Experienced Technical Artist

Cast Iron Games; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 35,000 - GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic game development studio in Wakefield is seeking an Experienced Technical Artist to enhance art pipelines and solve technical challenges. You will collaborate with teams to optimize visuals and workflows for cross-platform games. The ideal candidate has experience with technical art as well as proficiency in scripting and game engines. The studio offers a supportive environment with competitive salary and flexible hours. Join the team and contribute to ambitious gaming projects without the pressure of crunch.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible hours

Professional development support

Annual performance bonus

Healthcare Cash plan

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Technical Artist or in a closely related role.
• Experience working on at least one shipped PC or console title.
• Good understanding of modern art pipelines and optimisation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and improvement of technical pipelines.
• Support the evaluation and adoption of new technologies.
• Work closely with Art, Engineering, and Design teams.

Skills

Technical Art

Art pipelines and optimisation

Python scripting

C# for DCC tools

Unreal Engine

Unity pipelines

Shader programming (HLSL)

Communication skills

Tools

Maya

Substance

Job description

Who We Are

At Cast Iron Games, we build technically ambitious games in a calm, focused environment, where every team member has a voice. Based in Tileyard North, we collaborate with high quality partners on high-quality projects, guided by clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.

We’re a young and growing studio, but our team is made up of experienced developers who’ve worked across AAA and independent titles. Together, we’re building a supportive, balanced environment where great work happens without crunch.

The Role

As an Experienced Technical Artist, you’ll support and evolve our art pipelines, tools, and workflows to help our art teams work efficiently and deliver high-quality, performant visuals. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our games look great while meeting technical and performance requirements across platforms.

Working closely with artists and engineers, you’ll help solve technical challenges, optimise content, and improve workflows. This is a hands‑on role suited to someone who enjoys problem‑solving, clear communication, and working across disciplines to enable great creative outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and improvement of technical pipelines, tools, and workflows for artists and projects across the studio.
• Identify opportunities to improve art workflows, visual quality, and efficiency.
• Profile and implement solutions to improve performance and optimisation of art assets while respecting artistic intent and performance budgets.
• Support the evaluation and adoption of new technologies and techniques that could benefit the game.
• Create and maintain clear, accessible documentation for tools, pipelines, and workflows.
• Work closely with Art, Engineering, and Design teams to help resolve technical challenges and blockers.
• Support the implementation of new techniques and workflows within the art team.
• Be willing to contribute beyond a core specialism when required to support studio and project needs.

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• Proven experience as a Technical Artist or in a closely related role.
• Experience working on at least one shipped PC or console title.
• Good understanding of modern art pipelines and optimisation techniques.
• Practical scripting experience using Python and/or C# for DCC tools such as Maya or Substance.
• Working knowledge of Unreal Engine (materials, Blueprints) or Unity pipelines.
• Experience with shaders (HLSL), PBR materials, and basic performance profiling.
• Familiarity with lighting, VFX, and post‑processing workflows.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with both technical and non‑technical teammates.
• A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset and a willingness to learn and adapt.

Bonus Points

• Experience supporting optimisation across multiple platforms (e.g. PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC).
• Experience working within Agile or similar production workflows.
• A portfolio or examples demonstrating technical art contributions, such as tools, shaders, pipelines, or optimisation work.
• Interest in growing technical expertise and contributing to shared best practices within a team.

Why Cast Iron Games

• A people‑first studio with a clear focus on craft, clarity, and collaboration
• A high‑trust team where experience is valued and voices are heard
• A respectful, experienced team with a strong engineering culture
• The opportunity to ship performance‑optimised, cross‑platform games you’re proud of
• Projects that offer real variety. Different game engines, new challenges, constant growth
• Creative surroundings at Tileyard North, with a supportive creative community
• Competitive salary, flexible hours and professional development support
• Opportunities to lead with clarity, autonomy, and real impact
• No crunch. No egos. Just good code, good people and good games

What to Expect / Key Benefits

• Start your day any time between 8:00am and 10:00am
• 35 working hours per week with a 1‑hour lunch break (with the opportunity to flex down to 30 minutes or up to 2 hours)
• 25 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday
• 1 day leave for your birthday and 1 day leave if you’re moving house
• Length of service increases are 1 day per year of service up to maximum of 8 additional days
• Up to 8 days discretionary annual leave during our end of year break
• Potential for annual performance bonus
• Free breakfast options, juice, hot drinks and fruit
• Employee referral bonus (up to £2000!)
• Group Life Assurance – 4 x annual salary payable to nominated beneficiaries through an expression of wishes form.
• Income Protection – covers you up for up to 50% of monthly salary for 2 years (after a 26 week deferred period, i.e. when SSP runs out)
• Critical Illness Cover – lump sum of 1 x annual salary on diagnosis of a critical illness
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• EV & Hybrid Car Scheme
• Tech Purchase Scheme – split the cost of Tech or Home electronics through salary deduction, interest free
• Healthcare Cash plan – claim back the cost of everyday healthcare, dental, physio, chiropractor, opticians, podiatry etc
• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality
• Reward Gateway with cashback and discounts on 900+ retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme including Virtual GP service
• Wellbeing Centre based on Mind, Move, Munch and Money