Full-Time

Principal Technical Artist: Houdini/Terrain Pipeline Specialist

Posted on 8/9/2023

Rockstar Games

Rockstar Games

5,001-10,000 employees

Develops and publishes immersive console/PC games

No salary listed

Leeds, UK

Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, PharmD, PhD, Associate's, JD, MD

Category
Art, Graphics & Animation
Required Skills
Communications
Blender
Unity

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Requirements
  • Bring innovation and resolution to technical problems and challenges throughout Environment Art - from content creation through to the game (across multiple platforms)
  • Create and maintain tools and pipelines that improve our Art workflows
  • Provide focused support for an ever-growing Art team and document/share solutions/knowledge with wider team
  • Proactively use knowledge and experience to identify and solve problems before they affect the Environment Art team and our projects
  • Work closely with fellow Technical Artists as part of a global team working on interconnected tools and systems
  • Collaborate and communicate with other departments (aside from the Art department) such as Tools and Runtime (Engine) teams
  • 5+ years professional experience in games or Film/VFX
  • A relevant degree or professional experience in the game industry as a Technical Artist or similar/related position from industries such as Film/VFX
  • In the absence of the above; videos or an online portfolio with relevant examples of your work will be required so we can assess your skill set
  • Advanced knowledge of using Houdini within a procedural art pipeline
  • Strong coding/scripting skills with OOP knowledge and debugging
  • Keen diagnostic skills to analyse problems and identify solutions
  • Strong communication, self-management, and organizational skills
  • Ability to work within a schedule and deliver effectively to deadlines
  • Experience in proceduralism with DCC/packages/engines other than Houdini. E.g. Blender, Substance, Unreal, Unity ete
  • Experience with the use of Houdini Engine
  • Experience with Automation/Scheduling solutions such as HQueue, Tractor, Deadline, Jenkins, Airflow etc
  • Experience creating scripts/tools for 3DS Max, Maya, Blender or Substance
  • Experience with C# and .NET Core/Framework
  • Professional experience as an Artist in games (although this is not an Artist role)
  • Experience working and developing in a multi-platform, multi-project environment
  • Experience working in a large team spread across multiple locations and time zones
Responsibilities
  • This is a skilled Principal Environment Technical Artist role relating to Environments with a specific focus on Terrain art support
  • Work with Runtime and Art teams to push engine features which improve our Art processes within the constraints of the platforms we are targeting
  • Create tools within Houdini to drive our terrain creation pipeline
  • Create, maintain and optimise advanced HDAs to help with procedural creation of artwork

Rockstar Games develops and publishes video games for home consoles and PC, with flagship franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. Its games come as full releases sold physically or digitally, plus ongoing revenue from in-game purchases, DLC, and licensing deals for its IPs. The company creates immersive, open-world titles that mix narrative storytelling with large, interactive environments across major platforms. Its goal is to provide long-lasting entertainment to a global audience by delivering high-quality games and expanding revenue through DLC, microtransactions, licensing, and merchandise.

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$1.5M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1998

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Rockstar confirmed Netflix's August 27 extended look, signaling a major marketing acceleration.
  • Preorders already opened for GTA VI, proving demand before gameplay coverage.
  • November 19, 2026 remains on schedule, keeping the industry's biggest launch intact.

What critics are saying

  • The September 10-October 15, 2026 union trial keeps layoffs and blacklisting allegations public.
  • Another GTA VI delay would crush preorders, marketing momentum, and Take-Two confidence.
  • A leak or launch failure would damage Rockstar's secrecy moat and franchise trust.

What makes Rockstar Games unique

  • Rockstar's GTA VI page still says November 19, 2026, anchoring unmatched anticipation.
  • Its Netflix August 27 preview creates a first-of-its-kind entertainment rollout.
  • Rockstar's franchises monetize for years through GTA Online-like live services and premium launches.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Company Equity

Performance Bonus

Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

9%

1 year growth

9%

2 year growth

9%
Gulf News
Aug 7th, 2026
GTA 6 Netflix premiere date revealed: UAE timings and extended look details.

