Sumo Digital
Summary
Sumo Sheffield is seeking an experienced or aspiring Lead Technical Artist to work on high-profile AAA console titles currently being developed in the UK. The Lead Technical Artist will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining efficient and feature-rich art asset creation tools, plugins, and pipelines in collaboration with the Art Team and Technical Programmers. The role requires experience in leading technical art across a singular or multiple projects, coding and documenting user-facing tools for art creation and workflow, fluency in Python, understanding of C# (or other widely used language), developing pipelines for proprietary engines and tools across multiple shipped titles, Houdini expertise, proficiency with Unreal Engine, and knowledge of rigging, shaders, and VFX. The position is open to remote, hybrid, and in-studio working within the UK, and international remote working may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Sumo Sheffield offers a range of benefits, including a defined annual bonus scheme, ULEV car scheme, flexible working, free dental insurance, life assurance, income protection, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, employee assistance program, career development pathway, and more. Sumo Digital is an award-winning international family of studios with a rich history of developing multiple AAA franchises and contributing to genre-defining titles.
Job description
With a rich history of developing multiple AAA franchises such as Little Big Planet and Crackdown, as well as contributing to genre-defining titles like the Forza Motorsport and Hitman series, Sumo Sheffield’s vast development experience spans multiple genres and platforms.
As winners of the TIGA Star Employment Award for 2021, recipients of the GI Biz 2020 Best Places to Work Award and listed as one of the UK’s 100 Best Large Companies to Work for in 2021 and 2022, Sumo Digital has enjoyed 20 years of stability and growth since its formation in 2003 and continues to strive for excellence across every single project.
The team have a track record of working on some of the world's biggest and best games and received two BAFTAs for their work on Sackboy: A Big Adventure. As the scale and exclusivity of projects continues to grow, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the Sumo Sheffield family!
The role @ Sumo Sheffield
We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced or aspiring Lead Technical Artist to work on high-profile AAA console titles currently being developed in the UK. You will serve as the bridge between code and art - ensuring that the art team has the ideal toolset to meet the demands of AAA content creation.
Responsible for design, development and maintenance of efficient and feature rich art asset creation tools, plugins, and pipelines in collaboration with the Art Team and Technical Programmers.
You’ll also champion and embrace technical and artistic best practices to ensure predictable, high-quality delivery of assets required to achieve project milestone commitments.
This position is open to remote, hybrid and in-studio working (within the UK, international remote working may be considered on a case by case basis).
We will need you to have experience of:
- Leading Technical Art across a singular or multiple projects in tandem.
- Coding and documenting user-facing tools for art creation and workflow.
- Fluency in Python, understanding of C# (or other widely used language).
- Developing pipelines for proprietary engines and tools across multiple shipped titles.
- Houdini Expertise.
- Proficient with Unreal Engine.
- Balancing aesthetic needs and optimisation and able to foresee conflicts in advance.
- Proficiency in working "under the hood" with digital art content creation tools such as Maya, 3DS Max Photoshop, Substance, etc.
- Knowledge of rigging, shaders, and VFX.
- Understanding of artistic principles (scale/proportion, lighting, composition).
- Experience with Perforce.
- Experience integrating pipeline tools with art content management systems such as Shotgun and ftrack.
What we offer:
. Defined Annual Bonus Scheme
. ULEV car scheme
. Monthly allowance to spend on enhancing benefits
. Salary Sacrifice Pension
. Flexible Working
. 21 days free-use holiday
+ your birthday off
+ 5 learning days including 1 volunteer day
+ a duvet day
+ Christmas shutdown from Christmas Eve to New Year
+ Bank Holidays
+ extra allowance accrued for longer service
. Free dental insurance
. Life Assurance 4x Salary
. Income Protection of 75% for 5 years
. Enhanced Mat/Paternity & Adoption pay
. Employee Assistance Programme:
. Help at Hand - Remote GP, Mental Health & Physio appointments
. Free financial & home buying support consultations
. Cycle to Work Scheme
. Payroll Giving Scheme
. Access to 4,000 Udemy Courses
. Career Development Pathway
. Wrap Parties.
. Project Completion Awards
. Game/Creative Jams
. Big Family Events
. Studio social activities, e.g. running, board games, film, yoga, life drawing…
. Prism – Sumo’s employee diversity focus group
. Free fruit and drinks in our studios
. Employee Referral Bonus
Where do we stand on diversity?
At Sumo, we want to enable everyone to bring their full, authentic selves to work every single day. We acknowledge that the games industry is far from perfect and a global organisation with people all over the world, from all kinds of backgrounds, we know it’s part of our duty to provide everyone at Sumo with a safe, accepting and affirming working environment.
We encourage and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
More about Sumo Sheffield
Sumo Sheffield is located just outside the city centre in Sumo Digital’s HQ, just off J34 on the M1 and a stone’s throw from the city’s primary shopping and leisure complex. With a multi-building campus comprised of industry-leading facilities, an onsite gym and subsidised canteen, Sumo Sheffield provides everything needed for all teams to create the world’s best games.
Sheffield is the fifth largest city in the UK and is easily accessible by road and rail from Leeds, Manchester and the Midlands. The city enjoys a wealth of facilities to suit a wide array of interests, including:
o World-class sports facilities
o Iconic theatres and galleries
o Multiple retail and shopping experiences
o Diverse and renowned restaurants and eateries
o The award-winning National Video Game Museum
More about Sumo Digital
Sumo Digital is an award-winning international family of studios. Recent releases from Sumo Digital studios include: BAFTA-Award winning Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Hood: Outlaws & Legends, Control Ultimate Edition on Google Stadia, Apple Arcade Award-winning Little Orpheus, Hot Shot Racing, WST Snooker and Spyder.
Apply for this job
Location: Sheffield
Country: United Kingdom
Date found: 2023-03-17