As a Hard Surface Artist at Stellar Entertainment, you will define the visual texture of our unannounced AAA project. Working in Unreal Engine 5, you’ll craft high-fidelity materials and hard surface models, from vehicles to weapons. Your expertise ensures every asset is physically accurate, performant, and visually stunning for our players.
Stellar Entertainment is a premier video game development studio with a footprint in the heart of two of Europe’s most thriving gaming hubs: Guildford, UK, and Utrecht, Netherlands. We are a collective of artisans, engineers, and visionaries dedicated to the pursuit of quality and excellence. At Stellar, we believe that games are a holistic experience. It is not just about the mechanics; it is about the perfect balance of what you see, how you play, and—most importantly—how the world makes you feel.
There has never been a more exhilarating time to join our ranks. We are currently embarking on a brand-new, unannounced AAA project that pushes the boundaries of visual fidelity and immersive storytelling. We are looking for a dedicated Hard Surface Artist who is ready to leave their mark on a world-class production.
Job Overview: Hard Surface Artist
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | Stellar Entertainment |
| Position Title | Hard Surface Artist (Mid-Level) |
| Locations | Guildford, UK OR Utrecht, Netherlands |
| Employment Type | Full-Time, Permanent |
| Work Model | Hybrid (3 Days On-Site / 2 Days Remote) |
| Salary Range | £45,000 – £65,000 / €48,000 – €68,000 (Commensurate with experience) |
| Department | Art |
| Project Status | New Unannounced AAA IP |
The Role: Architect of the Machine
As a Hard Surface Artist at Stellar Entertainment, you will be a vital member of our Art department, working directly alongside our Lead Hard Surface Artist. This is a mid-level role designed for a professional who has found their footing in the industry and is eager to scale their skills within a high-performance AAA environment.
Your mission is to breathe life into our game world by crafting high-fidelity assets that range from complex vehicles and specialized weaponry to intricate environmental props and grand architectural elements. You won’t just be making “models”; you will be defining the mechanical language of our project, ensuring every bolt, plate, and engine part feels grounded, functional, and visually spectacular.
Key Responsibilities & Professional Expectations
1. High-Fidelity Asset Creation
- Modeling Mastery: Create exceptional high and low-poly models for weapons, vehicles, props, and structural assets. You will be expected to maintain a high standard of aesthetic quality while adhering to technical constraints.
- Optimization: Produce clean, professional-grade topology and UV layouts. Your assets must be optimized for real-time performance without sacrificing the visual “wow” factor.
- PBR Texturing: Author physically accurate texture sets using industry-standard tools (Substance Suite). You will ensure that materials—from weathered steel to polished chrome—react realistically to our lighting systems.
2. Collaborative Workflow & Integration
- From Concept to Engine: Work from detailed concept art and reference material to translate 2D designs into 3D reality. You will integrate these assets directly into the game engine and iterate based on feedback from Art Directors and Leads.
- Cross-Departmental Synergy: Collaborate with the Environment, Character, and Technical Art teams to ensure that hard surface assets sit seamlessly within the broader world and function correctly with animation and physics systems.
- Documentation & Standards: Contribute to the creation and maintenance of art style guides and pipeline documentation. You will help uphold the “visual bar” for the entire project.
3. Proactive Problem Solving
- Reviews & Feedback: Actively participate in art reviews. We value an artist who can offer constructive insight to peers and who views feedback as a tool for professional growth.
- Technical Troubleshooting: Identify potential technical or artistic bottlenecks early in the production cycle and propose creative, efficient solutions.
Candidate Requirements
Essential Industry Experience
- Proven Track Record: Solid experience in the games industry specifically as a Hard Surface Artist. You must have at least one shipped title on your CV.
- The Portfolio: We want to see a strong portfolio that demonstrates a mastery of mechanical forms, material definition, and a deep understanding of how things are built. Your portfolio should showcase your process—from high-poly sculpts to the final, optimized in-engine asset.
Technical Proficiencies
- Core Toolset: Professional proficiency in Blender, Substance Painter, and Substance Designer.
- Engine Knowledge: Strong familiarity with Unreal Engine workflows.
- Modern Techniques: A confident grasp of the mid-poly workflow, including baking, ID masking, and efficient asset preparation for real-time pipelines.
The “Bonus” Skills
- AAA Pedigree: Experience working on high-budget console or PC titles.
- Procedural Workflows: Familiarity with Houdini or other procedural modeling techniques.
- Specialized Tools: Knowledge of Marmoset Toolbag for high-quality baking and asset presentation.
- Photogrammetry: Experience with photogrammetry pipelines for ultra-realistic texture and geometry capture.
Global Benefits & Studio Culture
We believe that our artists do their best work when they are supported, inspired, and rested. Stellar Entertainment offers a comprehensive benefits package tailored to our UK and NL locations.
For All Our Colleagues:
- Hybrid Working: We believe in the power of in-person collaboration, operating a 3-day on-site model to foster creativity while respecting personal flexibility.
- International Impact: Work on high-profile AAA projects that reach a global audience.
- Cutting-Edge Tech: Access to the latest hardware and dev kits to ensure your tools never bottleneck your creativity.
- Financial Incentives: Participation in our discretionary bonus scheme.
Location-Specific Perks (UK):
- Health & Wellness: Private Healthcare Plan (including Dental/Eye care), Life Assurance, and an Employee Assistance Programme for mental health and wellness support.
- Future Security: Competitive Pension Plan and a Holiday Accrual Scheme.
- Social Pulse: Regular team incentives, studio social events, and a well-stocked snack cupboard.
Location-Specific Perks (NL):
- Financial Advantages: 13th-month salary scheme (Vakantiegeld) and competitive holiday allowances.
- Work-Life Balance: A guaranteed Christmas Shutdown to ensure you spend the holidays with loved ones.
- The Utrecht Office: A central, vibrant workspace in one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful cities, complete with social events and international travel opportunities to our Guildford studio.
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Why Hard Surface Art at Stellar Entertainment?
In many projects, hard surface art is relegated to the background. At Stellar Entertainment, the mechanical and architectural world is a character in its own right. Because we are building an unannounced AAA IP, you have the opportunity to help define the visual language of a brand-new universe. You will be encouraged to experiment, innovate, and push the limits of what real-time hard surface art can achieve.
How to Apply
If you have a passion for the mechanical, a meticulous eye for detail, and a desire to work on the next generation of AAA gaming, we want to see your work.
1. Please include with your application:
2. Updated CV: Highlighting your shipped titles and industry experience.
3. Portfolio Link: Highlighting your best hard surface work and process breakdowns.
Stellar Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.