Senior Character Technical Artist

At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences.

A career at Rockstar Games is about being part of a team working on some of the most creatively rewarding and ambitious projects to be found in any entertainment medium. You would be welcomed to a dedicated and inclusive environment where you can learn, and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry.

Rockstar North is on the lookout for talented Senior Character Technical Artist who possess a passion for creating humans, creatures, clothing and accessories to the very highest standard. This is a full-time permanent position based out of Rockstar's unique game development studio in the heart of Edinburgh.

**WHAT WE DO**:

- We design, create and populate the world with the people and creatures that bring the story and play to life, for both our story-driven and online game worlds.
- Our characters are the embodiment of the player's experiences and their interactions when they play - how they look, feel and interact with other living things.
- We design in-deep customization and functionality to character assets for the game's specific needs.
- We work with a broad range of digital tools for sculpting, modelling and texture panting, with fundamental basis in observational art creation and an explicit attention to detail.
- We use other technical tools for cloth simulations, photogrammetry and physically based shader pipelines to help us create believable characters.
- You'll join a global team setting high standards across all of our projects, who have an exacting production focus and an obsession for getting the minutiae right.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Work with parameterised shaders across both Character Skin and Clothing (eg skin shader system; dermal properties, surface layering including make-up, face paint).
- Help define the workflow for material layering across the shader types and their function with other dynamic, environmental game systems.
- Work with AD to create source Art inputs to shader systems.
- Use in-engine editing tools to create library pre-sets for various Skin & Clothing items.
- Work collaboratively with Graphics and Engine teams to define the holistic approach to surfacing.
- Help shape the development of tools and UI to shape effective user experience.
- Work with assembly teams to ensure they have a library of available pre-sets to service all character contexts.
- Influence look-dev of shader types and tuning in an evolving materials/lighting pipeline.
- Operate as an inter-departmental point of contact between Art, Tech Art and Code Graphics to deliver features.
- Work to maintain the pipeline in terms of game asset data.
- Work within the Character team to meet budgetary constraints for engine performance.
- Works closely with the rigging team within the character pipeline for body typologies.
- Trial run, document and feedback on new tools/techniques as engines and features evolve.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- 3+ years relevant experience in a game development pipeline.

**SKILLS**:

- A full understanding of all current generation production workflows as they pertain to character art asset production - including an understanding of PBR/Lighting pipelines and shader tools.
- A deep understanding of texturing suites such Substance Designer, Substance Painter and Photoshop.
- Extensive experience using 3D Studio Max, Maya or similar 3D creation packages.
- Detailed eye for materials, pattern and placement across items, with a focus on quality and consistency.
- Understanding of animated normal maps in a game workflow.
- Experience using game engines (e.g. Unreal/Unity or other proprietary engine tech).
- Ability to work with bespoke engine toolsets, defined asset workflows, and contribute to overall character department goals and working practices.
- Understanding of the features that hold a character together technically with the ability to debug and directly fix issues at the source.
- Understanding of the source art to in-game export pipeline and delivery of final character across Art, Technical Art and Animation.
- Positive, solution-oriented individual with a passion for making great game art in a team setting.
- Self-motivated and flexible, with excellent communication skills.

**PLUSES**:

- Knowledge of Maxscript.
- Experience in other scripting and programming languages (Python, WPF, C# etc.).
- Can demonstrate digital sculpting skills and understanding of both human and creature anatomy; garment and clothing drapery.
- Has a keen understanding of the human body and facial anatomy; form, structure and silhouette in respect of economical and appropriate modelling for game target assets and polycounts.
- Familiarity working and developing in a multi-platform, multi-project environment.
- Understanding in developing pipelines and creating efficient user interfaces.
- Experience of Rigging character assets.
- Knowledge of source control (such as Perforce or GIT) and working on code bas