Character Artist - EA Sports FC

Game Companies; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 78,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks vacation per year

10 days sick leave per year

Extended health/dental/vision coverage

Basic life insurance

Job summary

Electronic Arts is seeking a skilled Character Artist to join the EA SPORTS ART team in Vancouver. You will create high‑fidelity character models, sculpt textures, and build assets from scan data, references, and traditional 3D methods to advance our sports universe.

You will collaborate with designers, engineers, and other artists on content‑driven projects, optimize assets for engines like Unreal and Frostbite, and help push visual boundaries while upholding consistency and performance.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of industry character creation production.
• High-fidelity modeling and sculpting with high-poly to low-poly baking.
• Experience in Maya, ZBrush and Photoshop.
• Experience working with physical materials and CG replication.
• Knowledge of PBR texture/material workflows.
• Texture authorship using Substance Painter/Designer is a plus.
• Experience with content-driven game engines (Unreal, Frostbite, Unity).
• Ability to visualize in 3D from references/concept art.
• Experience creating game-ready topology for deformation and rigging.
• Cloth and clothing creation aligned to character style.
• UV layout proficiency for optimal visual payoff.
• Strong portfolio showing photo-real character modeling/texturing.

Responsibilities

• Create the cast of characters that populate the game world.
• Model, sculpt, and texture characters from scans, photo references, and traditional methods.
• Collaborate with Development Manager or Director to align on art direction.

Skills

Character modeling

High-fidelity modeling

3D sculpting

Texturing

Topology for deformation

UV mapping

Artistic references

Lighting and materials

Portfolio interpretation

Concept to model

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Photoshop

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Unreal

Frostbite

Unity

Job description

3D Art

2–5 years

Model Art

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.
• Portfolio Requirements:
• 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 * British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$77,700 - $107,900 CAD

Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. In Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, and extended health/dental/vision coverage and basic life insurance.

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.