Art Lead

Summary

Join Crystal Dynamics and become our Art Lead, overseeing in-game art for our projects. You will be central to developing and executing the game's visual style, collaborating with vendors and outsourcing partners to ensure high-quality results. As Art Lead, you will provide feedback, develop documentation, refine art assets in Unreal Engine, collaborate with the Art Director, manage outsourcing, handle vendor contracts, screen and interview vendors, mentor artists, and stay updated on industry trends. We require experience as a senior/lead game artist with proficiency in various software and tools, excellent communication skills, and a strong portfolio. Crystal Dynamics offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, professional development reimbursement, and flexible work opportunities.

Requirements

• Experience as a senior / lead game artist, having contributed to or have significant understanding of high-quality in-game art in various disciplines (concept art, environment art, lighting, character art, etc.) for a current or next-gen PC/console release
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear feedback and art direction
• Proficiency with industry-specific tools such as Maya, Max, Substance Painter, Unreal 5, Houdini, Blender
• Proficiency in Project Management Software such as Confluence, Miro or Jira
• An understanding of the technical constraints of commercial game engines
• A strong portfolio showcasing a strong understanding of high-fidelity, photorealistic creation within a core area of game development, ie. weapons/gadgets, environment, lighting, characters, etc
• Able and willing to regularly meet with varied development teams located in worldwide time zones

Responsibilities

• Provide clear and concise feedback to internal and external teams to ensure alignment with the studio's quality standards, technical requirements, and artistic vision
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, such as style guides and technical specifications, to foster consistent and efficient communication
• Be proficient in Unreal Engine and able to be a contributor; refine final art assets in industry-standard software and import them into Unreal Engine
• Collaborate with the Art Director and internal directors to define and carry out the game's overall visual style
• Manage the outsourcing pipeline, including identifying and onboarding external vendors, defining the scope of work, providing feedback and art direction, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality assets
• Handle vendor contract negotiations, pinpointing costs and deliverables, seeking the nod from legal and finance during this phase, and later supervising the allocated budgets
• Actively screen and interview prospective vendors to align with the outsourcing needs of the team
• Mentor and provide feedback to artists, enhancing their skills and helping them reach their full potential
• Stay updated on industry trends and participate in cross-discipline discussions to refine designs and techniques

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on third-person action-adventure games or similar genres
• Experience managing outsourcing pipelines and collaborating with external vendors
• Proficiency in Unreal Engine
• Eagerness to work with external vendors
• In-depth grasp of contract discussions, budgeting, and asset supervision
• Shipped a AAA title in a Lead / Senior role
• Desire to mentor as well as produce art

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Professional development reimbursement
• Flexible hybrid on-site/off-site work opportunities
• Company paid holidays
• Additional paid days in December when the studio is closed for holiday break
• Ability to accrue additional paid time-off