Principal Environment Modeling Artist – Temp (SFD / Cinematics)

Blizzard Entertainment • Irvine, CA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Blizzard Entertainment’s award-winning Cinematics Department is looking for a well-rounded 3D Principal Environment Modeling Artist to join our team. We’re looking for an artist who is knowledgeable of Blizzard’s varying styles and be capable of pivoting between them artistically. The ideal candidate enjoys working within a small team environment and is eager to collaborate with other passionate artists. While we’re looking for artists who are knowledgeable of Blizzard’s IPs, we’re equally excited for you to bring your own new unique style, interests, and workflows.
This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.
This is roughly a 12-month temporary position.

Requirements

• 13+ years of feature film/VFX/Game Cinematic experience as an environment modeler
• Experience using current animation programs, such as Maya, Zbrush/Mudbox
• Efficient generating UVs and topology as well as LOD decimation and map baking
• Capable of kit-bashing and creating compositionally appealing set dressing arrangements
• Understand current animation/VFX pipelines with a focus on Modeling, Previs, Layout, Surfacing and FX
• Effective design and compositional skills with attention to scale, lighting and set layout
• Self-motivated, strong communication skills and a team-player
• Possess a positive attitude while juggling multiple tasks and requests in a fast-paced collaborative environment
• Comfortable receiving artistic critiques and feedback on a professional level

Nice To Haves

• Experience using Unreal Engine, SpeedTree, Quixel Megascans, Marvelous Designer, Houdini, RizomUV, Gaea/World Machine, Substance Painter, Blender, 3DsMax, Photoshop, Renderman, Redshift
• Skilled with texturing/shading game assets in a PBR real-time pipeline
• Talent for concept modeling, texturing, and lighting entire scenes for Look Dev
• Solid understanding of architecture, camera lensing, composition, and scale
• Strong foundation in the traditional arts
• Experience rendering with Renderman/Redshift or equivalent
• Familiarity with the Blizzard IP’s and associated lore

Responsibilities

• Able to create epic environmental assets, both stylized and hyper-realistic, ranging from hard-surface vehicles and props to organic assets, and entire indoor or outdoor terrains or sets
• Work seamlessly with up and downstream departments to deliver AAA quality assets on time and within our various pipeline requirements
• Capable to interpret artistic direction with ease, with or without concept art
• Maintain the production schedule and/or communicate any relevant deadline concerns

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees