Refactor Games
Senior Environment Artist – Unreal Engine 5 (Sports / Action / Simulation Games)
Refactor Games, Santa Monica, CA, US, 90403
We’re looking for a Senior Environment Artist to create high-quality, realistic environments for a large-scale AAA game in Unreal Engine 5. The focus is on sports, action, and simulation worlds—stadiums, arenas, training facilities, crowds, and broadcast-inspired presentation layers—delivered with a balance of realism and readability.
You’ll be responsible for owning environment assets from blockout through polish, guiding junior artists, and ensuring technical performance without sacrificing visual fidelity.
- Building realistic 3D environments including stadiums, arenas, fields, tunnels, locker rooms, and surrounding spaces
- Designing props, crowd assets, and environmental storytelling details that enhance authenticity
- Creating modular environment kits that scale across multiple locations and levels
- Working with art direction to define visual style and mood for sports and simulation settings
- Collaborating with level designers to align gameplay readability with environmental fidelity
- Optimizing assets for performance and streaming in Unreal Engine 5 (Nanite, Lumen, LODs)
- Reviewing and mentoring junior environment artists, setting quality standards
- Integrating materials, lighting, and VFX to ensure cohesive presentation
- 5+ years of environment art experience in 3D games
- At least 1 shipped 3D game (sports, action, or simulation strongly preferred)
- Proficiency with Unreal Engine 5, including Nanite workflows, lighting, and optimization
- Expertise in Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, or equivalent for modeling and UV work
- Strong texturing skills in Substance Painter/Designer, Photoshop, or similar tools
- Solid understanding of PBR materials, lighting, and environment composition
- Ability to balance real-world accuracy with gameplay readability
- Experience building stadiums, sports arenas, or large-scale crowds
- Knowledge of real-time broadcast presentation aesthetics (camera angles, signage, lighting)
- Familiarity with Houdini for procedural workflows or crowd generation
- Passion for soccer or sports culture
This is a senior, hands-on art role: you’ll own major parts of the environment pipeline, set quality benchmarks, and ensure players feel immersed in authentic, high-energy sports worlds.