---
title: 'Unreal Technical Artist at Swaybox Studios'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/unreal-technical-artist-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-szsxvhd06r13'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Unreal Technical Artist at Swaybox Studios

- **Company:** Swaybox Studios
- **Location:** New Orleans, LA
- **Posted:** 2026-08-19
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/swayboxstudios/jobs/4376517009

## Job description

Why join Swaybox Studios?

Swaybox Studios is rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling. As we collaborate with DC Studios/[Warner Bros Pictures Animation](https://www.imdb.com/company/co0468593/) and Matt Reeves’ 6th and Idaho on a revolutionary new project, you’ll help bring bold creative visions to life through hands-on artistry and performance. This is your chance to be a part of a production that’s equal parts innovative and unforgettable.

Unreal Technical Artist

Location: New Orleans, LA Studio: Swaybox Studios Department: VFX Department Reports To: VFX Supervisor/Unreal Supervisor Employment Type: Full Time - This is an ONSITE POSITION in New Orleans

Job Summary:

Swaybox Studios is currently seeking an Unreal Technical Artist to join our dynamic VFX team in bringing visually stunning work to life. This role serves as a bridge between the artistic and technical sides of production, helping ensure our Unreal Engine workflows support the visual quality, performance, and efficiency required for high-end cinematic work. It requires strong technical expertise, artistic sensibility, problem-solving skills, and a collaborative mindset.

The Unreal Technical Artist will work hands-on within Unreal Engine to support content integration, lighting, rendering, materials, shaders, real-time compositing, and performance optimization. This person will collaborate closely with the VFX Supervisor, Unreal Supervisor, CG artists, and TD team to solve technical and creative challenges while maintaining the unique visual aesthetic of the film. They will also play an important role in developing and refining Unreal workflows, troubleshooting production issues, and helping artists work effectively within the engine.

This is a perfect position for a Technical Artist who is passionate about combining artistry and technology to push cinematic quality and hybrid visual storytelling.

Key Responsibilities:

- Work hands-on within Unreal Engine to support the creation, integration, lighting, rendering, and optimization of high-quality assets and environments for cinematic production.
- Collaborate with the VFX Supervisor, Unreal Supervisor, CG artists, and TDs to develop technical solutions that support the creative and production goals of the film.
- Develop and maintain Unreal Engine tools and workflows utilizing Blueprints and other engine-based systems to improve artist efficiency and production consistency.
- Create and optimize shaders, materials, assets, and scenes within Unreal Engine, using profiling and performance analysis tools to identify bottlenecks and maintain visual quality while ensuring efficient render performance.
- Support real-time compositing and cinematic rendering workflows, including Unreal Composure, ACES/OCIO color management, and HDR rendering.
- Support the integration and optimization of assets created in industry-standard DCC applications such as Maya, Rhino3D, Blender, Substance, Mari, and Photoshop.
- Troubleshoot technical art and workflow challenges, collaborating with artists and TDs to develop scalable solutions and identify opportunities for pipeline and tool improvements.
- Create and maintain clear technical documentation for Unreal tools, workflows, best practices, and troubleshooting procedures.
- Communicate technical issues, requirements, and solutions clearly to both technical and non-technical team members.
- Research and evaluate new Unreal Engine features, tools, and techniques that may improve production efficiency or visual quality, while sharing knowledge and providing technical guidance to other artists as needed.
- Excel in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly, demonstrating exceptional organization, flexibility, and the ability to maintain quality amid evolving creative and technical requirements.

Required Qualifications:

- 5+ years of experience as a Technical Artist or in a comparable technical art role within high-end live action VFX, animation, Virtual Production, or cinematic production.
- Strong proficiency in Unreal Engine, including Blueprints, lighting, rendering, materials, shaders, content integration, and real-time compositing.
- Strong proficiency with industry-standard DCC applications such as Maya, Rhino 3D, Blender, Substance, Mari, and Photoshop, with a solid understanding of 3D asset workflows.
- Proven experience working on photorealistic projects using Unreal Engine, with a strong understanding of the visual standards required for high-end cinematic work.
- Strong understanding of real-time rendering and performance constraints, including experience using Unreal Engine profiling and performance analysis tools to identify and resolve bottlenecks.
- Strong understanding of shader development and optimization, including experience with HLSL and/or GLSL.
- Experience with color-managed pipelines, including ACES/OCIO and HDR rendering workflows.
- Proficiency working within version control systems such as Perforce, Git, or similar platforms.
- Ability to independently plan, design, troubleshoot, and implement solutions to a broad range of technical art challenges.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical team members and create clear technical documentation.
- Experience developing artist-facing tools and workflows within Unreal Engine.
- Deep understanding of visual language- texture, color, dimension, perspective, shade, motion blur, depth of field, proportion, spatial awareness, etc.
- Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt quickly to unique or proprietary workflows.
- A collaborative mindset with a willingness to receive feedback, share knowledge, and continually explore new tools, skills, and techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience with Virtual Production and hybrid workflows combining live action, practical elements, CG, and real-time rendered content.
- Familiarity with Python and/or other scripting languages used to support DCC and Unreal production workflows.
- Experience working closely with pipeline TDs or developers to design and implement production tools.
- Understanding of traditional offline VFX rendering and compositing workflows and how they integrate with real-time production.
- Basic knowledge of compositing in Nuke to create, evaluate, or troubleshoot slap comps and rendered output.
- Familiarity with tracking software such as ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking) and version control software such as Perforce.
- Previous experience mentoring artists or helping establish technical art best practices within a production team.

