Lead Environment Artist

The Lead Environment Artist is responsible for overseeing the delivery and quality of all environment work across a project. This includes building key assets, reviewing team output, collaborating with other departments, and supporting workflow improvements.

Duties

• Hero Environment Creation: Build detailed, shot-ready environments using modular and custom elements
• Team Management: Guide environment artists in asset delivery, scene build and task planning. Act as the go-to contact for team progress and troubleshooting. Balancing hands-on work with oversight responsibilities
• Quality Control: Review scenes and assets to ensure they meet technical and visual standards
• Scheduling: Coordinate with production to prioritise tasks and manage team bandwidth
• Scene Ownership: Deliver key hero builds or complex layout-ready environments
• Cross-Department Support: Work with layout, lighting, and comp to troubleshoot environment issues
• Pipeline & Tools: Collaborate with pipeline or R&D teams to improve build and layout tools
• Mentorship: Provide feedback, share best practices and support team growth
• Communication: Represent the environment team in reviews and discussions
• Deliver consistent, scalable environments across the show
• Support team performance, problem-solving, and growth
• Improve workflows and maintain high visual standards

Skills, attributes and experience:

• Strong leadership and communication skills across departments
• Advanced knowledge of environment creation and assembly in VFX pipelines
• Expert-level skills in Maya, Houdini, Substance, Mari and scene organisation
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality environments across large sequences
• Experience of using on-set data such as photogrammetry and lidar
• Experience in USD layout and scene referencing systems
• Familiarity with real-time or hybrid layout workflows
• Knowledge of camera projection and DMP techniques
• Ability to scope, spec, or test new environment tools
• Python/MEL scripting or tool-building experience
• Strong time management, ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and escalate delays in a timely manner
• Adaptable to change with the ability to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude 
• Driven to make things better with flexibility to change course when needed 
• Positive energy, focusing on results and having a positive impact on those around you
• Self awareness and an ability to resolve and diffuse problems treating others with kindness and respect
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work well with others
• 8+ years in VFX or a related field