Job Overview
| Category | Details |
| Role Title | Senior Unreal Artist |
| Company | Planet X |
| Employment Type | Freelance / Contract |
| Location | Remote / [Insert Location if applicable] |
| Reporting To | VP / VFX Supervisor / Producer |
| Primary Focus | Creating high-quality real-time environments and VFX within the creative pipeline. |
About the Role
Planet X is seeking a highly skilled Freelance Senior Unreal Artist to play a pivotal role in our creative pipeline. In this position, you will collaborate closely with our VP, VFX Supervisor, and Producers to push the boundaries of real-time rendering and visual effects.
The ideal candidate is a hybrid talent who combines strong artistic sensibilities—a keen eye for lighting, color, and composition—with deep technical expertise in Unreal Engine. You should be comfortable navigating the bridge between DCC tools (Maya/Blender, ZBrush) and the engine, handling everything from environment layout to technical troubleshooting.
Key Responsibilities
- Immersive Environment Creation: Build, set-dress, and populate detailed virtual worlds using Unreal Engine tools, proprietary assets, and Quixel libraries.
- Lighting & Atmosphere: Execute cinematic lighting using both baked and dynamic workflows. Demonstrate a mastery of PBR materials, shaders, and post-process volumes to achieve photorealistic results.
- Pipeline Optimization: Optimize high-fidelity models, textures, and materials for real-time performance, balancing visual quality with frame-rate budgets (LODs, draw calls, memory budgets).
- Technical Implementation: Utilize Blueprints to implement gameplay or scene logic. Identify and resolve pipeline bottlenecks or technical art issues.
- Collaboration: Partner with Directors and Supervisors to interpret artistic direction and ensure a unified creative vision across all shots and sequences.
Qualifications & Skills
Technical Proficiency:
- Unreal Engine Mastery: Deep understanding of UE5 environment workflows, Lumen/Nanite, material editors, and Blueprints.
- DCC Tools: Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, ZBrush, or Houdini with a proven track record of creating assets for real-time.
- Texturing: Advanced knowledge of Substance Painter/Designer, UV mapping strategies, and high-to-low poly baking workflows.
- Scripting (Bonus): Experience with Python for pipeline automation is a strong plus.
Artistic Fundamentals:
- Strong understanding of color theory, composition, proportion, and real-world lighting physics.
- Ability to interpret concept art and translate it into 3D space accurately.
Professional Attributes:
- A strong portfolio demonstrating high-quality real-time environments and VFX.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot technical blockers independently.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a freelance capacity.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume, cover letter, and a link to your portfolio/reel (ArtStation or website preferred). Please highlight specific examples of real-time optimization and lighting in your work.
