Starform is hiring: Technical Artist in Seattle

At Starform, we’re creating games that connect players in new and exciting ways. Our current project, Metalstorm , is an action-packed, team-based air combat game featuring detailed, accurate aircraft, immersive environments, and fast-paced gameplay. We’re looking for a talented Technical Artist to join our team and elevate the visual experience of Metalstorm while ensuring it performs smoothly on all platforms. As a Technical Artist on the Metalstorm team, you will serve as a critical bridge between our art and engineering departments. Your expertise will enhance the visual quality of the game by creating new assets and improving graphics through shaders, lighting and more. This role requires a creative individual with a strong technical background who can optimize visual elements without compromising performance. Key Responsibilities: Shader Development: Design and implement custom shaders to achieve visually stunning effects while maintaining performance. Lighting and Rendering: Optimize lighting systems and rendering pipelines to create immersive and performant visuals. Environment Creation: Collaborate with the Art team to build and refine game environments that feel vibrant and engaging. Performance Optimization: Analyze and address graphical bottlenecks to ensure smooth performance across devices. Tool Development: Create tools and scripts to streamline the workflow for artists and improve pipeline efficiency. Technical Support: Troubleshoot and resolve art-related technical challenges for the team. Collaborative Innovation: Work closely with designers, engineers, and artists to bring the creative vision to life within technical constraints. Qualifications: Experience: Minimum of 3 years as a Technical Artist in the gaming industry. Proven experience working with Unity and its rendering pipeline (URP). Technical Skills: Proficiency in shader languages (HLSL, GLSL) and shader development. Strong understanding of real-time rendering and lighting techniques. Experience with 3D software (Maya, Blender) and texturing tools (Substance Painter, Photoshop). Knowledge of scripting languages (C#, Python) for tool development. Experience with Unity URP. Soft Skills: Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively. Creative mindset with a passion for pushing visual boundaries. Gets the right things done. Preferred Qualifications: Experience on a Live Services game shipping features, supporting content pipelines.. Working Knowledge of PBR workflows and material setups. Experience with version control systems (we use git). Experience with CPU profiling tools in Unity Knowledge of GPU profiling tools in Unity