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Monolith Productions

Kirkland, Washington - United States
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Technical Art Director

Description

SUMMARY OF POSITION

For over 20 years Monolith has been obsessed with delivering unique gaming experiences for our fans. Combining innovative gameplay, cutting edge technology and AI, inventive narratives and stunning visuals to create award winning and best-selling games. Starting with our first game, Blood through to our most recent title, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor which has been awarded with numerous Game of the Year Awards, including Gamespot, Joystiq and IGN as well as Best Action/Adventure Game at the 2014 Game Awards.

We are dedicated to ensuring that our next game is our best yet, and to achieve that we need the best and brightest talent the industry has to offer.

Monolith Productions seeks a Technical Art Director for the Monolith Art department. The Technical Art Director is an individual contributor who is a recognized expert in their field and holds a wealth of knowledge in dealing with the technical issues around content creation for video games. The Technical Art Director will produce work that is at the highest level of quality and difficulty. They have a proven track record of resolving the most complex and broad reaching challenges in relationship to content construction, pipeline management and leading edge visuals. This is a ‘forward looking’ role. In addition to current “best practices” and competitive awareness, the Director is expected to understand emerging trends and technologies in video game content and make strategic recommendations as to how they may benefit and/or impact the organization. The Director makes important contributions to key Monolith initiatives and projects and participates in setting product and/or functional vision within the studio. Areas the Technical Art Director is responsible for include visual R&D, performance monitoring, standard setting, as well as process and pipeline issues. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Assist the Director of Technical Art in:
  • Defining content aspirations for the studio.
  • Identifying and or selecting tools and technologies to enhance the content creation process.
  • Improving and evolving production and organization structures.
  • Collaborate with other technical and aesthetic experts within the company to define clear goals for the toolset, pipeline and construction processes.
  • Analyze competitive products and makes recommendations to senior management.
  • The Technical Art Director spearheads R&D efforts for tools, content and new technologies in relationship to art and Aesthetics.
  • Collaborates with the art Leads and the Director of Technical Art on establishing shared Art Cultures and best practices.
  • Participates in setting strategic vision for content and tools.
  • Collaborates with engineering to develop cutting edge tools and technologies.
  • Works with the other content producers to ensure proper game performance and optimizations.
  • Identifies and test external 3rd party tools that would help maintain our leading edge in content constructions and visuals.
  • Identifies and executes on the most difficult content creation problems for the project.
  • Set pieces (blowing up a city, an entire level falling out of a plane).
  • Systemic (developing content guideline and pipelines for the nemesis system.).
  • Identifies and executes solutions to Pipeline and technology deficiencies within the studio.
  • Researches future solutions or cutting edge content technologies.
  • Reviews pipelines and content creation process to identify best practices.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
  • Minimum 2-year 2D/3D art degree, architecture degree, or equivalent with excellent critique and vocabulary skills. BFA or equivalent preferred.
  • 12 or more years of art or animation.
  • Must have shipped Multiple 3D titles.
  • Strong technical proficiency in understanding proprietary tools and technology.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
  • Must be familiar the majority of modern 3D software packages (Maya, 3D Studio Max, Motion Builder, zBrush etc.).
  • Strong understanding of game development process.
  • Strong understanding of methods of optimizing game art assets for game engines and optimizing pipelines and processes.
  • Strong understanding of Python /C#/Scripting Languages or similar systems required.
  • A Strong understanding of modern 3d engines and the technology behind them.
  • Solid experience and understanding of art/animation pipelines on modern game consoles.
  • Up to date knowledge of current art techniques and development processes.
  • Strong 2D drawing and digital painting skills.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and with deadlines.
  • Diligence with individual and team tasks, schedule and adherence to budget limitations.
  • Strong interest in computer or video games.
  • Strong Troubleshooting skills.
  • Positive attitude and a desire to bring new ideas to the team.
  • Passion for making and playing great games, with an awareness of current titles and industry trends.


The Warner Bros. Entertainment Group of Companies is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran's status (including protected veterans, as may be required by federal law), sexual orientation or any other category protected by law.

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