Associate Art Director (Gamedev)

TL;DR

Associate Art Director (Gamedev): Shaping visual excellence and output of the Art Department for a AAA BioShock game with an accent on defining realization pillars, managing quality expectations, and aligning internal/external teams. Focus on translating creative vision into actionable briefs, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring cohesive characters, environments, UI, and VFX.

Novato, California, United States

$176,600–$261,380 per year

Company

Studio developing immersive BioShock games with a collaborative culture focused on high standards and creative ambitions.

What you will do

• Set and manage quality expectations for internal Art Department and external partners aligned with Art Vision and Production Strategy.
• Support Art Direction for external teams by translating creative vision, providing actionable briefs, reviewing work, and giving feedback.
• Define and evangelize realization pillars for game visuals in line with overarching Art Vision.
• Partner with Tech Art, Level Design, Mission Design, Narrative, and Cinematics for cohesive realization of characters, UI, and VFX.
• Develop references and documentation, plan work with Art Leads and Production, and participate in quality reviews.
• Train and empower Leads and ICs, contribute to recruitment, onboarding, and talent development.

Requirements

• Minimum 10 years in game development, with 3+ years as Associate Art Director.
• Shipped at least one full-cycle AAA game in a leadership capacity with significant impact on visual fidelity.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Art or equivalent; experience leading large art teams for AAA games.
• UE5 experience; lighting and VFX with Lumen; Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, ZBrush; Substance Painter/Designer and PBR workflows; Houdini, AfterEffects, Nuke or similar.
• Background in 3D art for games, asset creation pipelines, art/environmental storytelling; experience with hybrid/distributed teams and co-development.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, communication skills; ability to handle pressure, build relationships, and drive ownership.

Nice to have

• Focus on First-Person Shooter.
• Bilingual French/English.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative environment across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams.
• High standards, progress-oriented, embracing change and technological advancements.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance; 14 paid holidays; 15-25 paid vacation days or discretionary time off; up to 10 paid sick days.
• Paid parental/compassionate leave; wellbeing programs; family planning support; commuter benefits; fitness reimbursements.
• 401(K) plan; Employee Stock Purchase Program; potential bonus/equity.