Technical Artist (Mid - Senior)

Job summary

The Technical Artist will optimize workflows, establish high-quality pipelines, and enhance the visual quality of projects in Unreal Engine 5. They will also act as a liaison between art, design, and engineering teams to ensure seamless asset integration.

Job details

About Hardsuit Labs Founded in 2015 by industry veterans Andy Kipling and Russell Nelson, we are a Seattle based game developer and co-dev studio who were recently acquired by Keywords Studios in 2023. We believe that great games can only be built with great people and that great people thrive and do their best work in a healthy, collaborative, and positive work environment that values them. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace and building equity throughout the organization. At Hardsuit Labs, we are respectful and inclusive, we are problem solvers and efficiency champions, we are curious and collaborative, we are flexible and adaptable and most of all we are always looking to deliver excellence in the experiences and products that we craft! As a studio we have built a reputation as an Unreal Engine focused development house, working in a multitude of genres and games, from support work and work for hire to original development. We have long-standing relationships with some of the largest gaming companies in the industry and are a certified developer across all major platforms. Role Overview We are seeking a talented and versatile Mid to Senior Technical Artist to bridge the gap between our artistic vision and technical execution. In this role, you will collaborate closely with artists, designers, and engineers to optimize workflows, establish high-quality pipelines, and push the visual boundaries of our projects in Unreal Engine 5. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the 3D art pipeline, a strong grasp of 3D math, and the ability to maintain peak performance across multiple platforms—from high-end AAA environments to optimized mobile devices. Key Responsibilities Pipeline & Workflow Optimization: Define, build, and enforce technical and quality standards for all in-game art assets. Author comprehensive pipeline documentation to guide and support the art team Visual Development & Shaders: Develop advanced, optimized materials via node graphs using 3D/vector math. Create stunning real-time visual effects using Niagara FX Terrain & Procedural Workflows: Author complex, performant landscape and terrain materials (utilizing Runtime Virtual Texturing and layered shader workflows). Implement and leverage procedural generation systems (such as UE5's PCG framework) to streamline world-building and environment art pipelines Performance & Rendering: Balance cutting-edge UE5 features (Lumen, Nanite) for AAA experiences while ensuring strict performance optimization and calibration for lower-end and mobile platforms Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Act as the primary technical liaison between art, design, and engineering to ensure seamless asset integration and clear communication What You'll Bring (Requirements) Artistic Foundation: Strong understanding of lighting, color theory, composition, visual balance, and PBR rendering standards/calibration Software Proficiency: Proven experience authoring high-quality textures using Photoshop and the Substance Suite for games Technical Scripting: Strong knowledge of object-oriented programming (OOP) using UE5 Blueprint scripting, functions, and data-driven systems Problem-Solving Mindset: Detail-oriented with a natural talent for troubleshooting, profiling, and debugging complex technical art issues Autonomy & Communication: Ability to work independently through complex challenges while remaining highly collaborative, approachable, and professional Bonus Points (Preferred Qualifications) Tooling: Experience designing, developing, and deploying custom toolsets to improve artist workflows Automation & UI: Proficiency with Python scripting for DCCs (Maya, 3ds Max, Blender) and Unreal Engine, as well as experience with Editor Utility Widgets (EUW) and UMG UI systems Shipped Titles: Track record of delivering results on previously published or shipped game titles Hybrid Experience: Past professional experience working directly as a production artist, game designer, or software engineer This position is currently open to candidates residing in the following Canadian provinces only: Ontario, and British Columbia. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada and reside in one of the eligible provinces listed above. Salary Range: $92,500 to $132,500 CAD Primary working language: English Benefits Group Insurance: dental and health care benefits Group RRSP + employer matching contribution Employee and Family Assistance Program Hardsuit Labs is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, provincial, and local law. Hardsuit Labs is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at HR@Hardsuitlabs.com Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavor to create a workplace which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees. PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY By providing your information in this application, you understand that we will collect and process your information in accordance with our Applicant Privacy Notice. For more information, please see our Applicant Privacy Notice at https://www.keywordsstudios.com/en/applicant-privacy-notice. Role Information: EN Studio: Hardsuit Labs Location: Americas, Canada Area of Work: Game Development Service: Create Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent Working Pattern: Remote

What you’ll do

The Technical Artist will optimize workflows, establish high-quality pipelines, and enhance the visual quality of projects in Unreal Engine 5. They will also act as a liaison between art, design, and engineering teams to ensure seamless asset integration.

Requirements

Candidates should have a strong understanding of artistic principles and technical skills, including experience with 3D art tools and programming. A problem-solving mindset and the ability to work independently while collaborating with teams are essential.

Benefits

• Dental and Health Care Benefits • Group RRSP + Employer Matching Contribution • Employee and Family Assistance Program

Listed skills

• Software · Preferred
• collaborative · Preferred
• Technical · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• materials · Preferred
• Health · Preferred
• Teams · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Pipeline · Preferred
• Development · Preferred
• Time · Preferred
• Rendering · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• 3D Art Pipeline
• 3D Math
• Unreal Engine 5
• Lighting
• Color Theory
• Composition
• Visual Balance
• PBR Rendering
• Photoshop
• Substance Suite
• OOP
• Blueprint Scripting
• Troubleshooting
• Profiling
• Debugging
• Procedural Generation

Job areas

• Technology
• Creative & Media
• Software
• Art & Design
• Engineering