About the role

Senior Technical Artist: Real-Time Graphics & Workflow Innovation

• Play a key role in shaping and scaling a unique real-time production pipeline
• Work hands-on with 3D asset development across some of the world’s top sports codes
• Be part of a close-knit, forward-thinking team based in Dunedin, New Zealand

 
The Opportunity:

Animation Research Ltd (ARL) is a world leader in real-time sports visualisation, delivering data-driven 3D and AR graphics through their Virtual Eye products. With growing demand across sports like golf, cricket and baseball, they are looking for a Senior Technical Artist to join their Dunedin based team. This is a hands-on production role, suited to someone who thrives in the thick of the action contributing directly to daily asset creation while also helping lead technical improvements across their pipeline.
 
This is a full-time, permanent position offering the chance to work across high-profile international sports projects, collaborating with developers, artists, and operators to produce industry-leading broadcast graphics.
 
About ARL/Virtual Eye:

They combine design, engineering, and creative thinking to solve complex visualisation challenges in live environments. Their team is passionate, solutions-focused, and proud to be pushing the boundaries of real-time production from their base in New Zealand.
 
The Role:

You will split your time between technical innovation and direct production delivery—building 3D assets, refining workflows, and developing tools to increase efficiency and visual quality. While you'll help shape scalable pipeline processes, you’ll also be expected to roll up your sleeves and contribute to day-to-day art team tasks (especially modelling and texturing in Maya) as needed.
 
ARL are after someone with initiative who keeps up with industry trends, takes ownership of new challenges, and looks for ways to improve how they work. You will help identify opportunities for automation, drive new approaches, and share your knowledge to lift the wider team.
 
What You'll Do:

• Build and optimise production-ready 3D models in Maya (with occasional rigging and animation work)
• Develop tools and shaders that support their asset workflows across Unreal Engine and other in-house renderers
• Help evolve internal asset pipelines with a focus on performance, scalability, and clarity
• Collaborate with graphics, development, and ops teams to ensure seamless integration
• Contribute to documentation, process improvement, and cross-team knowledge sharing
• Stay across new techniques and bring forward relevant ideas and tools for team adoption
• Be a champion for scalable, repeatable, and efficient workflows—particularly through automation 

What You'll Bring:

• 5+ years experience industry experience with Maya
• Solid scripting ability (Python, MEL, or similar)
• A strong understanding of real-time rendering pipelines
• Familiarity with shader creation and performance optimisation
• Great communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• A self-starter attitude being comfortable leading new projects and mentoring others
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine and other render engines

 
If you are looking for a role where you can bring your full technical and creative toolkit to the table and you are just as happy troubleshooting a texture issue as you are rewriting a build tool, ARL would love to hear from you. Based at their iconic offices in the beautiful city of Dunedin , ARL are looking for someone with NZ work rights who wants to come work with their passionate team in person.