Senior Level Artist

ABOUT THIS POSITION

Digital Extremes is looking for a Senior Level Artist to join our team! In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with the Creative Director, Art Director, Level Design team, and Environment Art team to help shape and execute the artistic and gameplay vision of the project. You’ll ensure that each level delivers on the game’s visual and technical goals while balancing design needs and creative direction.

As a Senior Level Artist, you will champion the artistic integrity of your levels from start to finish, working cross-functionally with various departments. Practical experience in other areas of game development is a plus.

You’ll also support junior Level Artists through mentorship, offering guidance to help them grow professionally and artistically. Additionally, you may assist in scheduling and team coordination, helping to keep production aligned with key narrative and delivery milestones. A strong understanding of both your individual contributions and the broader project vision is key to success in this role.

We’re looking for someone with genuine enthusiasm for video games and strong communication skills. A portfolio is required that demonstrates your expertise in composition, colour theory, architecture, and storytelling, as well as your ability to explain the artistic and gameplay intent behind your work.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follow and, when appropriate, help define the art direction in collaboration with the Creative Director and Art Director
• Take ownership of entire levels from initial concept to final polish, ensuring both artistic vision and gameplay needs are met
• Guide and collaborate with strike teams—small cross-functional groups—providing creative and production leadership to ensure goals are met on time and at quality
• Work closely with Level Design to balance gameplay mechanics and visual storytelling, ensuring a seamless player experience
• Use analytical thinking and defined art sets, props, visual FX, and lighting techniques to design visually dynamic and technically efficient environments that support the level’s narrative and gameplay goals
• Create high-level compositions and proxy models using both 2D and 3D art skills
• Provide mentorship to junior artists and assist with peer reviews, offering actionable feedback to elevate the quality of work across the team
• Collaborate with engineers and designers to ensure optimal integration of assets into the game engine
• Evaluate and improve visual and gameplay aspects of each level through tuning, bug fixing, and playtesting
• Contribute innovative and original ideas toward all aspects of the game’s production and development
• Help coordinate tasks and priorities within the level art team to support milestone planning and ensure delivery
• Participate in feedback loops, giving and receiving critique constructively within the art and design teams
• Stay engaged with the broader project scope to maintain alignment with narrative, design, and technical goals

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Level Artist, with proven success delivering high-quality game environment
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of full-level production and to guide others through the process, ideally in a strike team or multidisciplinary group setting
• Strong understanding of game engine fundamentals, including performance optimization, streaming, and asset integration workflows
• A portfolio showcasing a diverse range of environments and an ability to tell compelling visual stories through composition, staging, and lighting
• Effective mentorship and leadership skills; able to support junior artists and collaborate across departments
• Quick to adapt to new software and pipelines, including proprietary engines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate both artistic and technical goals
• A passion for video games, with a deep appreciation for how environment art contributes to player immersion and gameplay

“Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada at the time of application.”

ABOUT DIGITAL EXTREMES

Founded in 1993 by James Schmalz, Digital Extremes ranks as one of the world's top independent video game development studios. Originating with the co-creation of Epic Games' multi-million unit selling Unreal® franchise including Unreal and Unreal Tournament, Digital Extremes went on to develop Dark Sector®, BioShock® for the PlayStation®3, the BioShock 2 multiplayer campaign, and The Darkness® II. The studio has reached its greatest critical and commercial success with the free-to-play action game, Warframe®, boasting a global community of 75 million registered players on PC, PS4™, PS5™, Xbox One™, Xbox Series X/S™, Nintendo Switch™, and iOS™. The studio's most recently announced project is the much anticipated Soulframe®, an open-world action-fantasy MMORPG title that is currently under development.

Digital Extremes is headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada, and is proud to be selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers.

For more information and exciting news related to Digital Extremes, please visit www.digitalextremes.com.

WHY WORK AT DIGITAL EXTREMES

At Digital Extremes, we don’t just make games - we craft immersive worlds that inspire and connect millions of players around the globe. Our award-winning studio is home to passionate, creative, and collaborative talent who thrive in a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and respect. We offer competitive compensation, industry-leading benefits, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities to grow your career while working on beloved titles like Warframe and the highly anticipated Soulframe. Whether you’re developing cutting-edge gameplay, designing stunning art, or supporting the teams that make it all happen, you’ll be part of a studio where your ideas matter, your contributions are valued, and your work leaves a lasting impact on our community.

Please note, some benefits may be subject to eligibility for employees.

JOIN US

At Digital Extremes, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our people and the respect we show one another. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming, accessible, and supportive environment where everyone can do their best work and feel valued for who they are. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including those from underrepresented communities and people with disabilities. If you require accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, we will work with you to ensure you have the support you need. We truly appreciate your interest in joining our team, and while we may not be able to respond to every application, we will connect directly with candidates moving forward in the process.