Senior Technical Artist, Materials bei Absurd Ventures

Summary 

We are seeking a Senior Technical Artist (Materials) to join our team and help shape the visual fidelity of our AAA open-world video game. This role focuses on the creation, optimization, and implementation of high-quality materials and shaders that enhance realism and immersion. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of physically-based rendering (BSDF), procedural material workflows, photogrammetry-based material workflows, and strong experience working in Unreal Engine 5. 

In this role, you will collaborate closely with artists, engineers, and designers to develop materials and shaders that align with the project’s artistic vision while ensuring technical efficiency and performance across platforms. 

Core Responsibilities 

• Design and implement project material pipeline, along with high-quality, optimized materials and shaders using physically-based rendering (BSDF) techniques. 
• Develop layered, dynamic and procedural materials to support diverse environmental and character needs. 
• Partner with environment artists, character artists, and engineers to ensure seamless integration of materials into the game world. 
• Establish and maintain best practices for material creation and optimization within the content pipeline. 
• Analyze material performance across different platforms and implement optimization strategies without compromising visual quality. 
• Proactively identify and resolve material-related technical challenges to maintain frame rate and memory targets. 
• Explore and implement new material workflows and shader techniques to push visual boundaries. 
• Develop tools, utilities, and custom material templates to improve artist workflows and efficiency. 
• Document best practices, workflows, and technical processes for material creation. 
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to artists on material authoring and optimization. 

Core Qualifications 

• 5+ years of experience as a Technical Artist, Material Artist, or similar role in the video game industry. 
• Proven track record of working on at least one shipped AAA title. 
• Expert knowledge of physically-based rendering (BSDF), material and shader authoring pipelines. 
• Strong proficiency in Unreal Engine 5, including the Material Editor, Material functions and texture editor. 
• Experience with industry-standard software such as Substance Designer, Substance Painter, and Photoshop. 
• Deep understanding of material performance, GPU profiling, and draw call optimization. 
• Ability to debug and solve technical material issues across platforms. 
• Basic knowledge of Python and Blueprint scripting for tool creation and pipeline enhancement as well as HLSL. 
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to technical challenges. 
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, with a focus on cross-disciplinary teamwork. 

Plus if... 

• Experience using photogrammetry source content in your material workflows. 
• Experience or interest in working across both environment and character art disciplines. 
• Knowledge of asset pipeline and UV/Material workflows. 
• Some knowledge and familiarity with UE5 Substrate Materials. 

Description   

• Full time job with benefits   
•  Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA 
• Office is located near downtown Santa Monica – near metro and freeways. 

The base pay range for this position is $140,000 to $170,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including paid time off, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.