Lead Environment Artist

Job Summary:

ILM's Interactive team advances the studio's legacy of innovation by developing original immersive experiences across virtual reality, augmented reality and location-based platforms. Known for blending best-in-class visuals, sound and narrative, the team has delivered award-winning projects such as What If...? - An Immersive Story, Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series and the Oscar-winning CARNE y ARENA. Our work continues to push the boundaries of immersive entertainment and redefine how audiences engage with story.

We are seeking a Lead Environment Artist who reflects the innovative spirit, creative talent, production excellence, and passion for great storytelling that defines ILM.

What You'll Do

• Translate 2D concepts and art direction into expansive 3D environments that maintain visual consistency and high fidelity across the entire project.

• Lead a team of environment artists through regular feedback and reviews to ensure the team is performing at a world‑class level.

• World building of levels with a multitude of varying styles and an ability to be flexible to design changes.

• Define and optimize environment art workflows, including modular building systems, photogrammetry integration, and procedural world‑building tools.

• Create benchmark assets that set the quality bar for internal artists and external outsourcing partners.

• Partner with Level Designers to ensure environments support gameplay flow and with Technical Artists & Engineers to ensure the world runs smoothly within memory and frame‑rate budgets.

• Establish a thorough understanding of the existing tools and pipelines; experiment / champion opportunities for improvement.

• Proactively identify production bottlenecks and technical constraints, finding creative solutions that don't compromise artistic integrity.

• Able to generate art task lists, estimates, schedules, milestones and overall project goals as necessary.

• Actively participate in the QA process to identify and fix bugs.

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of experience in game environment art, with at least one shipped AAA title in a Senior or Lead capacity (or equivalent).

• Expert‑level proficiency in industry‑standard tools like Maya/3ds Max/Blender, ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter/Designer and Quixel Suite.

• Deep knowledge and experience using Unreal Engine 5 (or equivalent game engine) and associated world‑building tools.

• Exceptional understanding of form, shape, structure, and silhouette in regard to modelling.

• Great eye for light, shade, color, and detail in creating texture maps of different material types.

• Strong paint skills, multi‑layered materials and effective texture layout.

• A strong understanding of P  (Physically Based Rendering) workflows, vertex painting, trim sheets, and custom shader creation.

• Collaborative, team‑player attitude: open & receptive to new ideas, constructive criticism, direction and changes.

• Deep knowledge of optimization techniques, including draw‑call management, LOD (Level of Detail) strategies, and texture density.

• The ability to articulate complex visual and technical concepts to both artistic and non‑artistic stakeholders.

* A portfolio / reel submission - including a detailed breakdown of your work in each section - is required with all artist applications.

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco, CA is $150,900 to $193,200 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

About Industrial Light & Magic

Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box‑office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of…