Sr 3D Artist, ExDev (Contract)

Santa Monica Studio is seeking an experienced 3D artist for the development of a new unannounced title!

This is an opportunity to contribute to the artistic vision and development of our products with a specialized focus on creating high-quality props and assets while leveraging your environment art background.

As a Senior 3D Artist, you will effectively collaborate with a wide range of development team members outside of your direct discipline, such as the Art Director, Designers, Technical Artists, Animators, Programmers, and Producers, to achieve artistic goals and implementation in relation to design and technological considerations. You will also serve as a bridge between internal teams and external development partners.

Responsibilities

Partner with external development teams by providing clear feedback, detailed briefs, and technical guidance to ensure delivered assets meet our quality standards and artistic vision

Take ownership of specific prop categories or asset sets and facilitate requests or information needs regarding any aspect of the prop creation process

Implement delivered assets into the game engine and perform technical optimization, including minor ZBrush mesh cleanup, UV layout improvements, and resolving technical inefficiencies with delivered art assets

Mentor junior and mid-level artists, including onboarding new team members, providing timely feedback, and directing work duties to support their growth and development

Possess strong time management and prioritization skills, collaborating with the Production group to develop task lists, ensuring assignments progress in alignment with schedules, milestones, and overall project goals

Clearly communicate updates and escalate concerns to appropriate team members and managers while representing the studio professionally in all external communications

Serve as a high-level contributor to the development of artistic techniques and processes utilized to create props and assets within the studio, drawing from comprehensive knowledge of environment art production pipelines and all engine tools and systems

Content creation from concept to final implementation, including 3D modeling / sculpting, 2D texture map painting, material setup / UV layout, baking, and LOD creation according to defined quality standards, artistic styles, conceptual designs, development pipelines, technical parameters, and production goals

Create and implement a wide variety of high-quality assets, including environment props, character props, breakables, and environment assets, maintaining artistic direction and vision through all phases of development

Requirements

7+ years of industry experience with a focus on prop creation and environment art

Proficient in Maya (or equivalent 3D modeling package), ZBrush, and Substance Designer / Painter

Strong experience in full asset creation pipeline from high-res sculpting to final in-game implementation, including modeling, texturing, material creation, and technical optimization

Comprehensive understanding of video game product development including workflow, tools, lighting, high and low poly modeling, texture painting, UV layout, material setup, baking processes, and engine parameters / optimizations

Experience with optimal UV layouts and ability to troubleshoot and resolve baking issues when transitioning from high-res to game-res assets

Demonstrated ability to work with outsourcing partners and external development teams, providing clear feedback and maintaining positive professional relationships

Excellent aesthetic and artistic eye with ability to consistently elevate asset quality through feedback and hands-on refinement

Strong communication, organizational, time management, mentoring, and interpersonal skills

Works under minimal direction to determine and develop an approach to solutions while maintaining flexibility to work on various asset types and collaborate across multiple departments

Preferred Experience

Experience with Houdini

Shipped AAA game(s), or games with high-quality art standards

Ability to create paint-overs or modify 3d assets to provide visual feedback

Extensive experience with outsourcing processes and external team management

Understanding of environment art creation and level layout principles

Basic animation experience and understanding of asset requirements for animated content

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At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.

Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click

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The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.

$57.98 - $86.92 USD

Equal Opportunity Statement :

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