Technical Artist (Contract) Job at Tbwa Chiat/Day Inc in Costa Mesa

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE JOB
We build Lattice - the foundation for everything we do as a defense technology company. Our engineers are talented, hard-working and above all, motivated by the prospect of seeing their work rapidly deployed on the front lines. Our team is not just building an experiment in waiting - we deploy what we build on the Southern border, Iraq, Ukraine and more.

You will be responsible for bridging the gap between art and programming, ensuring that our game assets are optimally integrated into our game engine without sacrificing artistic vision or exceeding technical limits. You will be producing assets alongside 3D artists and animators and helping to identify areas of improvement in the asset pipeline.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Convert and import CAD models into 3D modeling software, optimizing and refining them for use in our engine
• Guide the production of clean and optimized topology suitable for both high-end rendering and real-time performance
• Work with other technical artists and animators to ensure models meet specifications for movement and interactivity
• Create and maintain asset pipelines, ensuring efficient processing and organization of game assets
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to asset performance and visual fidelity
• Develop and maintain scripts using Python to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency in Blender, Maya and other tools
• Maintain a consistent style under the direction of the Art Director, while also contributing creatively to the overall design of the project

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience as a Technical Artist or similar role within the game development industry
• Expert knowledge in industry-standard 3D modeling and rendering software such as Blender or Maya
• Strong working knowledge of Python tooling for game development workflows and other relevant pipelines
• Strong understanding of game engine requirements and limitations, with experience in a commercial game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot)
• Proficiency in asset optimization techniques for both performance and visual quality
• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• VR or AR development experience and the unique challenges presented by these platforms
• Basic understanding of the animation pipeline and rigging principles
• Knowledge of general military application and authenticity is a plus

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

Anduril is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The Anduril team is made up of incredibly talented and unique individuals, who together are disrupting industry norms by creating new paths towards the future of defense technology. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, Veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process.