ATOMHAWK IS HOME
TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S
LARGEST IN-HOUSE
TEAMS OF SPECIALIST
DIGITAL ARTISTS

Current Openings

About Atomhawk
 
Atomhawk produces the very best in cutting-edge creative conceptualisation, visualisation, and realisation. Our client list includes major names – Warner Bros, Sony, Microsoft, SEGA, Activision, 2K, EPIC, The Pokémon Company and Blizzard all feature. And we like variety. Every project is different from the last. The spectrum covers gritty, hard-hitting Mortal Kombat, irreverent and stylised Surgeon Simulator 2, comic book superheroes, nostalgic childhood favourites and all things in between. Whichever franchise is on today’s agenda – DC, Halo, Marvel, Mortal Kombat and Warhammer – we move through their worlds with ease and creative curiosity.
 
The work our team produces is world-class. We’ve celebrated that fact in three artbooks. Each one features concept art, tutorials and professional tips. Volume 3 was created to mark the studio’s 10th anniversary, and was displayed and sold at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle, where we held the exhibition Other Worlds: The Art of Atomhawk in 2020. You can take a virtual tour of the exhibition here.
 
Our output hasn’t gone unnoticed. We received Best Companies’ 3 Star Accreditation 2021 and Top Companies North East 2021. We hold the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, as well as the TIGA Star Award 2021. We were also named Best Art/Animation/Trailer Supplier at the 2021 Develop Star Awards.
 
Creativity thrives through diversity, not conformity. Every Atomhawk applicant and employee is afforded space and freedom to be their true self, with no fear of prejudice or persecution. During the application process, you won’t be judged on your name, your gender, your sexuality, your ethnicity, your age, your religion, or any other factor unrelated to your ability to do the job. 
 
Atomhawk is part of Sumo Digital Ltd, one of the UK’s leading videogame developers.
Description
Atomhawk is looking for talented concept artists who have a passion for character design (a passion for realistic characters or someone with a wide range across realism and stylised would be advantageous). You’ll be working on a large variety of exciting titles that range from realistic to stylized art on a range of upcoming AAA videogame titles.
As a Senior Character Concept artist, you’ll produce high-quality, storytelling concept art as per Atomhawk quality and client specifications. Designing and develop briefs for a variety of different video game projects (different genres, different art styles) using your creativity to showcase strong idea generation. You’ll also support and mentor Junior Artists with goal setting, defining processes, reviewing progress and ensuring the consistent delivery of AAA artwork alongside the project Lead and Art Director.
We’re looking for personalities who will fit our culture of innovative creativity and collaborative problem-solving. We’re very interested to see initial ideas and sketches along with your final rendering quality. The ability to bring character and personality to your designs is a must for this role, so please include your most creative pieces in your portfolio to show us what you can do! If this interests you, we encourage you to send us your portfolio and show us what you’d bring to our flock.
We look for the following things in people who want to join our team:
Quality at all stages of the process – Creation of artwork that is well presented and defined from sketch through to final polish.
Design thinking – Solving creative problems through innovative design, balancing form and function.
Technical skill – Fluency in Photoshop and an understanding of complimentary software and tools.
3D skills – Experience using 3D software such as Core, Mudbox, Blender, 3DsMax, Z-Brush and Maya.
Art fundamentals – A strong grasp of colour, light, composition, anatomy, perspective and depth.
Variety and iteration – The ability to provide multiple creative options, then iterate upon them as projects progress.
Adaptability – Switching quickly and fluidly to new requirements and processes when required.
Working to a brief – Understanding creative briefs, then considering elements such as context, timescales and creative constraints when solving tasks.
Time management – Creation of high-quality work within allocated timescales.
Collaboration – Receptive to taking feedback and working together with team-mates and clients.

We believe real talent’s worth nurturing, so alongside structured career development and training pathways for all staff, we prioritise positive work-life balance.

Our job is to support the production of great artwork and foster a collaborative culture that inspires, to make ongoing learning and the fun of creativity part of everyone’s journey with us.

Values & Culture

Atomhawk begins and ends with its people. Our extraordinary team allows us to achieve feats which would be impossible alone. We commit collectively to giving everyone the creative freedom to grow, as artists and as people.

Our differences make us better professionally and culturally; they’re to be celebrated and they’re a strength. By setting ourselves the highest standards for planning and precision, and staying not just up to date, but one step ahead, we make sure our work is exceptional, every time.

We take training and development seriously. Everyone should be moving forward, pushing the limits of their potential. Our structured career development pathway is linked to a grading system. Monthly one-to-ones, plus biannual appraisals help staff progress and map out future plans.

Everyone has at least eight training days annually, and all staff work on training and development objectives throughout the year, some of which are set by management, some by individual team members. Our management and leadership teams provide structured support on defined training tasks.

Read more about Atomhawk’s Career Progression on our Career Resources page.

