Studio Technical Art Director

343 Industries is the developer of the blockbuster Halo series of video games. As part of Xbox Game Studios, the Halo franchise encompasses games, television series, novels, comics, licensed collectibles, apparel and more. We are looking for new Spartans to join our team to build the next generation of games and experiences in our award-winning sci-fi universe. Do you understand modern console/PC games and have experience with live service games? Do you closely collaborate with teams to drive inspiring, cohesive gameplay experiences? Are you interested in Halo and want to preserve what makes it uniquewhile brimming with ideas to evolve an experience that millions of players love? If so, the Halo team would love to speak with you about becoming our next Studio Technical Art Director!

The Studio Technical Art Director is responsible for managing a high-performing art organization focused on delivering technical solutions to creative problems. You will work across Design, Art, and Engineering teams identify challenges, communicate your vision, and implement solutions that further the craft of game development. The Studio Technical Art Director will report directly to the Studio Art Director. Roles at our studio are flexible, and you can work from home up to two days a week (Thursdays and Fridays) in this role.

Microsofts mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching, mentorship, feedback, and training to 343 technical artists and designers on asset creation best practices.

• Serve as the liaison between Design, Art, and Engineering teams by communicating artistic goals and technical practicalities in a way that is relatable to both audiences.

• Collaborate with the Studio Director of Technology and other leaders on technical decision making, tech platform/pipeline needs, and other R&D efforts.

• Actively participate in negotiations between teams and align goals to ensure content is meeting technical requirements while maintaining quality, polish, and performance goals.

• Define technical art best practices that cultivate a healthy art culture that is inclusive, collaborative, player focused, and consistent in quality.

• Partner with Production teams to develop technical art leaders for each product team.

• Work across studio art, engineering, business, and legal teams to identify and implement technology solutions that increase iteration speed and/or push the technical bar.

• Distill complex needs into concise actions or requirement that scale across studio needs.

• Consult with other technical artists on their workload and enable them to identify solutions, efficiencies, and tools needed to address challenges.

• Increase the efficiency of the Technical Artists by networking with other senior leaders across studios to identify best practices and new methodologies.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Design, Technical Art, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 6+ years experience in art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment.

• OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Graphic Design, Digital Arts, Technical Art, Game Design, or related field AND 4+ years technical art or industry-related design experience

• OR equivalent experience.

• 4+ years of experience on related software and packages (e.g., Maya, 3DS Max, Photoshop/Adobe suite, Mental Ray, Substance Designer/Painter/Zbrush, SideFX Houdini, After Effects, Unity, Softimage).

• 4+ years of experience using game engines (e.g., Unreal), programming languages (e.g. python, C#, C++, or equivalent languages).

• 4+ years of people management experience (e.g., serving as a Technical Art Director, Design Director, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or Certificate in Design, Fine Arts, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Communications or related art field AND 12+ years experience art design or a related art field working on computer games or entertainment.

• OR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Graphic Design, Digital Arts, Technical Art, Game Design, or related field AND 8+ years technical art or industry-related design experience

• OR equivalent experience.

• 8+ years knowledge of game engines (e.g., Unreal), programming languages (e.g. python, C#, C++, or equivalent languages).

• 8+ years of experience on related software and packages (e.g., Maya, 3DS Max, Photoshop/Adobe suite, Mental Ray, Substance Designer/Painter/Zbrush, SideFX Houdini, After Effects, Unity, Softimage).

• 8+ years people management experience (e.g., serving as a Technical Art Director, Design Director, etc.).

• Experience applying machine learning and/or generative AI to tech art workflows.

Technical Art M5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $133,600 - $256,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $173,200 - $282,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: ~~~

#GamingJobs #343Careers

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (~~~) .