At Swaybox Studios, we believe that great storytelling comes from diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, talents, and identities.

We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Swaybox Studios also complies with applicable Louisiana laws governing non-discrimination in employment. We are dedicated to fostering a creative, inclusive, and respectful environment for all.

## About Swaybox Studios

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Swaybox Studios is a New Orleans-based animation studio that combines practical puppetry with CGI, stop-motion, and live-action techniques to create visually breathtaking long-form storytelling.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series D)
- **Headquarters**: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- **Founded**: 2013 (per CB Insights; the website states "since 2014")
- **Founders**: Arthur Mintz, Theresa Andersson, Noah Scruggs, Chris Armand, Thomas Woodruff

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Animation and Film Production
- **Target customers**: B2B (studio services for film/TV) and B2C (theatrical releases)
- **Mission**: “bringing the magic of practical puppetry to the big screen in ways never before seen” – producing storytelling that is “visually breathtaking, dynamically expressive, and—above all—more human”

## Products & Services
- **Feature Film Production**: Full-service studio offering puppet fabrication, stop-motion animation, CGI, and live-action integration. Currently producing a feature film with Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho, and “Dynamic Duos,” a DC animated theatrical film (Robin origin story) directed by Arthur Mintz and written by Matthew Aldrich (“Coco”).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total Funding $2.11M (Series D)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: IAG Capital Partners, Mortal Media, Joel Whitley, Innovation Catalyst, Paycheck Protection Program; partners include Matt Reeves (6th & Idaho), DC Studios, Warner Bros. Animation
- **Growth Signals**: Team has grown to over 150 animators, fabricators, designers, and other artists; high-profile projects with DC and Warner Bros.; 5 patents granted for visual animation techniques; actively hiring for 15+ roles as of mid-2026

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique hybrid technique**: Practical puppetry combined with modern CGI, stop-motion, and live-action – a distinctive aesthetic not replicated by pure digital studios
- **Patented technology**: 5 granted patents covering systems and methods for generating visual animation
- **Nostalgic charm with modern polish**: Retains the tactile appeal of puppetry while delivering cinematic quality
- **Strong industry connections**: Represented by CAA, with partnerships with major Hollywood players (Matt Reeves, DC Studios)

## Strategic Focus
- Producing long-form feature films using proprietary puppetry methods
- Expanding from New Orleans base into major studio collaborations (DC, Warner Bros.)
- Continuing to innovate in mixed animation techniques (CGI + stop-motion + live-action)

## Why Work Here
- **Creative environment**: Blend of traditional craftsmanship (puppet fabrication, set carpentry) and cutting-edge digital animation (CGI, Unreal Engine)
- **Location**: Based in New Orleans, offering a unique culture and lower cost of living compared to LA/NY
- **Growing team**: Over 150 artists currently employed; roles span CG animators, compositors, puppet painters, set carpenters, fabricators, Rhino designers, and more
- **On-site presence**: All listed jobs are in New Orleans, LA; likely primarily office-based with some on-set work
- **Notable perks**: Opportunity to work on major studio films from a boutique studio; involvement in high-profile DC/Warner Bros. projects

## Sources
1. [swayboxstudios.com](https://www.swayboxstudios.com/)
2. [swayboxstudios.com/about](https://www.swayboxstudios.com/about)
3. [greenhouse.io/swayboxstudios](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/swayboxstudios)
4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/swaybox-studios)

## Other roles at Swaybox Studios

- [Lead Render Wrangler](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-render-wrangler-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-cd0fkqbv4z9v) — New Orleans, LA
- [Unreal Generalist](https://feeny.ai/job/unreal-generalist-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-sg1xw4yw5mc5) — New Orleans, LA
- [Lead 3D Tracking Artist](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-3d-tracking-artist-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-gkweq13c3jv8) — New Orleans, LA
- [Houdini Technical Director](https://feeny.ai/job/houdini-technical-director-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-165e78tw98m5) — New Orleans, LA
- [CG Modeler](https://feeny.ai/job/cg-modeler-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-azqv7xse3w16) — New Orleans, LA
- [Senior CG Generalist (Modeler)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cg-generalist-modeler-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-vk8e12zf74wg) — New Orleans, LA
- [Lead Compositing Artist](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-compositing-artist-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-hvpjnhdb7vrx) — New Orleans, LA
- [Compositing Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/compositing-supervisor-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-tattsf9qwqw7) — New Orleans, LA
- [Costumer](https://feeny.ai/job/costumer-swaybox-studios-new-orleans-5yk6fynq8hhp) — New Orleans, LA