Lead Technical Artist - Shaders at Hangar 13

Brighton and Hove, England, United Kingdom

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Gaming, Video GamesIndustries

Requirements

Minimum 7+ years’ experience in the games industry, with at least 2 shipped AAA titles
Proven track record as a Senior or Lead Shader/Material Artist on a large-scale project
Expert-level proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 material editor, shader graph, and rendering pipeline
Strong understanding of PBR workflows, physically-based shading models, and material authoring
Hands-on experience with Lumen, Nanite, and virtual texturing in UE5
Ability to balance high visual fidelity with performance optimization
Strong leadership, mentoring, and cross-discipline collaboration skills
Availability to be onsite at one of the studios (Brighton or Brno) at least 3 days a week

Responsibilities

Define and drive the visual and technical quality bar for all shaders and materials in the project
Establish a shader and material pipeline optimized for both high visual fidelity and real-time performance across platforms
Lead R&D into UE5’s advanced rendering features (Lumen, Nanite, virtual texturing, runtime virtual shadows, etc.) to enhance the project’s material systems
Partner with the Art Director to ensure materials support the game’s overall art direction and style
Create and maintain a library of modular, reusable, and performant shaders and materials
Develop complex materials for characters, environments, weapons, FX integration, and cinematics, working closely with these disciplines to ensure seamless integration across the project
Work with lighting and rendering teams to achieve physically accurate, believable surfaces under dynamic lighting conditions
Optimize materials for memory, draw calls, and runtime performance across platforms
Manage, mentor, and inspire a team of shader/material artists and technical artists
Review work, provide feedback, and set standards for quality and consistency
Collaborate with external partners or outsourcing vendors to ensure materials meet AAA expectations

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Unreal Engine 5Shader GraphMaterial EditorLumenNaniteVirtual TexturingRuntime Virtual ShadowsLook Development

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the location requirement for this role?

The position is based in Brighton or Brno studios, requiring onsite presence at least 3 days a week.

What salary or compensation does this position offer?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What are the key skills required for the Lead Technical Artist role?

Candidates need deep expertise in Unreal Engine 5, including mastery of the material editor, shader graph, Lumen, Nanite, and advanced rendering features, plus 7+ years in games with at least 2 shipped AAA titles.

What is the company culture like at Hangar 13?

Hangar 13 offers a diverse and welcoming environment with talented developers, working as one team across studios on creatively challenging AAA projects.

What makes a strong candidate for this Lead Technical Artist position?

A strong candidate has 7+ years of games industry experience with at least 2 shipped AAA titles, deep UE5 shader expertise, leadership skills to mentor teams, and ability to collaborate with external partners.

Hangar 13

Develops and sells video games

About Hangar 13

Hangar 13 develops video games, focusing on creating unique and immersive experiences for gamers. The company operates in multiple locations, including the US and Europe, and targets both casual and hardcore gamers across various platforms like PC and consoles. Their games are sold through initial purchases, downloadable content, and in-game purchases. What sets Hangar 13 apart from competitors is their multidisciplinary team, which includes experts in animation, art, engineering, and game design, allowing them to produce high-quality games. Their goal is to continuously develop new titles and expand existing ones to grow their market presence and provide engaging gaming experiences.

Brighton, United KingdomHeadquarters

2013Year Founded

M_AND_ACompany Stage

GamingIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Hybrid Work Options

Risks

Rising competition from indie developers threatens Hangar 13's market share.

High development costs could impact Hangar 13's profitability.

Over-reliance on the Mafia franchise may limit creative diversification.

Differentiation

Hangar 13 is known for its innovative and immersive gaming experiences.

The studio attracts visionaries unafraid to explore new gaming territories.

Being part of 2K provides Hangar 13 with substantial resources and industry support.

Upsides

Increased interest in narrative-driven games aligns with Hangar 13's storytelling focus.

Cross-platform play trend supports Hangar 13's diverse platform offerings.

AI integration enhances NPC behavior, benefiting Hangar 13's game development.

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