About the Role:

Role Overview

A Real-Time Unreal Artist for the Built Environment (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction - AEC) is a specialized role that bridges the gap between traditional architectural design and high-end game engine technology.

Unlike a traditional "arch-viz" artist who produces static renders, a Real-Time Artist builds interactive, live-navigable worlds that allow stakeholders to walk through a building before a single brick is laid. 

Specific Studio

Squint/Opera, a Journey studio, specialises in immersive, interactive experiences and visually compelling content that bridge the digital and physical for architecture, urban planning, and cultural projects. 

We're the innovators behind the Empire State Building Observatory's digital reinvention, creating over 40 unique exhibits that transform 10,000 square feet into an interactive journey through history and architecture. At Battersea Power Station, we designed Lift 109, an immersive ascent experience that melds cutting-edge animations, interactive elements, and spatial soundscapes to breathe new life into London's iconic landmark. 

For Qiddiya City, we pushed the boundaries of virtual production, crafting a revolutionary campaign that ignited global excitement for Saudi Arabia's visionary sports and entertainment mega-development. And in 2025 we redefined the way a nation tells its story through the Kingdom of Saudi Pavilion at World Expo 2025, where history, culture, and innovation converge with cutting edge storytelling and technology. 

Key Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Work within a team of artists, producers, and leads, finding ways to improve the process, align on requirements, and have a solutions-based approach to problem-solving and production.
• Build out "built environment" contexts, including people, vehicles, urban surroundings, urban activation (coffee shops, stores, etc), sound layout, and realistic vegetation.
• Create real-time assets that are optimised for real-time experiences.
• Import and clean up complex geometry from Revit, Rhino, or 3ds Max using pipeline tools and workflows.
• Optimization: Implement LODs (Level of Detail), nanite geometry, and texture atlasing to ensure smooth frame rates (60+ FPS) on target hardware (PC, VR, or Pixel Streaming).
• Lighting: Master Lumen (real-time global illumination) and ray-tracing to simulate accurate sun studies and interior artificial lighting.
• Create high-quality, physically based rendering (PBR) materials that accurately represent glass, concrete, wood, and metal.

Candidate Skills & Qualifications:

Technical Skills

• Unreal Engine 5 (Optimisation, Lumen, Nanite, PCG).
• Modeling/DCC: Proficiency in 3ds Max, Blender, Houdini or Maya.
• BIM/CAD Knowledge: Familiarity with Revit, Rhino, or SketchUp workflows.
• Adobe Substance 3D Painter/Designer and Quixel Mixer.

Professional Experience

• 3+ years of relevant experience with real-time 3D environments. 
• 3–5+ years in architectural visualization or game environment art.
• A strong understanding of architectural scale, construction details, and "FF&E" (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment).
• A "Real-Time Reel" showing interactive walkthroughs (not just static renders) is essential.
• Strong creative background 
• Strong communication skills, keeping in touch with colleagues across multiple sites 
• Able to confidently communicate creative needs to technical personnel and vice versa 
• Passionate about real-time 3D, AR, VR, Games, Virtual Production 
• Ability to understand conflicting viewpoints and resolve issues 
• Approachable, flexible, adapts well to changing priorities 
• Perseverance when faced with difficulties

Contract: Full time, Fixed Term contract

Location: Cape Town