Materials Artist

Frontier Developments plc; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned independent video game developer in Cambridge seeks a Materials Artist to create visually stunning materials and collaborate with teams to develop engaging gaming experiences. Candidates should have extensive knowledge of Substance Designer, solid texturing skills, and experience in a full game production cycle. The role offers a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive environment focused on wellbeing.

Benefits

Success-based annual bonus

Share option schemes

Private family healthcare

Flexitime working hours

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

In-house subsidised catering

Cycle to Work scheme

Free bike servicing

Social activities and events

Qualifications

• Experience of at least one full game production cycle.
• Ability to appreciate, respond to and provide constructive critique.
• Strong observational skills to translate reference into designer materials.

Responsibilities

• Create complex, editable and visually stunning materials.
• Curate materials for landscapes and characters using Substance Designer.
• Maintain consistent high-quality materials on projects.
• Build custom tools in Substance Designer to improve functionality.

Skills

Modern texturing/surfacing systems

Substance Designer

Substance Painter

3D authoring software (Maya)

Real-time rendering

Python or other scripting languages

Shader creation

Mentoring and coaching

Job description

# Materials ArtistFrontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.*This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.*We’re looking for a Materials Artist to bring a solid understanding of modern texturing/surfacing systems to Frontier’s projects. Working not only alongside members of the Materials team, but also Concept Artists and Art Directors to help push and unify the look of Frontier’s wide catalogue of titles.The Materials Artist will utilise artistic vision alongside a technical mindset to identify short term developmental challenges. They will thrive within a collaborative, cross disciplinary environment and they will be comfortable applying keen visual skills to the wide range of artistic styles employed by Frontier's catalogue of games.* Use procedural techniques to create complex, editable and visually stunning materials.* Curate materials across all development areas, ranging from landscapes to characters using Substance Designer.* Update and maintain our Substance Designer and Painter Libraries.* Balance visual quality and performance on projects.* Work with Art and Technical teams to maintain consistent high-quality materials throughout our games.* Build custom tools and generators in Substance Designer to help improve functionality, speed, and visual quality across both Materials and Art teams.* Experience of at least one full game production cycle.* Ability to appreciate, respond to and provide constructive critique.* Strong observational skills and ability to translate reference into designer materials.* Experience working collaboratively as part of a cross disciplinary team.* Extensive knowledge of Substance Designer.* Solid knowledge of Substance Painter.* Solid understanding of physically based shading and rendering.* Production experience with 3D authoring software (Maya).* Experience with real-time rendering.* Experience with Python or other scripting languages.* Experience with shader creation and lighting.* Skills and experience in mentoring and coaching more junior team members.**WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU**You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.For queries, please email: [e-mail]* We would love to see a great portfolio with all of your best work. Make sure that the work in your portfolio is a true reflection of your abilities – be it art, iconography, clever solutions to tricky design issues or code examples to solve complex issues.* When showing work, make sure it is clear to see what your personal involvement was. At the end of the day, we are hiring you, not your team.