Real Time Graphics Artist, Sports

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Versant Media is a technology-driven media organization that empowers creative teams to deliver high-impact content across platforms. Our Creative Operations department builds and supports the infrastructure behind real-time graphics used in live production environments. We’re looking for a Senior Real-Time Graphics Artist to help develop and expand real-time workflows running on Viz Engine and Unreal Engine for our sports and entertainment properties.

Role Overview

We are seeking a versatile, highly skilled, and leadership-oriented Real-Time Graphics Artist with significant experience in Sports and Entertainment to join our team. This hybrid "player-coach" role combines the creative mastery of a 3D Generalist and the technical precision of a Vizrt and Unreal Engine Technical Artist with the ability to lead and inspire a team of creators. You will be responsible for the end-to-end creation of high-fidelity visual assets, their implementation into real-time environments, and the management of the artists executing these projects.

The ideal candidate possesses the technical depth to optimize complex scenes for live production and an eye for visual storytelling, innovating new ways of displaying complex data.

Key Responsibilities

• Vizrt and Unreal Engine Integration: Build real-time scenes in Vizrt Artist.  Ensure all assets are correctly imported, rigged, and optimized within the engine and prescribed architecture is followed.
• Real-Time Visual Fidelity: Create immersive environments with high-fidelity models, custom PBR shading, and dynamic lighting solutions, ensuring a balance between high-end visual impact and strict performance efficiency within the Vizrt and Unreal Engine ecosystems.
• Blueprinting & Scripting: Build interactive logic and procedural systems using Vizrt scripts and Unreal Engine Blueprints to support live data integration and real-time graphics triggers.
• Optimization & Profiling: Conduct rigorous performance profiling to ensure consistent frame rates (60fps+) for live broadcast and large-scale video wall playback.
• Pipeline Development: Establish and maintain robust workflows between DCC tools (Maya/C4D/Blender) and real-time engines to streamline production.
• R&D: Stay at the forefront of real-time technology, exploring new features (Lumen, Nanite, PCG) to enhance our production capabilities.

Skills and qualifications

• Experience: 4+ years of experience in 3D and real-time production, with at least 2 years focused on the sports and entertainment markets.
• Real-Time: Vizrt, Unreal Engine.
• Scripting:  Basic scripting knowledge within the Vizrt ecosystem (VB Script, HTML5, JavaScript, TypeScript).
• DCC: Photoshop, After Effects, Maya, 3Ds Max, Cinema 4D, related design tools.
• Texturing: Substance Painter/Designer and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Rendering: Deep understanding of real-time rendering pipelines and GPU optimization.
• Templating:  VB Script, HTML5, Java Script, Type Script.
• Visual Excellence: A strong portfolio demonstrating a mastery of real-time graphics skills, including self-serve graphics, interactivity, and hyper photorealistic compositions.  
• Problem Solving: Exceptional ability to troubleshoot technical hurdles under the pressure of live production timelines.
• Hours:  Work extended or non-business hours as production requires.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with other real-time broadcast tools (e.g., Ross Xpression, Pixotope, or Zero Density).
• Knowledge of Python or C++ for engine-side customization.
• Experience with version control systems (Perforce, Git).
• Understanding of large-scale display technologies (LED Video Walls, Projection Mapping).

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

For LA County and City Residents Only: VERSANT Media will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.