Avalanche Studios Group is looking for a visionary and empathetic Lead Environment Artist to join our world-class development team. Whether you prefer the creative pulse of Stockholm or the coastal innovation of Malmö, this role offers the chance to lead the creation of the sprawling, immersive, and “beyond limits” open worlds that have defined our studio for over two decades.
As a Lead, you are more than a technical expert; you are the bridge between high-level artistic direction and the talented artists who bring that vision to life. You will foster a culture of excellence, mentorship, and creative freedom, ensuring that our environments—from lush jungles to gritty, post-apocalyptic landscapes—remain the gold standard of the industry.
Job Overview: Lead Environment Artist
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | Avalanche Studios Group |
| Position Title | Lead Environment Artist |
| Job Type | Permanent Employment |
| Location Options | Stockholm or Malmö, Sweden |
| Work Model | Hybrid (Onsite: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays) |
| Department | Development – Art |
| Salary Range | Competitive / Based on Experience (discussed during interview) |
| Relocation | Not available for this specific role |
| Application Language | English |
Avalanche Studios Group is a unique powerhouse in the gaming industry. Our studios are the birthplace of iconic franchises like Just Cause, theHunter: Call of the Wild, and the high-octane world of Mad Max. We don’t just build maps; we build ecosystems.
Our Stockholm office, located in the vibrant district of Södermalm, serves as a physical manifestation of our creative DNA—a space where industrial aesthetics meet organic beauty. We believe that great games come from great environments, and that starts with the workplace. We operate on a hybrid model designed to maximize both personal focus and team synergy, bringing our “Avalanchers” together three days a week to brainstorm, collaborate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in open-world technology.
In this pivotal leadership role, you will balance three primary pillars: Artistic Oversight, Operational Excellence, and People Management.
Artistic Leadership & Quality Control
Your primary mission is to translate the Art Director’s vision into actionable tasks for the environment team. You will:
- Interpret the Vision: Serve as the “North Star” for the environment team, ensuring every asset, texture, and vista aligns with the project’s stylistic goals.
- Oversee Asset Creation: Track the production of visual assets from block-out to final polish, ensuring they meet our rigorous quality benchmarks while staying within technical budgets.
- Hands-on Refinement: While this is a leadership role, we value leads who aren’t afraid to dive back into the tools. You will occasionally participate in asset creation to set visual bars or help solve complex artistic challenges.
Operational Synergy & Collaboration
Game development is a team sport. You will act as a diplomat and problem-solver across departments:
- Cross-Functional Partnerships: Work closely with Level Designers and Technical Artists to ensure that environments are not only beautiful but also functional for gameplay and optimized for performance.
- Bottleneck Resolution: Proactively identify technical or creative hurdles that slow down the team and implement solutions to keep production moving smoothly.
- Process Improvement: Constantly evaluate the environment art pipeline, seeking out industry best practices and new tools to enhance productivity and visual fidelity.
People Management: The “Employee Journey”
At Avalanche, we believe our people are our most valuable resource. You will be responsible for the growth and well-being of your direct reports:
- Recruitment & Onboarding: Help identify and hire new talent, ensuring they are integrated into the team culture and understand our workflows from day one.
- Mentorship & Career Growth: Conduct regular performance evaluations and one-on-one meetings. You are responsible for identifying the career aspirations of your artists and providing them with the feedback and opportunities they need to reach the next level.
- Administrative Stewardship: Handle the essential “day-to-day” management, including time reports, leave requests, and ensuring compliance with legal and workplace environment standards.
- Culture Advocacy: Serve as a representative of Avalanche’s values, fostering an inclusive, respectful, and open environment where diverse opinions are celebrated.
We are looking for a seasoned veteran who is ready to move beyond individual contribution and into the realm of empowering others.
- Industry Expertise: You have extensive experience within high-end game development, specifically within Art departments. Your portfolio should showcase a deep mastery of environment art, including architectural composition, organic modeling, and world-building.
- Proven Leadership: You have a track record of coaching and developing high-performing teams. You know how to motivate artists during the long haul of a production cycle and how to deliver constructive feedback that inspires rather than discourages.
- Exceptional Communication: You can speak “Artist,” “Designer,” and “Developer” fluently. You are capable of explaining complex artistic concepts to non-art stakeholders and technical requirements to creative teams.
- Solution-Oriented: When a project hits a wall, you don’t just point at the problem—you find the way around it. You are adaptable and thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing production environment.
Research shows that under-represented groups often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every single listed requirement. At Avalanche, we want to break that cycle. We value your drive to learn and your passion for tackling challenges more than a checklist of qualifications. If you are an experienced artist with leadership potential but don’t tick every single box above, we still want to see your application! We believe that diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives are the secret ingredients to making games that resonate globally.
- A Permanent Stake: This is a permanent position, offering stability and the chance to grow with the studio over many years.
- Hybrid Flexibility: A work-life balance that respects your time, combining the focus of home-office work with the collaborative energy of our Södermalm or Malmö hubs.
- A Culture of Respect: An environment where you are treated as an equal regardless of heritage, gender, or orientation.
- World-Class Projects: The opportunity to lead teams on some of the most technologically advanced open-world titles in the industry.
How to Apply
Ready to build worlds with us? Please submit your CV and Portfolio in English.
Note: All further studio-related information, including project specifics, will be shared under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) during the interview process. Please be aware that relocation assistance is not provided for this role; applicants should ideally be based in or willing to move to the Stockholm or Malmö areas independently.
Avalanche Studios Group: Create Worlds Beyond Limits.
Avalanche hiring Lead Environment Artist, Sweden
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