People Can Fly (PCF), an industry-leading independent AAA developer with a 20-year legacy of pushing the boundaries of the action-shooter genre, is seeking a highly skilled Technical Artist to join our Montreal studio. This role is a critical nexus between art, animation, and engineering. You will be tasked with building robust tools, automating complex pipelines, and ensuring visual excellence across an Unannounced 2025 Project. At PCF, we provide a collaborative, “People First” environment where technical innovation is the catalyst for world-class creativity.
Job Overview: Technical Artist
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | People Can Fly (PCF) |
| Position Title | Technical Artist (Artiste technique) |
| Job Type | Full-Time, Permanent |
| Project | Unannounced AAA Project 2025 |
| Primary Location | 405 Av. Ogilvy, Montréal, QC H3N 1M3, Canada |
| Work Model | Remote / Hybrid / On-site (Employee Choice) |
| Department | Tech Art |
| Experience Level | 3+ Years Experience + Shipped AAA Title |
| Language Requirement | Proficiency in English (Global Stakeholder Interaction) |
Estimated Compensation & Financial Benefits
Note: Salary ranges in the Montreal AAA sector are competitive and reflect the candidate’s mastery of automation, shader authoring, and pipeline management.
| Benefit Type | Provision |
| Annual Salary Range | Competitive AAA Industry Standard (Based on Experience) |
| RRSP Matching | 4% Match (100% Vested from Day 1) |
| Insurance Premiums | 100% Employer-Paid (Individual and Family) |
| Medical Reimbursement | 100% reimbursement (up to $1,000 per service/year) |
| Dental Coverage | Full coverage, including major dental procedures |
| Paid Time Off | 20 Vacation Days + 5 Sick Days + Paid Winter Holiday Week |
| Health & Wellness | Free virtual healthcare and mental well-being sessions |
About People Can Fly
Founded in 2002, People Can Fly has defined the shooter genre with iconic titles such as Painkiller, Bulletstorm, Gears of War: Judgment, and Outriders. As a premier Unreal Engine studio, we are currently working on high-profile collaborations like Gears of War: E-Day (with Microsoft) and Project Echo (with KRAFTON), alongside our original internal IP, Lost Rift.
With studios in Poland, the UK, Ireland, the US, and Canada, we offer a truly global environment. Joining PCF Montreal means working alongside industry veterans to build the next generation of visceral, unforgettable action games.
Detailed Job Responsibilities
1. Tool Development & Automation
The core of this role involves creating a friction-less environment for our artists:
- Python Scripting: Write clean, robust, and maintainable Python scripts (utilizing PyQt/PySide) to build tools for Maya and MotionBuilder.
- Pipeline Support: Directly support cross-discipline pipelines, ensuring that data flows seamlessly from DCC tools into the game engine.
- Automation Initiatives: Propose and implement automation pipelines for asset iteration, optimization, retargeting, and procedural workflows.
- Plug-in Development: Build new engine and Maya plug-ins that allow artists to work at scale without sacrificing quality.
2. Shaders, Materials & Rendering
You will be the guardian of visual quality and material integrity:
- Material Creation: Create “final-look” materials for characters, environments, and special effects.
- Shader Debugging: Author and debug complex shaders (HLSL/GLSL), ensuring they align with PBR (Physically Based Rendering) theories.
- Quality & Performance: Research and implement new techniques to improve the visual fidelity of assets while maintaining strict performance targets across all platforms.
- Asset Profiling: Use profiling tools to identify and resolve rendering bottlenecks, ensuring a smooth framerate.
3. Cross-Discipline Collaboration
A Technical Artist at PCF is a consultant and a problem-solver:
- Stakeholder Management: Interface frequently with Leads and Directors, guiding conversations regarding rigging, shaders, and technical workflows.
- Risk Mitigation: Be proactive in highlighting technical risks early in the production cycle and proposing scalable solutions.
- Inter-departmental Liaison: Work closely with Animation, Design, and Engineering to resolve asset-related pipeline issues without the need for constant “hand-holding.”
- Legacy Management: Bridge the gap between legacy assets and modern formats, ensuring consistent quality across the entire project.
4. Mentorship & Documentation
As a Senior-level contributor, you will help grow the collective intelligence of the studio:
- Technical Feedback: Provide constructive feedback to other artists to help them optimize their work.
- Documentation: Create clear, concise documentation for tools and workflows to maintain the studio’s knowledge base.
- Mentoring: Guide junior and mid-level artists in best practices for 3D math, topology, and optimization.
Candidate Qualifications
Required Technical Skills
- Proven Track Record: At least 3 years of industry experience and at least one successfully shipped title (AAA preferred).
- DCC Expertise: Excellent knowledge of Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter/Designer, and Photoshop.
- Scripting Mastery: High proficiency in Python (PyQt/PySide) with a focus on code reusability.
- Engine Experience: A strong portfolio showcasing AAA-quality work inside modern engines (Unreal Engine 4/5, Unity, or high-end proprietary engines).
- Math & Theory: A solid understanding of 3D math, topology best practices, and the technical side of PBR workflows.
Core Competencies
- Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical team members in English.
- Problem Solving: A highly analytical mind capable of debugging logic-heavy scripts and complex asset inheritance issues.
- Self-Sufficiency: The ability to validate pipelines directly in game builds independently.
Preferred (Bonus) Qualifications
- Procedural Tools: Experience with Houdini or advanced MotionBuilder workflows.
- C++ Knowledge: Familiarity with C++ and Maya/OpenMaya plug-in development.
- Simulation Expertise: Knowledge of particle systems, cloth/physics simulations, and modern lighting pipelines.
What We Offer: The PCF Montreal Advantage
Working at People Can Fly Montreal offers more than just a job; it offers a comprehensive lifestyle and career support system.
1. Total Health Security
We believe our employees should never worry about their health costs. We pay 100% of your insurance premiums. Whether it’s a routine dental check-up or a specialized medical service, our plan reimburses up to $1,000 per service annually, covering both you and your dependents.
2. Financial Prosperity
- Instant Vesting: Our 4% RRSP match is yours from Day 1. There is no waiting period to begin building your retirement savings.
- Paid Time Off: In addition to a generous 20-day vacation policy, we offer a mandatory paid week off during the winter holidays to ensure the entire studio can recharge simultaneously.
3. Professional Growth
- Global Impact: Work on some of the world’s most anticipated action titles.
- Remote Flexibility: We offer a hybrid/remote-first approach that respects your personal life and location preferences within Canada.
Application Guidelines
To be considered for the Technical Artist position, please submit:
1. A Professional Resume: Detailing your Python expertise and shipped title history.
2. A Technical Portfolio: Links to videos or breakdowns of tools you’ve built, shaders you’ve authored, or assets you’ve optimized.
3. Language Check: Confirm your proficiency in English, as this role requires regular interaction with our international partners.
People Can Fly hiring Technical Artist, Montréal
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