Unreal Engine Team Lead

Kavaliro is seeking an Unreal Engine Team Lead for our local Jacksonville client who will play a central role in guiding the technical direction of the 3D Modeling department, mentoring team members, and streamlining production processes to ensure top-quality results. Working closely with the Production Manager, this position bridges creative vision and operational execution overseeing schedules, budgets, and deliverables while promoting continuous improvement and professional growth within the team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical and strategic leadership to the 3D Modeling team.
  
  
• Oversee daily operations and manage available resources for optimal efficiency.
  
  
• Ensure technical accuracy and artistic quality across all project deliverables.
  
  
• Support budget management and cost control throughout production.
  
  
• Contribute to business development efforts and assist with proposal creation.
  
  
• Drive process refinement and innovation to enhance team performance and workflow.
  
  

Role Overview As Unreal Engine Team Lead, you ll direct the production of real-time 3D simulation software used for railroad engineer training and certification. Your leadership will ensure our virtual environments meet high visual and technical standards. Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing environment and terrain development, using public GIS databases and client-provided data (such as Track Charts, CAD layouts, GIS shapefiles, and elevation data) to accurately recreate track networks and landscapes.
  
  
• Managing the 3D asset pipeline, guiding the team through modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering to produce immersive, realistic environments.
  
  
• Coordinating CGI resources to deliver detailed cityscapes and landscapes that elevate the simulation experience.
  
  

Qualifications Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of 3D environment creation and graphics generation.
  
  
• Proficiency in Blender, or equivalent expertise in Autodesk Maya or 3ds Max.
  
  
• Skilled in UV mapping/unwrapping for optimized texture workflows.
  
  
• Advanced use of Substance Painter for surface detailing and texture realism.
  
  
• Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine, including Blueprints and Data Assets.
  
  
• Ability to write or adapt scripts in Python, C++, Perl, or JavaScript.
  
  
• Familiarity with GIS software (Global Mapper, QGIS, or ArcGIS) and geospatial data manipulation.
  
  

Soft Skills

• Proven leadership abilities and a collaborative mindset.
  
  
• Creative and solution-oriented, with the ability to troubleshoot both artistic and technical challenges.
  
  
• Excellent communicator comfortable interpreting complex requirements and providing clear feedback.
  
  
• Capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced production environment.
  
  
• Proficient in English (written and verbal) and in Windows-based systems.
  
  
• Knowledge of railway systems or simulation environments is a plus.
  
  
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Kavaliro provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Kavaliro is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Kavaliro will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please respond to this posting to connect with a company representative.