Estimated Salary Range £65,000 – £85,000 GBP (Dependent on Experience + Bonus)
Primary Tech Stack Unreal Engine 5, Houdini, Gaea, Substance Designer
Specialization Terrain, Geology, and Procedural Workflows
Work Model Collaborative Hybrid Environment
The Opportunity: Shaping the Landscapes of Tomorrow
Lighthouse Games is an ambitious AAA studio based in the historic game development hub of Royal Leamington Spa. We are defined by a prestigious pedigree of industry veterans and a relentless drive to build a new best-in-class title. When you join Lighthouse, you aren’t just joining a production line; you are entering a space where you will create the best work of your career. We offer a collaborative, hybrid working environment where you will work alongside some of the most talented minds in the industry to define the future of gaming.
As a Senior Environment Artist, you are a master of the “big picture.” Working closely with the Lead Environment Artist and the broader art team, you will be responsible for ensuring that our game worlds are not just visually stunning, but functionally immersive. You will provide the backdrop for the most memorable moments in our players’ journeys, crafting believable, high-fidelity natural landscapes that feel grounded and ancient.
The Core Mandate: Terrain and Procedural Excellence
This is a highly specialized senior role that demands a blend of artistic vision and technical sophistication. You are expected to be the studio’s expert in large-scale world‑building, with a specific focus on the geological and natural elements that define our game world.
1. Advanced Terrain & Landscape Ownership
You will own the terrain and landscape workflows, moving beyond simple sculpting to sophisticated, data‑driven world building.
* Procedural Mastery: Create and refine complex terrains using heightfield-based workflows in Houdini and Gaea.
* Data‑Driven Art: Generate masks and technical data that drive scalable, believable world‑building across massive open‑world spaces.
* Geological Accuracy: Develop high‑quality environment content with a focus on geology and natural landscapes, blending procedural generation with handcrafted finesse to align with the game’s artistic vision.
2. Technical Tool & Engine Integration
A world is only as good as its implementation. You will leverage the cutting edge of modern game tech to realize the vision.
* The Pipeline: Use Substance Designer to process terrain masks and develop supporting textures that bring life to rocks, soil, and vegetation.
* Unreal Engine Execution: Take point on landscape sculpting within Unreal Engine, setting up complex materials and shaders that respond dynamically to the world around them.
* Optimization: Work closely with Technical Artists and Engineering to ensure our expansive vistas meet strict performance targets without sacrificing visual fidelity.
As a Senior member of the team, your influence extends beyond the screen.
* Guidance: Provide leadership and direct mentorship to junior and mid‑level artists, helping them navigate complex workflows and maintain high‑quality standards.
* Studio Culture: Foster a healthy, creative environment where feedback is constructive and excellence is the baseline.
* Critique & Review: Participate in art reviews, offering insights that ensure all environmental assets meet both the artistic bar and the gameplay requirements.
Technical Requirements & Experience
We are looking for a veteran artist who thrives at the intersection of nature and technology.
* Proven Track Record: You have shipped at least one major AAA title as a Senior Environment Artist. You understand the “marathon” of a major game development cycle.
* Procedural Expertise: Strong experience building terrain using heightfield workflows. You should be comfortable explaining how to utilize Houdini and Gaea to drive large‑scale environment creation.
* Tool Proficiency: Expert‑level knowledge of Houdini, Gaea, Substance Designer, and Unreal Engine.
* Engine Mastery: Deep experience with Unreal Engine, specifically focusing on environment integration, terrain tools, and landscape optimization.
* Artistic Foundation: A strong understanding of shape, form, composition, and visual storytelling. You know how to use the environment to tell a story without saying a word.
* Collaboration: Excellent communication skills. You can speak “Art” to the directors and “Tech” to the engineers with equal fluency.
Desired Qualifications
* Advanced Unreal Engine: Experience with PCG (Procedural Content Generation) and advanced material workflows in UE5.
* Photogrammetry: Experience capturing and processing real‑world geological data and integrating it into procedural pipelines.
* Open‑World Experience: Specific experience building expansive, seamless open‑world environments using procedural pipelines.
The Lighthouse Lifestyle: Benefits & Perks
We believe that peak creativity requires a balance of rest, health, and security. Our benefits package is designed to support you through every stage of your life and career.
Time for Rest and Reflection
* Holiday Allowance: 25 Days of holiday per year, plus an extra day off for your birthday.
* Annual Shutdown: A complete studio shutdown between Christmas and New Year so everyone can recharge at the same time.
* Private Healthcare: Full private medical coverage for you and your peace of mind.
* Specialist Care: Dedicated Dental Care and Optical treatments included.
* Mental Health: Comprehensive mental health support and resources to ensure you feel supported both in and out of the studio.
* Well‑Being Benefits: Programs designed to promote physical health and overall well‑being.
Financial Security & Growth
* Performance Bonus: A discretionary bonus scheme to reward your hard work and the studio’s success.
* Private Pension: A robust pension scheme to help you plan for the future.
Why Leamington Spa?
Located in the heart of “Silicon Spa,” our studio is part of one of the most vibrant game development communities in the world.
* Community: Surround yourself with a dense population of gaming professionals. The networking and social opportunities are unmatched in the UK.
* Environment: Enjoy Regency‑style architecture, award‑winning parks, and a thriving independent food and drink scene.
* Accessibility: Perfectly positioned for a hybrid lifestyle, with easy rail links to London, Birmingham, and the rest of the Midlands.
How to Apply
Lighthouse Games is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
To be considered, your application must include:
A Diverse Portfolio: We want to see your terrain work. Show us your Houdini graphs, your Gaea exports, and your final Unreal Engine renders. We are looking for high‑quality natural landscapes and geological assets.
Professional Resume: Highlighting your shipped titles and specific contributions to those projects.
Cover Letter (Optional but encouraged): Tell us about a technical challenge you solved regarding large‑scale terrain or procedural generation.
Join Lighthouse Games and help us build a world that players will never want to leave. The light is on.
Lighthouse Games hiring Senior Environment Artist, UK
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