Animation Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

As a Principal Environment Concept Artist at Cloud Chamber, you will join our talented development team to help shape the foundational visual DNA of our project. You will collaborate with a passionate group of game developers and be responsible for crafting high-fidelity environment concepts that support deep systems architecture and breathtaking aesthetics, ultimately bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.

What You'll Do:

• Set the visual benchmark and North Star for environment art, ensuring the most challenging spaces meet the project's high-fidelity goals.
• Deliver high-fidelity concept art, with sufficient detail and clarity, that will serve as the definitive reference for the Environment team to execute upon, without ambiguity, and build gameplay spaces. 
• Proactively identify and resolve complex visual or pipeline bottlenecks before they impact production.
• Bridge the gap between Art, Narrative, and Design to ensure environmental concepts support deep systems architecture and gameplay.
• Act as a Force Multiplier by coaching Senior and Mid-level artists, fostering a culture of furthering education and craftsmanship, giving and receiving constructive feedback in an empathetic way. 
• Ensure all concept workflows are optimized for steady iteration and seamless 3D implementation.
• Continuously explore and propose visual innovations that evolve the Art Direction while staying within the established project constraints.
• Brainstorm ideas for gameplay locations with Design and Art teams.
• Visualize possibilities for environmental storytelling.
• Storyboard as needed to clarify concepts and pitches.
• Create key marketing art and assets.

What We'll Do Together:

At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across Design, Art, Narrative, and Engineering teams to ensure environmental concepts support both the narrative "look and feel" and functional gameplay requirements. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles, bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical constraints.

Skills & Experiences:

• 7+ years of experience in game development.
• Degree in Fine Art or related experience.
• Shipped at least one, full cycle,  AAA title in the role of concept artist. 
• Superior ability to highlight gameplay possibilities in environment concepts while maintaining a sense of architectural coherence and adherence to traditional rules of city planning and layout. 
• Able to quickly iterate on ideas visually, graciously give and receive constructive feedback, and take direction well.
• Stylistically versatile, able to faithfully recreate elements of popular and commercial art from multiple eras, and innovate on new ideas. 
• Fluent in 2D editing/illustration packages such as Illustrator, Photoshop.
• BONUS: Fluent with 3D modeling and animation packages such as Maya, 3ds Max, etc

Who You Are:

• A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
• A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
• A persistent and self-motivated person with a proactive mindset.
• Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
• An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
• Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
• A strong owner of your tasks, who strives to drive their work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
• Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:

At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.

For candidates located in Quebec:
This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).

#LI-Hybrid

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,200 and $182,360 per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.