GTA 6 Netflix premiere date revealed: UAE timings and extended look details. GTA 6 extended look hits Netflix first, with UAE timings confirmed Last updated: August 07, 2026 | 09:28 After years of leaked maps, pixel-zoomed screenshots, wild fan theories, and a collective fanbase that has refreshed Rockstar's social media at 3 a.m. more times than anyone should admit, the wait finally has an actual date attached to it. Rockstar Games has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look will premiere at the end of August, and in a genuinely unexpected twist, it's landing on Netflix first. GTA 6 extended look: When and where to watch in UAE. When: August 28, 2026 (UAE time) Where: Netflix (first), followed by Rockstar Games' official YouTube channel and website UAE timing: * Netflix premiere: 12:30 am UAE time on August 28 * YouTube and Rockstar Games website release: 6:30 am UAE time on August 28 Wait, Netflix? As in, the Netflix? Yes, that Netflix. This marks the first time Rockstar has ever partnered with the streaming giant for an early premiere, and it's the kind of crossover that would've sounded like a fan-made rumour a year ago. The extended look drops on Netflix at 3 p.m. ET (11 am. IST on August 28), giving subscribers a brief window of bragging rights before the rest of the internet catches up. Six hours later, at 9 p.m. ET (5 a.m. IST), the same footage lands on Rockstar's YouTube channel and the game's official website, free for absolutely everyone. Nobody knows what's actually in it. Here's the fun part: Rockstar hasn't said a single concrete thing about what "extended look" actually means. We don't know about the gameplay, or confirmed features. Just three carefully chosen, maximally vague words, which - if you know anything about how this fanbase operates - is basically an open invitation for a fresh round of theories, frame-by-frame breakdowns, and eople convincing themselves they've spotted a secret detail in the announcement thumbnail alone. SPONSORED LINKS BY PROJECT AGORA What we do know is that the hype is not new. Rockstar's two previous trailers already broke the internet in their own right, with the 2025 trailer racking up hundreds of millions of views across platforms within its first 24 hours - numbers most entire game franchises don't hit in their entire marketing cycle, let alone one video. The countdown has officially begun. With GTA 6 officially locked in for a November 19, 2026 launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, this Netflix-YouTube double feature isn't just another trailer - it's the opening act of Rockstar's final marketing push. Set in the fictional, Florida-inspired state of Leonida and following protagonists Jason and Lucia through a sprawling, Vice City-centered world, the game has spent years living purely in fans' imaginations. Also In This Package

The Game Business
Aug 7th, 2026
Could no physical disc and a trade union row hurt the GTA 6 launch? Take-Two's CEO doesn't think so.

