Senior Technical Artist & UE Generalist

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Technical Artist & Unreal Engine Generalist with a technical understanding of Metahumans, motion capture systems, high-end rendering, Blueprints, and project structuring in Unreal Engine.

The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of hands-on experience in Unreal Engine, with expertise in troubleshooting engine bugs, trouble shooting Metahuman issues, and rendering workflows. They should know the 3D character creation process (both traditional and Metahuman-based), knowledge of Perforce-based workflows, and have experience with VFX in Unreal Engine.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Key Responsibilities:

Unreal Engine Technical Specialist

• Troubleshoot Unreal Engine bugs, Metahuman issues, and technical pipeline challenges.
• Manage large-scale project structures in Unreal Engine, ensuring workflows for cinematics and large data ingestion.
• Optimize real-time rendering quality using Lumen, Nanite, ray tracing, path tracing, and console commands to achieve the highest fidelity.
• Creating simulations in Houdini and managing the import process into Unreal Engine for real-time and offline rendering.
• Advanced Blueprint scripting to create tools, automation solutions, and procedural workflows.
• Manage file transfers, version control, and pipeline integration with Perforce.

Motion Capture & Retargeting

• Work with motion capture systems (Vicon, Xsens, OptiTrack, Move.AI, Rokoko, etc.).
• Work on-set for motion capture shoots, ensuring best practices for calibration, actor setup, prop tracking, and capture quality.
• Assist with mocap data retargeting, animation blending, and integration into Unreal Engine’s animation system and Metahuman rigs.

Character Creation & Rigging

• Traditional Character Pipeline:
• Strong expertise in DCC tools (Blender, Maya, ZBrush, Substance, etc.) for modeling, texturing, rigging, skinning, and character setup.
• Knowledge of weight painting, deformation, topology, and physics-based simulations, binding, skin asset management, and retargeting techniques in Unreal Engine.
• Metahumans & Custom Metahumans:
• Experience with Metahuman Creator, Metahuman Animator, and custom Metahuman modifications.
• Ability to modify facial rigs, implement custom shaders, and optimize Metahuman LODs for production use.

VFX & Unreal Engine Effects

• Strong understanding of Niagara, VDBs, and VFX in Unreal Engine.
• Integrate and optimize complex particle systems for high-end cinematic visuals.
• Procedural effects, shader development, and physics simulations.

Perforce & Project Structuring

• Expert-level understanding of Perforce workflows for structured asset management, version control, and efficient project structuring.
• Ability to set up, maintain, and optimize Unreal Engine projects with large amounts of cinematic data.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with Unreal Engine in a technical role.
• Strong expertise in Metahumans, familiarity with motion capture systems, motion capture retargeting, and animation workflows.
• Deep understanding of character creation workflows, including both traditional DCC pipelines and Custom Metahuman development.
• Advanced Blueprint scripting knowledge for workflow automation and tool development.
• Knowledge of Unreal Engine’s rendering pipeline and how to maximize visual quality.
• Highly organized, with experience handling large-scale cinematic project structuring and data ingestion.
• Strong proficiency in Perforce and other version control systems.
• Problem-solving mindset, able to debug complex technical issues in motion capture, animation, Unreal Engine bugs, rendering, and pipeline integration.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonus Skills:

• Experience with VP pipelines and real-time LED volume setups.
• Proficiency in Houdini for procedural workflows and simulation-based effects.
• Experience using iClone, Character Creator 4 (CC4), or Marvelous Designer for character workflows.
• Strong knowledge of pipeline automation, Python scripting, and procedural asset generation.
• Expertise in blendshape creation, custom facial animation workflows, and real-time facial rigging solutions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What We Offer:

• A dynamic work environment that encourages innovation and creativity.

• Opportunities to work on high-quality animated films and cinematic projects.

• Collaboration with a talented team of animators, artists, and technical experts.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To Apply:

Please send your CV, portfolio, and relevant work examples to: careers@piomotion.com.