Technical Director

Summary

Join OLIVER, a global leader in bespoke in-house agencies, as their Unreal Engine Technical Director. Based in the UK with hybrid/remote options, you will bridge artistic vision and technical execution, leveraging your Unreal Engine expertise to architect cutting-edge solutions. Collaborate with artists, develop robust systems, and stay at the forefront of Unreal Engine advancements. This role demands expert-level Unreal Engine knowledge, strong programming skills, and experience with real-time 3D pipelines. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining scalable systems, collaborating with artists, and optimizing data streaming and asset management. This is a high-growth opportunity to shape the future of real-time 3D graphics at the intersection of CG, AI, and VFX.

Requirements

• Expert-level knowledge of Unreal Engine (ideally UE5), including Blueprint, C++, materials, lighting, rendering, and a deep understanding of its architecture and rendering pipeline
• Proven ability to develop tools and plugins for Unreal Engine, extending its functionality
• Strong programming skills (C++ and/or Blueprint). Python is a plus
• Experience with real-time 3D pipelines and workflows, including integration with other CGI/VFX tools
• Strong understanding of performance optimization techniques within Unreal Engine, particularly for large datasets
• Experience with data import and optimization pipelines within Unreal Engine, including Datasmith
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git)
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• A passion for innovation and R&D
• Strong team player: A collaborative and supportive approach
• Solution-oriented mindset: Prioritizing the best solution
• Demonstrable capability: Practical skills (portfolio/code samples) prioritized over pure experience
• You can be the change - you prioritise environmental responsibility, social equity, and economic viability and how that translates into your day-to-day role

Responsibilities

• As an Unreal Engine expert, provide technical solutions and guidance, and dedicating time to R&D to explore and enhance our workflows and capabilities
• Design, develop, and maintain robust and scalable systems within Unreal Engine, addressing complex visual challenges with innovative solutions
• Stay abreast of the latest Unreal Engine features, updates, and best practices, proactively identifying opportunities to enhance our real-time 3D pipeline
• Collaborate with Artists to understand their creative requirements and translate those into efficient and effective technical implementations within Unreal Engine
• Architect and implement systems for optimized data streaming, asset management, and scene optimization, leveraging Unreal Engine's full potential and integrating with our broader workflow

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and integrating Unreal Engine pipelines with DCC applications (e.g., 3ds Max, Maya, Houdini) and compositing software (e.g., Nuke)
• Shader development experience (HLSL/GLSL)
• Familiarity with industry-standard texturing tools (e.g., Substance Painter/Designer)
• Experience with remote collaboration tools and workflows
• Familiarity with Cloud Platforms
• Experience/Interest in: other real-time engines (e.g., Unity), VR/AR development in Unreal Engine, procedural content generation, Pixel Streaming
• Experience/Interest in: computer graphics, game development, or software engineering
• Portfolio or open-source contributions
• Automotive Visualization Experience (non-essential, but a significant plus)
• Active participation in relevant online communities
• Experience mentoring or leading junior developers
• Experience with virtual production methodologies, motion capture, and integrating other real-time data streams into Unreal Engine