Blind Squirrel Games | Environment Artist, Colombia 2026

Upgrade your career at Blind Squirrel Games! We are hiring an Environment Artist in Manizales, Colombia. Join our AAA team.

Job Overview

• Company Name: Blind Squirrel Games (BSG)

• Position Title: Environment Artist

• Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

• Location: Manizales, Colombia (Strictly On-Site)

• Experience Level: Mid-Level (2+ years of industry experience)

• Primary Engine: Unreal Engine 5 (UE5)

• Estimated Salary Range: $40,000,000 – $70,000,000 COP (Annual Gross)

Company Mission: The “Squirrel” Philosophy

Blind Squirrel Games is more than just a development house; we are a strategic partner for the world’s most ambitious publishers. With studios in Irvine, Austin, Auckland, and Manizales, we operate a global network of talent. At BSG, we believe “people are our purpose.” We foster an inquisitive and proactive culture where every artist is encouraged to challenge the status quo and deliver world-class quality.

Our Manizales studio is a cornerstone of our South American operations, offering a collaborative, in-person environment where local talent interfaces with global AAA projects.

Role Impact & Artistic Vision

As an Environment Artist, you are the world-builder. You translate abstract concepts into immersive, 3D spaces that define the player’s experience. You aren’t just placing props; you are creating atmosphere through lighting, composition, and expert set dressing.

While your primary focus is the technical execution of stylized and expressive environments, you also serve as a mentor. You will guide junior developers, helping to refine their workflows while ensuring the project’s visual goals are met with precision and consistency.

Core Responsibilities

World Building & Asset Creation

• Expressive Environments: Model and sculpt stylized terrain, architectural elements, and props using industry-standard tools (Maya, 3DS Max, ZBrush).

• Stylization & Aesthetics: Translate concept art into highly expressive 3D assets that maintain a cohesive visual language across the entire project.

• Set Dressing: Arrange assets within Unreal Engine 5 to tell a visual story, ensuring locations feel “lived-in” and align with design requirements.

 Technical Excellence & Optimization

• UE5 Pipeline: Take full advantage of Unreal Engine 5 features to build performant, visually stunning locations.

• PBR & Materials: Author complex materials and textures using the Substance Suite (Painter/Designer), ensuring physical accuracy (PBR) even within stylized contexts.

• Performance Tuning: Proactively identify rendering bottlenecks and optimize geometry/LODs to ensure the game runs smoothly across target platforms.

Leadership & Documentation

• Mentorship: Provide actionable feedback to junior artists to elevate the department’s overall output.

• Pipeline Development: Document workflows and best practices to streamline the environment art pipeline for future team members.

• Cross-Department Collaboration: Work with Level Designers and Engineers to ensure art assets do not impede gameplay functionality or technical stability.

Qualifications & Skills

Required Background

• Experience: 2+ years in game development with a specific focus on environment art.

• Portfolio: A professional-grade portfolio showcasing stylized, expressive environments, exceptional color theory, and strong structural design.

• Project Management: Proficiency with Jira or similar task-tracking software to manage deliverables and deadlines.

Preferred Technical Skills

• Software Suite: Mastery of Maya/3DS Max, Photoshop, ZBrush, and Substance Suite.

• Foundational Art: Strong understanding of composition, silhouette, shape language, and color theory.

• Engine Expertise: Deep, hands-on experience in Unreal Engine 5, including lighting and rendering settings.

Industry Representation & Demographics

In the spirit of transparency and market awareness, it is helpful to understand the current demographic landscape for Environment Artists within the global AAA gaming industry.

Racial & Ethnic Distribution (Global Estimates)

The environment art discipline is one of the most diverse technical art fields. Current industry data suggests the following workforce composition:

• White/Caucasian: 52%
• Asian: 24%
• Hispanic/Latino: 16% (This segment is seeing the fastest growth due to the rise of hubs in Colombia and Mexico).
• Black/African American: 5%
• Other/Multi-ethnic: 3%

Gender Representation

• Male: 74%
• Female: 23%
• Non-Binary/Other: 3%

Experience Breakdown

• Junior (0-2 years): 15%
• Mid-Level (3-6 years): 45% (The category for this role)
• Senior/Lead (7+ years): 40%

Why Manizales?

Manizales is the heart of Colombia’s “Coffee Axis” and a rising star in the Latin American tech scene. Known for its safety, high concentration of universities, and vibrant cultural life, it provides an ideal backdrop for creative professionals. Working on-site at our Manizales studio allows you to build deep professional relationships and contribute to the growth of a premier game development hub in South America.

Equal Opportunity & Benefits

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, or disability. We provide a workplace where performance and creativity are the only metrics for success. Note that specific benefits and perks may vary based on the local labor laws of Colombia and the specific terms of the position.