Could no physical disc and a trade union row hurt the GTA 6 launch? Take-Two's CEO doesn't think so. Strauss Zelnick hopes Rockstar will showcase more marketing innovations following its Netflix partnership. Aug 07, 2026 Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says he's "not in the least" concerned that a row with ex-Rockstar employees could negatively impact the launch of GTA 6. He also shrugged off online debates round the company's decision not to have a physical disc version of GTA 6 when it launches on November 19. GTA 6 is expected to be the biggest entertainment launch of all time when it arrives this November. Currently, all major companies have avoided going head-to-head with the game, which arrives more than 13 years after GTA 5, a game that has now sold 230 million copies worldwide. However, Rockstar is currently handling a labour dispute after it dismissed more than 30 employees over leaking information online. The Independent Workers of Great Britain has accused Rockstar of discriminating against staff that were looking to join a union, and the case is currently going to tribunal in the UK. We've seen media coverage increasingly consider wider issues in their critical reviews for new games. Last year, one major website awarded a lower score to the game Arc Raiders for using AI technology. "We are proud of how people are treated and how people are compensated" "[We're] not in the last [concerned]. How you develop the game is different from the nature of your labour relations," Zelnick told The Game Business. "We are very proud of our labour relations. We have an extraordinary work force, 13,000 colleagues around the world. And we are proud of how people are treated and how people are compensated. We have the lowest attrition rate in the business by half, and Rockstar's attrition rate is half of that. That's vastly the lowest in the business. As I say, we are proud of our labour relations." For more breaking interviews and stories, sign-up to The Game Business today Meanwhile, Zelnick has played down concerns that the lack of a disc version for GTA 6 might negatively impact the launch of the game because "everyone is online. You can't play new video games without being online." We mentioned that historically retail has been a key marketing channel for games like GTA. Zelnick responded: "That's a good point, which is why we offer code-in-a-box. But ultimately, our business is well over 90% digital." GTA 6 will receive its next major reveal on Netflix on August 27, which is the first time the TV streaming giant has hosted a game reveal. "Rockstar is known for trying new things and innovating. And I am hopeful you will see more innovations," Zelnick said. Linked to Grand Theft Auto is the current challenges facing video game consoles. PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo have all had to raise the price of their machines, which has resulted in an initial slowdown in sales. This isn't just a challenge for GTA, which launches only on PlayStation and Xbox this year, but some of Take-Two's other major franchises, including NBA 2K. "We think the audience for our console and PC games could be 10X or more the size of the business today" "The install base of this generation at Christmas time will be roughly the same as the install base was when we launched GTA 5," Zelnick noted. "We're not concerned about selling to a smaller audience. "But we do think the intersection of the growth of PC as a format within console and PC releases from 1% to 50% of the last 20 years, combined with our optimism about streaming services over the next three years, we think the audience for our console and PC games could be 10X or more the size of the business today. Now that does not mean we think our revenues will grow by 10X, but we do think the install base will grow materially." Zelnick was talking after Take-Two's 2026/2027 Q1 results, which beat guidance due to strong revenue from NBA 2K26 and Grand Theft Auto. It says it will hit $8 billion to $8.2 billion in net bookings for the full year. Sign-up to The Game Business for free, and receive twice weekly podcasts and newsletters

MMORPG.com
Aug 6th, 2026
Rockstar Games and Netflix partner for a timed exclusive 'Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look'

Rockstar Games and Netflix partner for a timed exclusive 'Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look' Christina Gonzalez Updated: Aug 6, 2026 4:37 PM Posted: Aug 6, 2026 4:36 PM ET Category: News 0 Rockstar Games and Netflix have teamed up on Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look, which will premiere on the streaming service as a timed exclusive on August 27th. The companies announced the special preview and put it under the "Action & Adventure Movies" category", describing the look at the long-awaited game with the following "See an extended look at "Grand Theft Auto VI", the next evolution in the groundbreaking "Grand Theft Auto" series". The listing also has tags: "This show is... Slick, Rousing, Adventure, High-Octane, Imaginative, Cars, Action Thriller, Movie" This preview will hit Netflix on August 27th at 3:00 p.m Eastern, but if you're not a Netflix subscriber, or you don't like having to pay to see a game promo, the timed exclusivity ends just six hours later. It will be available on the Rockstar Games YouTube channel and the official Grand Theft Auto VI site at 9pm ET. Since this is an "extended look", it calls to mind other streaming services, often with relationships or deals with studios (such as Disney's previews of its films on owned services Hulu and Disney+). With GTA VI now available to preorder (with no physical edition) and with a November 19th release date, are you curious to see an in-depth preview like this?

Player.One
Aug 6th, 2026
'GTA VI' delay coming? Former Rockstar developer thinks it could happen - here's why.

