pipeline for ease of use. The incumbent is an ambitious problem-solver with a demonstrated ability to build compelling, high-quality technical art solutions for video games in engine. They balance player expectations within budgets and performance while not compromising on artistic quality.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and evolve technical art guidelines, benchmarking, and naming conventions.
• Help communicate and mentor to ensure that colleagues understand and can apply these standards and implementations.
• Be involved in scalable, technical tasks related to art (this could include VFX, environmental impact, weapons, etc.).
• Produce unique materials for and with the art team (e.g., magic, shaders, blood decals, emitters).
• Optimize emitters, draw calls, and materials to achieve performance targets (e.g., for standalone Meta Quest).
• Develop solutions for dismemberment and gore in collaboration with a rendering engineer for realistic, high-quality gore in combat.
• Collaborate with artists to manage and maintain the material/shader pipeline, supporting projects as needed.
• Collaborate with creative leads and artists to produce compelling, high-quality, real-time visual effects and art for gameplay.
• Help with maintaining asset banks.
• Work with the art and programming teams to overcome technical obstacles in art.
• Monitor and help maintain efficient performance/constraints in engine and visual quality targets.
• Act as a communication touchpoint for technical and non-technical translation within art.
• Other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a technical artist within Unreal Engine with the ability to produce high-quality, performant work.
• Strong grasp of native shader pipelines in Unreal Engine, with a demonstrated ability to leverage the material BP editor and Niagara.
• Strong ability to produce relevant art from scratch or with available resources.
• A solid understanding of art fundamentals and creative briefs.
• Proficient in Niagara and related VFX systems in Unreal.
• Experienced with both real-time magic and blood FX.
• Knowledgeable in optimization workflows for real-time FX and emitters.
• Excellent interpersonal communicator (verbal and written) in technical and non-technical terms.
• Shipped at least one PC/console game using Unreal Engine.

Added Advantages

• Experience and background with VR/MR/XR.
• Knowledge of procedural software like Houdini.
• A good foundation in 3D math and physics.
• Knowledge of C++ (with related plugins) and/or Python.
• An authentic understanding and passion for games and the industry.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $100,000–$120,000 CAD annually.
• 3 weeks vacation, sick days, employer-paid benefits (except LTD), Employee Assistance Program, wellness days, birthday day off, and a Group Retirement Savings Plan (GRSP).

How to Apply

Beyond a resume, please also include a portfolio demonstrating your highlights and successes in Technical Art related to this position.

Sinn Studio is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment process.