We’re upfront about what we look for in applications. Our comprehensive Portfolio Guides Resource provide full guidance, but remember:

  • Show us only your best, most high-quality work
  • Provide accompanying images that demonstrate your thought processes for at least three artwork.
  • Focus on your key areas of interest like design, ideation, variation, exploration, sketches, and breakdowns

Portfolio Guides:

We know applying for jobs can be overwhelming, but we don’t want that to stop us finding you. We’re transparent about our recruitment process so that all candidates, at all levels can prepare for their interview with confidence.

  • Application review – We’ll review your application, previous experience and/or portfolio, and reply to you. If you’re unsuccessful, we encourage you to check out the wealth of free education available on our Career Resources directory.
  • Get to Know – If we’re considering you for the position, you’ll be invited to an online interview with our hiring manager and department lead. This typically lasts 1 hour, and it’s a chance to chat about your application, ambitions, and experience.
  • Filling in the gaps – If there are any key elements we couldn’t see in your portfolio or CV, you may be asked to take a test.
  • Second interview – We may hold a second interview so additional members of the team can meet you. This is also a great chance for you to ask us any extra questions you might have.
  • Offer – If you’re successful, you’ll receive an offer of employment via email. Unsuccessful candidates at this stage will receive an email with personalised feedback.

Creativity thrives through diversity, not conformity. Every Atomhawk applicant and employee is afforded space and freedom to be their true self, with no fear of prejudice or persecution. During the application process, you won’t be judged on your name, your gender, your sexuality, your ethnicity, your age, your religion, or any other factor unrelated to your ability to do the job.

Our managers undertake mandatory EDI training and are committed to making our workplace more inclusive for underrepresented team members, including through the implementation of reasonable adjustments. This is a workplace where all employees feel safe, welcome, and represented.

 

Atomhawk offers a comprehensive system of rewards and benefits. These are made up of financial, support, development, and fun incentives. We invest and add to these each year, as the company develops.

This is in addition to cutting edge studio facilities, award-winning projects, and a world-class studio culture, according to Best Companies.

  • Flexible hours and hybrid working options
  • Annual bonus scheme linked to profit and individual performance
  • Annual pay increases
  • Freedom to freelance policy for artists
  • All-staff referral bonus scheme up to £3,000
  • Eight days a year of paid training and development
  • An extensive library of tutorials/courses
  • 21 paid holidays per year that increases to 25 per additional year of service, plus public holidays, along with your birthday and Christmas Eve off
  • Money allocated to each staff member for ‘flexible benefits,’ to spend on a choice of benefits or take as additional pay
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity and adoption pay
  • Critical illness cover, death in service benefit and dental cover
  • Mental health support via the Employee Assistance Programme – confidential 24/7/365 helpline and app
  • Access remote GP, mental Health, Physiotherapy appointments & medical second opinions
  • Electric car and cycle to work schemes
  • Pension and salary sacrifice scheme
  • Support relocating to the UK and Visa sponsorship
  • Transfer scheme from UK to Canada studio, and vice versa
  • Match funding for charity donations and payroll giving scheme
  • Unlimited drinks and snacks (including healthy options!)
  • Christmas, summer and wrap parties along with employee long service awards
  • We embrace a fully remote work model with hybrid and onsite options available to all team members.
  • Annual bonus scheme based on Group, Studio and Individual Performance
  • Freedom to freelance policy for artists
  • Eight days a year of paid training and development
  • An extensive library of tutorials/courses with Dojo and Udemy resources
  • Extended health & wellness benefits
  • Up to 5% RRSP employer matching
  • Flexible-Time Off scheme in addition to Canadian public holidays
  • $500 health & fitness annual reimbursement, to be put towards either a Health Spending Account (HSA) or Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
  • Quarterly team activities (cinema trips, lunches/dinners, go karting, arcades, etc.)

Our Studios

Design

Based on the Newcastle/Gateshead quayside, our studio unites specialists from every continent (except Antarctica!), with a team of 50 plus artists and designers covering Concept Art, 2D Game Art, Animation and 3D. Outstanding people are the defining element – a friendly vibe, true diversity, professional support, and great development opportunities, are just a few of the factors that shape us.

Advance

A remote-first team, Atomhawk Advance’s DNA is packed with Atomhawk excellence. Supporting game development studios with specialist disciplines, and bringing expertise to hard-to-fill roles in Technical Art and UI/UX. Our veteran game developers handle all aspects of the video game development process, embedding themselves into clients’ teams and hitting the ground running.

Canada

Vancouver based, with creatives across Canada, this studio prioritises collaboration and communication. Our location lets us work in real-time with North American clients – a true extension of clients’ internal teams at every stage of the creative development process. An ‘artist first’ approach and empowering colleagues in their day-to-day work and long-term plans are cornerstones.

Our Awards