Character Artist - EA Sports FC

Electronic Arts; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation (3 weeks/yr)

Sick time (10 days/yr)

EI/QPIP top-up to base salary

Extended health/dental/vision

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Electronic Arts is seeking a skilled Character Artist to build high-fidelity character models for the EA SPORTS titles. You will sculpt, texture, and optimize assets from concept to in-game implementation, delivering photoreal results that fit our diverse character roster.

You’ll collaborate with art and tech teams to push visual quality, iterate quickly from references to final textures, and contribute to character clothing, hair, and accessories to expand the game’s world.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of industry character creation production.
• High-fidelity 3D modeling, sculpting, and bake from high-poly to low-poly.
• Proficiency with Maya, ZBrush and Photoshop.
• Knowledge of PBR texture and material workflows.
• Ability to author photo-realistic textures (Substance Painter/Designer a plus).
• Experience with game engines (Unreal, Frostbite, Unity).
• Three-dimensional visualization from limited references or concept art.
• Knowledge of cloth and clothing creation for character styling.
• Excellent UV layout and texture mapping for maximum visual payoff.
• Concept-to-model experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create character models that populate the game world from scans, references, or traditional 3D methods.
• Texture, shade and refine characters to achieve photoreal quality.
• Collaborate with art, animation and design teams to ensure consistency with style and gameplay.
• Contribute to accessories, outfits, hair, and headgear to expand character roster.

Skills

Character creation

High-poly to low-poly

Maya

ZBrush

Photoshop

PBR textures

Substance Painter/Designer

Unreal/Frostbite/Unity

UV layout

Rigging basics

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Photoshop

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Unreal

Frostbite

Unity

Job description

Role ID

215358

Worker Type

Regular Employee

Studio/Department

Work Model

Hybrid

Description & Requirements

Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

As one of the largest sports entertainment platforms in the world, EA SPORTS FC is redefining football with genre-leading interactive experiences, connecting a global community of fans to The World's Game through innovation and unrivaled authenticity.

With more opportunity than ever to design, innovate and create new, immersive experiences that bring joy, inclusivity, and connection to fans everywhere, we invite you to join our passionate and dynamic team as we pioneer the future of football fandom. The EA SPORTS ART team is a global community of content creators covering Characters, Environments, Lighting, Project Management, Technical Art, and Visual Effects. Fueled by imagination and a unified passion to grow the love of sports for players worldwide, we push visual boundaries and create leading edge content. Serving our broad portfolio of sports titles, we create amazing games for hundreds of millions of sports fans worldwide through inspiring visuals and immersive experiences. We are a diverse group that encourages team members to bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table.

Your Responsibilities

The character artist plays an important role in top-tier video game creation. In the context of our games, they create the cast of characters that populate the game universe. Our character artists are dynamic and efficient modelers with sculpting and texturing skills - able to create outstanding content with an imagination that is constantly in motion. We create amazing character models based on scan data, photo references or traditional 3d means.

Committed to supporting our games with the creation of amazing Content, the EA Sports Art Characters team enriches players' experience with a cast of characters and a variety of character accessories such as full body outfits, hair and headgear. You will report to the project Development Manager or Development Director.

Your Qualifications

• Experienced with 3+ year of industry character creation production
• Experience in high-fidelity 3D modeling / sculpting techniques, along with high-poly to low-poly surface/detail baking.
• Experience in Maya, Z-Brush and Photoshop.
• Experience in physical materials and how to replicate them in CG.
• Knowledgeable of PBR texture / material workflows.
• Experience with your ability to author photo-realistic textures (Substance Painter / Designer experience is a plus).
• Experienced in working with content-driven game engines (e.g. Unreal, Frostbite, Unity).
• Visualize in three-dimensions and work from limited reference material / concept art
• Experienced in creating game resolution topology with considerations for deformation and rigging.
• Knowledgeable in the creation of cloth and clothing and how you should match the character style.
• Expert in high-fidelity 3D modeling / sculpting techniques, along with high-poly to low-poly surface/detail baking.
• Efficient in use of UV layout, and ability to edit for highest visual payoff.
• Photo-real character modeling and texturing - hair, clothing, anatomy, and likeness. showing UV layout and all maps.
• Concept to model experience is a plus.

Pay Transparency - North America

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).

PAY RANGES

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.

For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including

• vacation (3 weeks per year to start)
• 10 days per year of sick time
• paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave)
• extended health/dental/vision coverage
• life insurance
• disability insurance
• retirement plan to regular full-time employees.
• Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.

About Electronic Arts

We're proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.

We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.