'GTA VI' delay coming? Former Rockstar developer thinks it could happen - here's why. There is also uneasiness due to Rockstar's silence on 'GTA VI.' A former Rockstar Games employee has reignited discussion around whether "Grand Theft Auto VI" might see another delay before it finally launches. The comments come from someone with firsthand experience inside the studio, though he's been clear that he no longer has any direct insight into the game's current development status. 'GTA VI' could be delayed again says former Rockstar dev. Speaking with Indy100 via Covers, former Rockstar Games senior animator Mike York said that he wouldn't be shocked if Rockstar pushed the release date back once more. York is known for his stint at Rockstar from 2012 to 2019, and during his time there, he handled projects including "GTA 5," "GTA Online," and "Red Dead Redemption 2." When asked directly about his confidence in the current November launch window, York said based on his previous experience at the studio, Rockstar could "straight up" delay the game again. York was careful to note that he no longer works for Rockstar and has no current knowledge of "GTA VI's" actual state of development. Still, drawing on his time there, he said the studio's high standards haven't changed, and that even a single important mission still needing polish close to launch could be enough to prompt another postponement. Polished release or resorting to patch updates? According to York, Rockstar has historically prioritized shipping a polished, finished product over strictly hitting a set deadline. He pointed to that mindset as the core reason another delay remains possible, even this close to launch and even with pre-orders already open and pricing confirmed. York went as far as saying Rockstar would push the release "six more months if they have to" rather than compromise on quality. He also added that a delay likely wouldn't hurt pre-order sales either since he believes fans will keep waiting regardless of how long it takes. That comment reflects the same approach Rockstar has taken with past titles like "Red Dead Redemption 2," which itself was delayed roughly a year from its original release date in pursuit of a more complete final product. 'GTA VI' release date remains unchanged. Despite York's comments, Rockstar has not announced any new delay, and "Grand Theft Auto VI" remains officially scheduled to launch on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game has already been pushed back twice, first from its original fall 2025 window to May 2026, and then again from May to its current November date, with Rockstar citing the need for additional polish both times. Despite these delays, Rockstar's "Grand Theft Auto VI" preorders still saw a whopping $1 billion in earnings in its first hour of opening alone. This is despite the game costing as much as $80 for its standard release version, and reaching a whopping $100 for its Ultimate Edition. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has continued reaffirming the November release window in recent statements to investors, and the studio has since opened pre-orders while confirming pricing details for the game. York's comments remain speculation rooted in his experience rather than any confirmed insider knowledge, and for now, Rockstar's messaging continues to point toward "GTA VI" arriving on schedule this November.

NoobFeed
Aug 3rd, 2026
GTA 6's final marketing push begins as the November launch approaches.

