Principal Environment Artist - GameSim - Pipeline

Ovii's Interpretation of the Role

The Principal Environment Artist will lead the creation and quality of real‑time game environments, define production pipelines, and mentor artists across multiple projects. This senior individual‑contributor role blends artistic vision with technical problem‑solving to set visual standards and drive efficient workflow across studios.

Role Snapshot

• Lead environment‑art quality and visual standards
• Define and improve production pipelines
• Mentor and guide senior and junior environment artists
• Collaborate with art directors, technical art, production and engineering
• Create benchmark assets and modular environment systems
• Drive technical‑art solutions for performance and optimization

Must-Have Requirements

• Professional experience in game development or real‑time production
• Multiple shipped games or comparable real‑time projects
• Portfolio demonstrating exceptional environment‑art quality
• Unreal Engine (or other modern real‑time engine)
• Advanced modular environment creation
• Optimization knowledge (LOD, memory, draw calls, shader complexity)
• 3D modeling tools (Maya/Blender/3ds Max)
• ZBrush
• Substance Painter & Designer
• Photoshop
• Perforce source‑control
• Extensive professional experience in game development / real‑time production
• Multiple shipped games or comparable projects

Nice-to-Have Signals

• Co‑development / outsourcing experience
• AAA title contributions
• Realistic and stylized pipeline experience
• Ownership of level/biome from planning to delivery
• Unreal Engine systems (World Partition, Nanite, virtual texturing, Blueprints)
• Houdini procedural modeling
• SpeedTree foliage workflow
• Python scripting / editor automation
• Project scoping, staffing, hiring involvement
• Co‑development / outsourcing background
• AAA title experience
• Procedural pipeline expertise

Work Setup

• Location: Canada
• Work mode: REMOTE
• Remote scope: COUNTRY_RESTRICTED
• Remote countries: Canada
• Employment type: Full-Time

Eligibility Gates

• Work authorization: Authorized to work in Canada
• Visa sponsorship: no

Application Requirements

• Portfolio required
• Assessment mentioned

Not Specified in JD

• Visa sponsorship
• Education requirement
• Certifications
• Relocation
• Travel
• Security clearance
• Coding test
• Cover letter

What You'll Likely Work On

• Create high‑quality real‑time environments, architecture, modular kits, hero assets, materials, terrain and foliage
• Produce benchmark scenes that set visual and technical quality bars
• Translate art direction, concept art and design requirements into clear production goals
• Define environment‑art strategies for modular construction, asset reuse, trim‑sheet workflows and material systems
• Partner with Art Direction, Production and Technical Art to balance visual quality, scope, schedule and technical constraints
• Identify artistic, technical and production risks early and propose practical solutions
• Mentor environment artists across internal teams, partner studios and external vendors
• Communicate risks, trade‑offs and priorities to artistic and non‑artistic stakeholders and participate in client meetings

Good Fit If You Have

• Experience in co‑development, outsourcing or work‑for‑hire game production
• Background contributing to AAA PC or console titles
• Familiarity with procedural tools such as Houdini, SpeedTree or Python scripting
• Hands‑on experience owning a level, biome or major environment feature from concept to delivery