Junior Technical Artist

Want to create software that makes a difference? At the Virtual Heroes Division of Applied Research Associates, our goal is to improve our nation's safety, security, and way of life. Join us!

We're looking for a skilled Technical Artist to add to our development team. The ideal candidate has extensive technical experience in art efforts for games, simulations, or virtual reality and a solid grasp of art pipelines. You will be a key member of a team that is solving real-world problems for the military, healthcare, education, and commercial customers. You will serve multiple projects simultaneously, so agility, poise, focus, and communication skills are a must.

Why Work For Us?

• The opportunity to make a real impact. Virtual Heroes has been making quality serious games for over 18 years. Everyone who works here is important, from new faces to those who have worked here since the beginning. Your contribution matters-you won't be just a number!
• Flexible, reasonable hours. We encourage all employees to have a good work/life balance. We do not believe in burning you out! We invest in our people and want you to be happy with us for the long haul.
• Outstanding benefits:
  • Annual performance bonuses and raises
• Generous company-provided retirement contributions
• Available health benefit plans include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, and pet insurance
  • Coverage for eligible dependents is available, including domestic partner
• Company-paid life and disability insurance and employee assistance program (EAP)
• 9 paid holidays per year, which can be moved to accommodate employee preference
• Paid personal leave starting at 3.5 weeks per year with an annual rollover provision
• Paid bereavement, jury duty, and military leave
• Rewards & Recognition Services including service awards and employee discounts
• Professional development opportunities, such as tuition reimbursement for continuing education and professional memberships
• Wide range of professional training and learning opportunities plus unlimited access to Learning Management System (Cornerstone/LinkedIn Learning)
• Fully paid relocation

For additional information, please visit our benefits page at https://www.ara.com/benefits/.

Junior Technical Artist Requirements:

• Candidates selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information
• Bachelors or better in a related field. Equivalent professional experience (6+ years) will be considered for talented candidates without a degree
• Self-motivation, good communication skills, and a great team-player attitude

Preference to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Understanding of Unreal Engine, including Blueprints, and a passion to apply it to solving real-world training and simulation challenges
• Proficiency in user experience (UI/UX) design and implementation
• Experience in secondary areas such as 3D animation and the level sequencer tool
• A keen eye for optimization potential across the entire development spectrum

Junior Technical Artist Application materials:

• Resume with link to your portfolio site
• Cover Letter stating why you are interested in working at Virtual Heroes/ARA

Company Information:

At Virtual Heroes we create immersive, 3D interactive learning solutions and high-fidelity synthetic virtual environments. As a division of Applied Research Associates (ARA), we work with scientists and engineers of many disciplines and diverse backgrounds to enhance the creativity and innovation of the mission-critical solutions we provide to our customers.

ARA is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems. Founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979, ARA currently employs over 1700 professionals and is rapidly growing. Our culture supports our exceptional staff of valued employees and encourages professional growth through continued higher education, participation and publication at technical conferences, and membership in professional organizations. As an ARA employee, you are encouraged to generate new ideas and bring those ideas to life. ARA offers competitive salaries and outstanding benefits including stock ownership, medical and dental coverage, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) profit-sharing plan, and annual bonuses. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at http://careers.ara.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)