Technical Art Lead (GameDev)

TL;DR

Technical Art Lead (GameDev): Leading the artistic and technical direction for game prototypes and production with an accent on shader creation, GPU performance, and lighting. Focus on bridging the gap between art and engineering to optimize workflows and ensure target framerates.

Location: Hybrid (3 days a week in studio in Toronto, ON)

Salary: $95,000 – $150,000 CAD per year

Company

A creative studio pioneering groundbreaking gaming experiences, known for titles such as Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit and Knockout City.

What you will do

• Lead the artistic direction for early-stage prototypes and experiment with various visual styles.
• Own shader creation and the project's shader library, guiding the team on best practices.
• Manage GPU performance and partner with the Graphics team to hit target framerates.
• Establish asset naming conventions and directory structures for the project.
• Facilitate rapid prototyping of art content and VFX to help the Design team test ideas.
• Collaborate with product owners and discipline leads to optimize production workflows.

Requirements

• Must be based in Toronto, ON for a hybrid work schedule.
• 5+ years of game industry experience across console, mobile, handheld, or PC platforms.
• Prior Lead or Sub-Lead experience on mid-sized or large development projects.
• Expertise in 3D Studio Max or Maya and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Expert knowledge of shader creation (node-based, GLSL) and modern lighting techniques.
• Production experience with Unreal, Unity, or other AAA engines and scripting.

Nice to have

• Experience in the film or television industry.
• Proficiency with Adobe Substance Designer or similar tools.
• Experience with physically-based rendering (PBR).
• Expertise in modeling, texturing, character, environment, or concept art.

Culture & Benefits

• Culture focused on curiosity, diversity, and an adventurous spirit.
• Opportunity to push the boundaries of traditional gaming and reimagine play.
• Commitment to an inclusive, authentic, and harassment-free workplace.
• Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of creative and technical leaders.