Lead Character Artist - 3D Modeling

Placements24; Kimberley; Híbrido; CAD 46.000 - 77.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Competitive salary

Hybrid work

Health benefits

Paid time off

Professional development

Studio in Kimberley

Northern Cape impact

Conference attendance

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is recruiting a Lead Character Artist to spearhead the character art team for upcoming game titles. This hybrid role blends remote flexibility with essential in-studio collaboration to guide artistic direction and ensure top-quality models from concept to in-game assets.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in 3D character art for games, with leadership experience, a strong portfolio, and expert use of ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter/Designer and UE/Unity.

Formación

• 6+ years in 3D character art for games, with 2+ years in lead/supervisory roles.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating anatomy, sculpting, texturing and character pipeline knowledge.
• Proficiency in ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter/Designer, Photoshop; experience with UE/Unity.

Responsabilidades

• Lead and mentor character artists; provide artistic direction and feedback.
• Oversee high-quality 3D character models from concept to in-game assets.
• Collaborate with concept artists, designers and art directors on aesthetics.
• Maintain character art style guides and pipelines.
• Optimize character assets for performance across platforms.

Conocimientos

3D character modeling

Character rigging

Leadership

Art direction

Portfolio showcase

Communication

Hybrid collaboration

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts / related field

Herramientas

ZBrush

Maya

Substance Painter/Designer

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a critically acclaimed game development studio based in Kimberley, Northern Cape, ZA, is seeking an accomplished Lead Character Artist to join their talented team. This hybrid role allows for a blend of remote flexibility and essential in-studio collaboration, enabling you to contribute your exceptional 3D modeling skills to create memorable and visually stunning characters for our upcoming titles. You will be responsible for guiding the character art team, setting the artistic direction, and ensuring the highest quality in character creation from concept to final in-game asset. If you have a deep passion for character design, a mastery of 3D modeling techniques, and a proven ability to lead and inspire artists, this is an ideal opportunity to make a significant impact on the gaming industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of character artists, providing artistic direction, feedback, and technical guidance.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality 3D character models, including sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, texturing, and rigging preparation.
• Collaborate closely with concept artists, game designers, and art directors to define character aesthetics and ensure alignment with project vision.
• Establish and maintain character art style guides and technical pipelines.
• Ensure character assets are optimized for performance across target platforms while maintaining visual fidelity.
• Review and approve character art assets, ensuring they meet quality standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges in the character art pipeline.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in character modeling techniques, software, and real-time rendering technology.
• Contribute to the overall artistic vision and quality of the game's characters.
• Manage character art production schedules and resource allocation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, 3D Animation, Computer Graphics, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in 3D character art for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional 3D character modeling, texturing, and an understanding of anatomy and form.
• Expert proficiency in ZBrush, Maya, and texturing software such as Substance Painter/Designer and Photoshop.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and PBR workflows.
• Strong understanding of character rigging, animation principles, and performance optimization.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote and in-office collaboration.
• A passion for character design and video games.
• Proven ability to manage team workflows and deliver high-quality assets on time.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for performance bonuses.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility and collaboration.
• Opportunity to work on exciting and visually distinctive game titles.
• Access to industry-leading software and hardware.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowance.
• Professional development opportunities and conference attendance.
• A creative and supportive studio environment in Kimberley.
• Contribute to the creative and technological advancement in the Northern Cape.