External Development Artist - Environment

CONTRACT ROLE

Insomniac Games is seeking a talented External Development Artist (XDev) to oversee the quality and performance of game assets developed by our external vendors. Acting as the first line of quality visual solutions for our external teams, you will review and guide the creation of props and hard surface assets, ensuring they meet the high visual and technical standards of our next-gen AAA titles. This role requires a keen eye for detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to polish or create assets when needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and occasionally create detailed briefs for requested assets from the environment team, ensuring clarity and alignment with project goals.
• Evaluate various phases of asset development from external vendors, providing constructive feedback to maintain visual quality and performance standards.
• Ensures regular communication between the XDev Artists, XDev Manager and production team updating project status and changes.
• Polish vendor-delivered assets as needed to meet in-house quality benchmarks.
• Occasionally create high-quality props and hard surface assets in-house to support project needs.
• Creates game ready assets that align to the art style of specific game.
• Collaborate closely with the environment team and vendors to ensure timely delivery of assets.
• Maintain clear, proactive communication with internal and external stakeholders to streamline workflows.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Experience and Education

• Five plus years of professional experience or training, or an equivalent amount of education and experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of AAA next-gen prop and hard surface asset creation, including the ability to produce them independently.
• Strong eye for visual quality and asset performance optimization for next-gen platforms.
• Experience working with external vendors.
• Collaborate closely with the environment team and vendors to ensure timely delivery of assets.

Skills/Ability

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to provide clear feedback and briefs.
• Exceptional time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Adaptability to pivot quickly in a fast-paced, evolving production environment.
• Collaborative mindset, thriving in a team-oriented setting.
• Proactive over-communicator, ensuring transparency and alignment across teams.
• Self-motivated with a drive to deliver high-quality results.

Computer Skills:

• Working knowledge of Tracking tools Jira/Shotgun/Shotgrid/Flow.
• Strong skills in modeling, baking and UV layout in Maya, Max, or equivalent.
• Strong skills in texture and material creation with Photoshop, Substance Painter, Substance Designer.
• Experience with ZBrush.

Other Skills: Has the ability to create models and shaders for a range of art directions, from photorealistic to stylized. Ability to meet deadlines under tight schedules. Has a strong ability to multitask and self-prioritizing to-do lists. Willingness to receive direction and work closely with a team. Prior experience working with external vendors is required.