Senior Technical Artist, Graphics | Diablo | Albany, NY or Irvine, CA at Activision-Blizzard

Irvine, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

GamingIndustries

Requirements

8+ years of experience in AAA game development as an artist, with a focus on graphics, rendering, and/or shaders
Deep expertise in real-time rendering, shader programming (HLSL/GLSL), and material workflows
Strong experience with Unreal Engine or proprietary AAA engines; comfortable working closely with engine programmers
Proficiency in scripting and tool development (Python, C#, C++)
Strong experience with procedural tools (Houdini, Substance Designer, SpeedTree) and art pipeline integration
Demonstrated success optimizing large-scale game environments and complex VFX for performance across multiple platforms
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, able to guide both technical and non-technical team members

Responsibilities

Develop, optimize, and maintain advanced shaders, materials, lighting workflows, and rendering pipelines tailored to Diablo’s visual style
Architect scalable art pipelines, tools, and automation to streamline content creation for large open worlds, dungeons, and VFX-heavy combat
Partner with engineering to profile and resolve GPU/CPU bottlenecks while preserving artistic intent
Act as the primary liaison between art and engine teams, ensuring that artistic vision aligns with technical constraints
Research new rendering techniques, procedural workflows, and content-generation tools (Houdini, Substance, etc.) to elevate Diablo’s unique gothic atmosphere
Provide technical guidance to mid/junior technical artists and share best practices across the Diablo art team
Define and maintain technical art standards, best practices, and guidelines that scale across the franchise

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

ShadersMaterialsLighting WorkflowsRendering PipelinesArt PipelinesTools DevelopmentAutomationVFXOptimizationProfilingGame Engine Integration

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement for this role?

This role offers a flexible hybrid work week with a mix of remote and on-site days, and you're welcome to work on-site full-time if preferred. Primary studio locations are Albany, NY, and Irvine, CA.

What are the minimum experience and skills required?

Minimum requirements include 8+ years of experience in AAA game development as an artist focused on graphics, rendering, and/or shaders; deep expertise in real-time rendering, shader programming (HLSL/GLSL), and material workflows; strong experience with Unreal Engine or proprietary AAA engines; and proficiency in scripting and tool development (Python, C#, C++).

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the company culture like for this team?

The team emphasizes a culture of open collaboration, continuous feedback, and rapid iteration, with passionate developers working together to shape the Diablo universe.

What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Technical Artist role?

Strong candidates will have 8+ years in AAA game development with expertise in graphics and shaders, experience bridging art and engineering teams, and the ability to provide technical guidance while driving innovation in rendering and pipelines.

Activision-Blizzard

Develops and publishes interactive video games

About Activision-Blizzard

Activision Blizzard develops and publishes video games, creating popular franchises like World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush. Their games are available on various platforms and cater to a wide range of players, from casual mobile users to serious console and PC gamers. The company generates revenue through game sales, in-game purchases, subscriptions for games like World of Warcraft, and advertising through Activision Blizzard Media. They also profit from merchandise and esports events. What sets Activision Blizzard apart from competitors is its focus on high-quality gaming experiences that promote community and social interaction among players. The company's goal is to provide engaging and immersive entertainment that connects gamers worldwide.

Santa Monica, CaliforniaHeadquarters

1979Year Founded

$975MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Entertainment, GamingIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Mental Health Support

Wellness Program

Relocation Assistance

Risks

Employee morale issues due to layoffs could affect productivity and innovation.

Backlash from the Microsoft acquisition may impact game development and community trust.

Loss of key talent to competitors could weaken strategic capabilities.

Differentiation

Activision Blizzard boasts iconic franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

The company excels in cross-platform play, enhancing player engagement and retention.

Activision Blizzard's esports division capitalizes on growing viewership and sponsorships.

Upsides

Microsoft's acquisition could provide resources for innovation and expansion.

Cloud gaming services offer a broader audience without high-end hardware needs.

Augmented reality gaming experiences present new opportunities for franchise expansion.

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