Principal Tools & Pipeline Technical Artist - Unpublished R&D Product

As a Technical Artist for Tools/Pipeline, you'll employ your expert-level knowledge of 3D tools to build tools, maintain pipelines, and provide technical support for artists on their most critical missions. You will establish and improve the systems, tools, rigs, assets, and workflows that unleash the creativity of our artists and allow the production of the best possible art content for our players. And you will critique work, mentor fellow Rioters, and foster the long-term growth of a group of artists.

As a Principal Tools & Pipeline Technical Artist on an unpublished R&D product, you'll focus on building the tools and tech used for content development on an upcoming game project. This will involve building pipelines and workflows for DCC (Digital Content Creation) software, and consulting with art to discover the best possible solutions to the challenges the project team faces. You report directly to the Technical Art Director of the project.

Responsibilities:

• Communicate a cohesive vision and standard for art vision, artistic workflows, and pipelines based on the Art Director and Creative Director’s visions.
• Assist in evaluating new systems and technology that support the artistic, product, and gameplay goals.
• Help to identify new opportunities to incorporate technology to increase art workflow efficiency and unlock new creative opportunities.
• Amplify artistic capabilities while maintaining efficient and sustainable memory and performance
• Lead the team in identifying new opportunities to incorporate technology to increase art workflow efficiency and unlock new creative opportunities
• Partner with other Technical Art leaders at the studio to develop a cohesive vision and shared standards across the Technical Art discipline

Required Qualifications: 

• 7+ years of professional experience as a technical artist in games or related industries
• Professional experience working within the games industry
• Expertise in industry-standard content creation tools, such as Maya, and commercial game engines (i.e. Unreal, Unity, etc.)
• Fluency in modern scripting languages and related UI frameworks, such as Python and PyQt/PySide
• Experience problem-solving and communicating with multiple art disciplines and acting as an ambassador between art and engineering

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in game development using Unreal
• Experience writing shaders and working in HLSL
• Understanding of 3D modeling, efficient UV layouts, and materials
• Strong understanding of current console art pipelines

When submitting your application, please provide a portfolio of your high-quality tech art - including stylized artwork. And as a part of the application process, you may also be asked to complete an art test.

For this role, you'll find success through craft expertise and a collaborative spirit that prioritizes the delight of players. We will look at your past studies and experience, but for this role, we also look for dedicated people with a personal relationship with games. If you embody player empathy and care about players' experiences, this is the role for you!

Our Perks:

Riot focuses on work/life balance, shown by our open paid time off policy and other perks such as flexible work schedules. We offer medical, dental, and life insurance, parental leave for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children, and a 401k with company match. Check out our benefits pages for more information.

At Riot Games, we  put players first . That mission drives every decision in our quest to create games and experiences that make it better to be a player. Whether you’re working directly on a new player-facing experience or you’re supporting the company as a whole, everyone at Riot is part of our mission. And just like in our games, we’re better when we work together. Our goal is to create collaborative teams where you are empowered to bring your unique perspective everyday. If that sounds like the kind of place you want to work, we’re looking forward to your application.

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and members of Riot Games, Inc. Riot Games makes reasonable accommodations for handicapped and disabled Rioters and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, handicap, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. We consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law, including the California Fair Chance Act, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the Washington Fair Chance Act.

Per the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the following core duties may create a basis for disqualifying candidates with relevant criminal histories:

• Safeguarding confidential and sensitive Company data
• Communication with others, including Rioters and third parties such as vendors, and/or players, including minors
• Accessing Company assets, secure digital systems, and networks
• Ensuring a safe interactive environment for players and other Rioters

These duties are directly related to essential operations, safety, trust, and compliance obligations within our organization. Please note that job duties may evolve based on business needs and additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to maintain operational efficiency and security. 

• (Los Angeles Only) Base salary range between $206,700.00 - $289,000.00 USD + incentive compensation + equity + 401K with company match + medical, dental, vision, and life insurance + short and long-term disability + open PTO.