Senior Artist; External Development; FTC

Senior Artist (External Development) (FTC)

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Artist (External Development) to join our Environment Art team. This Fixed Term Contract runs until the end of 2027.

About Dambuster Studios Originally founded in 1999 as Free Radical Design, our ambition and passion remain strong. We value passion, quality, and teamwork, embodied in our diverse and inclusive culture. Our studio is in Nottingham city centre, with some roles offered on a hybrid or fully remote basis. Our internal Wellbeing Committee and Mental Health First Aiders help champion diversity in a safe environment.

Senior Artist (External Development) roles may vary by advert; refer to the role-specific information for details. All candidates must work from the UK.

Role Overview

We’re seeking a highly skilled Senior Artist (External Development) to join our Environment Art team and help shape the world of our AAA projects. In this role, you’ll guide and support external partners in creating a wide range of assets—including environments, vehicles, and level art—ensuring their work aligns seamlessly with the project’s visual direction. You’ll provide clear feedback, review content, and uphold the highest standards of quality and in-game performance.

Working closely with Studio Art Leadership, the Lead Environment Artist, and fellow Senior Artists, you’ll play a key role in integrating global development efforts into a cohesive final product.

What We Can Offer You

• Core hours 9.30am - 4pm, remaining hours worked flexibly
• Domestic relocation support, if required
• Work styles: fully studio-based, hybrid (live within 50 miles of studio and able to come in 2-3 days per week), or remote (UK)
• Holiday allowance increases with service (to a maximum of 30 days plus public holidays)
• Annual pay reviews
• Company pension contribution that increases with service
• Enhanced maternity pay for the first 26 weeks (to qualifying conditions)
• Clear career progression within Dambuster Studios
• Studio funded learning and development opportunities
• Modern game development environment with the latest technologies
• Vibrant, modern city centre location with good transport links
• Fully subsidised gym membership
• Annual Christmas party and Summer Family BBQ
• Quarterly cross-team events
• Free financial advice
• Employee referral bonus scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Weekly office treats

Responsibilities

• Provide clear technical and aesthetic feedback to external artists, maintaining a consistent high-quality bar for the game.
• Collaborate with the Art Director, Lead Artist, Lead Environment Artist, and other senior staff to align external content with the project vision.
• Coordinate with internal artists and production teams to ensure smooth collaboration with external partners.
• Prepare and maintain art briefs, asset packs, and documentation to guide external development teams.
• Contribute to and refine art style guides, development pipelines, and best practices, working with wider art and engineering teams to resolve risks and improve workflows.
• Facilitate art reviews with art leadership, ensuring clear and actionable feedback is communicated to external teams.
• Partner with concept artists and art direction to ensure reference material provided to external teams is clear, detailed, and production ready.
• Help establish and uphold visual benchmarks to guide external partners in meeting the studio’s quality expectations.
• Create high-quality models, materials, and environments as required to support production and provide examples for external teams.
• Support, mentor, and inspire junior artists, providing guidance on best practices and studio workflows.

Requirements

• Excellent spoken, written, and visual communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex tasks, instructions, and technical issues to external partners.
• Strong ability to work from detailed concept art and reference materials when supporting external teams.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, adhere to asset organisation standards, and follow established pipelines.
• In-depth understanding of art development workflows, including high-to-low poly modelling, lighting, and P  material authoring,…