GTA 6's final marketing push begins as the November launch approaches. Looking back at Grand Theft Auto 5's marketing timeline offers a clearer picture of what you might expect as Rockstar counts down to GTA 6's November launch. Action & Platform Games With just over 100 days remaining until Grand Theft Auto 6 launches on November 19, anticipation continues to build even though Rockstar Games has remained unusually quiet throughout much of the summer. Outside of the game's preorder announcement, a handful of screenshots, and several deep-dive reveals, official updates have slowed to a crawl. That silence has left many fans wondering when the next wave of marketing will begin. Fortunately, looking back at how Rockstar handled Grand Theft Auto 5's launch could provide some useful clues about what may happen over the next few months. A recently shared breakdown of GTA 5's launch timeline highlights how much activity took place during the final weeks before release. While Rockstar's marketing strategy has certainly evolved over the past decade, many of the milestones from 2013 remain common across major game launches today. The timeline is not meant to predict GTA 6's marketing beat for beat, but it does offer a realistic framework for what you could see as launch day gets closer. Computer & Video Games Around 15 weeks before GTA 5 launched, Rockstar had already released its third trailer, which focused on the game's three main protagonists. Major media outlets had published extensive previews, and the collector's edition had already been announced. GTA 6 has not quite reached that point yet, meaning some announcements appear to be arriving later than they did for its predecessor. At roughly 14 weeks before GTA 5's release, Sony unveiled a special PlayStation 3 bundle alongside additional screenshots during E3. That history has fueled speculation that GTA 6 could receive similar console bundles this year, particularly because Sony currently holds the game's marketing partnership. You have probably already noticed the "Play Best on PS5" branding attached to GTA 6 promotions, making a PlayStation 5 Pro bundle seem like a realistic possibility. If that happens, retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart could all offer special launch packages when the game arrives. One feature that may not return, however, is the traditional strategy guide. Twelve weeks before GTA 5 launched, Rockstar officially announced its printed strategy guide while GameStop revealed an exclusive preorder poster. Those guides were once a familiar sight at game stores, allowing players to flip through maps, mission walkthroughs, and artwork while waiting in line to check out. Eleven weeks before GTA 5's launch, Rockstar also held an extensive questions-and-answers session covering installation requirements, Xbox 360's two-disc setup, and the status of a future PC version. The studio also teased its first gameplay video, released new wallpapers, and reassured players that the game would not face any further delays. That kind of communication could go a long way for GTA 6, especially after months of limited updates. Many fans remain confident that the November 19 launch date will stick, but regular communication from Rockstar would likely calm lingering concerns surrounding another delay. Action & Platform Games Ten weeks before GTA 5 finally arrived, Rockstar unveiled its first official gameplay trailer while Game Informer published detailed previews covering combat and customization. The studio also released another collection of screenshots, giving players a much better look at how the game actually played. Because GTA 6 has yet to receive gameplay footage, some believe Rockstar could skip another traditional trailer and move directly to a gameplay presentation. If that happens, it would answer many lingering questions surrounding visuals, performance, and overall gameplay systems before launch. The following weeks became much quieter before activity gradually picked up again. Around seven weeks before GTA 5's launch, Rockstar released another screenshot collection while official age ratings appeared through organizations like the ESRB. GTA 6 will eventually reach that same milestone, although an M rating is almost guaranteed and therefore unlikely to generate much excitement by itself. Five weeks before GTA 5 launched marked one of the biggest moments in its entire marketing campaign. Rockstar debuted a massive website update filled with artwork, screenshots, gameplay details, and information about GTA Online. Achievement and trophy lists also surfaced, revealing several gameplay features before release. GTA 6 has already received a dedicated website much earlier than GTA 5 did, so Rockstar may approach this stage differently, especially since GTA Online appears likely to receive its own marketing campaign at a later date. One month before GTA 5 launched, Rockstar announced the game's digital release plans while expanding its official website with even more screenshots and information. Preload files eventually leaked online, even prompting Sony to issue an apology after hidden audio files surfaced ahead of launch. Computer & Video Games Rockstar will undoubtedly try to avoid a similar situation with GTA 6 by tightening security around preloads and digital distribution. Even so, another major website update around the one-month mark seems entirely possible. Three weeks before GTA 5's release, Rockstar confirmed that development had officially wrapped and that the game had gone gold. That announcement signaled the game was complete and ready to be manufactured before reaching retailers. GTA 6 is expected to hit the same milestone sometime in late October or early November if everything remains on schedule. Rockstar could also choose that moment to release another trailer, making it one of the biggest announcements before launch day. In the last two weeks leading up to the release of GTA 5, previews became a lot more common, with journalists and select media outlets getting time with the game. More screenshots kept appearing, and coverage of GTA Online grew slowly. GTA 6 might go a different route because stopping leaks has gotten so much harder in today's gaming world. The final week before GTA 5 launched featured another wave of marketing that included fresh artwork, additional interviews, new website features, and a midnight release locator. Review copies eventually reached critics before the review embargo lifted just ahead of launch. Rockstar may decide to handle reviews much differently with GTA 6. Possibly waiting until release day to avoid any chance of major story details or gameplay footage leaking online. Considering the enormous attention surrounding the game, maintaining secrecy could become one of the company's highest priorities. Action & Platform Games Although Rockstar's marketing strategy for GTA 6 almost certainly will not mirror GTA 5's timeline exactly, many familiar milestones are still likely to appear before November 19 arrives. Additional trailers, gameplay demonstrations, screenshots, website updates, ratings, preorder information, and the eventual "gone gold" announcement all remain reasonable expectations during the final stretch. With the countdown entering its final 100 days, you can expect Rockstar's marketing campaign to gradually shift into a much higher gear. If history offers any indication, the quiet period surrounding GTA 6 may not last much longer. Editor, NoobFeed

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