Unreal Technical Artist

Swaybox Studios is rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling. As we collaborate with DC Studios/Warner Bros Pictures Animation and Matt Reeves’ 6th and Idaho on a revolutionary new project, you’ll help bring bold creative visions to life through hands‑on artistry and performance. This is your chance to be a part of a production that’s equal parts innovative and unforgettable.

Unreal Technical Artist

Location: New Orleans, LA
Studio: Swaybox Studios
Department: VFX Department
Reports To: VFX Supervisor/Unreal Supervisor
Employment Type: Full Time - This is an ONSITE POSITION in New Orleans

Job Summary:

Swaybox Studios is currently seeking an Unreal Technical Artist to join our dynamic VFX team in bringing visually stunning work to life. This role serves as a bridge between the artistic and technical sides of production, helping ensure our Unreal Engine workflows support the visual quality, performance, and efficiency required for high‑end cinematic work. It requires strong technical expertise, artistic sensibility, problem‑solving skills, and a collaborative mindset.

The Unreal Technical Artist will work hands‑on within Unreal Engine to support content integration, lighting, rendering, materials, shaders, real‑time compositing, and performance optimization. This person will collaborate closely with the VFX Supervisor, Unreal Supervisor, CG artists, and TD team to solve technical and creative challenges while maintaining the unique visual aesthetic of the film. They will also play an important role in developing and refining Unreal workflows, troubleshooting production issues, and helping artists work effectively within the engine.

This is a perfect position for a Technical Artist who is passionate about combining artistry and technology to push cinematic quality and hybrid visual storytelling.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work hands‑on within Unreal Engine to support the creation, integration, lighting, rendering, and optimization of high‑quality assets and environments for cinematic production.
• Collaborate with the VFX Supervisor, Unreal Supervisor, CG artists, and TDs to develop technical solutions that support the creative and production goals of the film.
• Develop and maintain Unreal Engine tools and workflows utilizing Blueprints and other engine‑based systems to improve artist efficiency and production consistency.
• Create and optimize shaders, materials, assets, and scenes within Unreal Engine, using profiling and performance analysis tools to identify bottlenecks and maintain visual quality while ensuring efficient render performance.
• Support real‑time compositing and cinematic rendering workflows, including Unreal Composure, ACES/OCIO color management, and HDR rendering.
• Support the integration and optimization of assets created in industry‑standard DCC applications such as Maya, Rhino3D, Blender, Substance, Mari, and Photoshop.
• Troubleshoot technical art and workflow challenges, collaborating with artists and TDs to develop scalable solutions and identify opportunities for pipeline and tool improvements.
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation for Unreal tools, workflows, best practices, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Communicate technical issues, requirements, and solutions clearly to both technical and non‑technical team members.
• Research and evaluate new Unreal Engine features, tools, and techniques that may improve production efficiency or visual quality, while sharing knowledge and providing technical guidance to other artists as needed.
• Excel in a fast‑paced environment where priorities can shift quickly, demonstrating exceptional organization, flexibility, and the ability to maintain quality amid evolving creative and technical requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of…