The Lead Level Artist at Arctic 7 is responsible for leading the Level Art Team in the development of AAA environments in accordance with the overall vision of the game. The Lead Level Artist must have a great artistic vision, good technical knowledge of the subject and be creative in order to be involved in all processes related to the creation and quality of the visual part of the game levels at all stages of production. 

Having this role, you will:  

• Collaborate with Art Director and other disciplines (Environment Art, Technical Art, FX Art, Lighting Art, Animators, Level Design, etc.) to deliver beautiful, lively and credible maps to match artistic, gameplay and technical requirements.  
• Collaborate with the Producer to organize/estimate tasks and schedules/roadmaps for the Level Art team, delivering across the stages of the project.  
• Manage Level Art backlogs, bugs, and risks in an effective manner, to ensure the smooth running of the department throughout the project.  
• Manage and develop the individuals within the Level Art team to ensure they are achieving the best results, are happy, and set up to excel within the studio.  
• Check and provide feedback for artistic, technical and gameplay related aspects of the level areas created by the Level Art team.  
• Collaborate with the Technical Artist on the implementation of the pipeline for the creation of level art related content (tools, generators, modules, materials, texturing, auto-checks, etc.).  
• Create, oversee and maintain all relevant documentation for Level Art, including naming, folder structure and terminology related to Level Art production.  
• Participate in reviewing and interviewing potential candidates.  
• Work with the Outsource Producer on scope, manage, and run the Outsourcers plan for Level Art if required. This will include:   
• Assemble benchmark internal asset packs and documentation.  
• Control quality and provide clear and regular feedback.  
• Create/edit content to provide references of quality bar (art blockout, proxy geometry, props, modular constructors, buildings, materials, decals, decoration, etc.), with the main focus being on lead responsibility which is described above.  

We expect:  

• Strong Portfolio with examples of levels and its content.  
• Experience in Level Art production within a Leadership position:  
• At least 3 years of experience acquired in the video game industry.  
• Participation in the production of at least one successful/AAA project on PC and/or consoles.  
• Experience with a full project cycle, working within technical budgets and experience of optimization and bug fixing.  
• Great skills in Maya/3DS Max/Blender, Zbrush, Substance Painter and Photoshop. Knowledge of Substance Designer and Houdini.  
• Excellent knowledge of modern and classic techniques for Level Art content creating (modules, tiles, trims, decals, multiple UV technics, planning, optimization, bugs fixing and etc.).  
• Excellent High and Low poly modeling skills, as well as demonstrable skill with texture and material creation within a PBR pipeline.  
• Being self-motivated to learn new techniques and methods.  
• An exceptional eye for detail.  
• Ability to research asset listing preparation, content production, and organization, including accurate time estimation.  
• Excellent communication skills, you like to work in a team and know how to educate artists.  
• Good English skills, both writing and speaking.  

Nice to have, but not required: 

• A passion for playing and developing exceptional games.  
• Traditional 2D skills for concept art and paint overs.  
• Knowledge of architecture, sculpture, drawing, lighting, colors/shapes theory and art styles. 
• Knowledge of vegetation assets production.  
• Knowledge of fabric geometry production (Marvelous Designer experience or equal).  
• Experience in using mainstream engines (Unity, Unreal Engine 4/5).  
• Blueprint experience in Unreal Engine. 
• Scripting experience in MEL or MaxScript Python. 
• Ability and desire to propose technical and artistic solutions to other trades related to the project. 

Working mode (optional):

• Remote: working from home, from any Europe location that is within 3 hours of the UTC +1 time zone.
• Office: working primarily from Podgorica, Montenegro [company provides relocation support].