Graduate Character Artist

Frontier Developments; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Life assurance

Private family healthcare

Flexitime

Relocation support

Cycle to Work scheme

Bike servicing

Job summary

Frontier Developments in Cambridge is seeking a Graduate Character Artist to help create game-ready 3D characters across stylised and realistic styles. You will contribute to our ambitious roadmap, collaborating with fellow artists to deliver high-quality assets on schedule.

The role offers a hybrid setup (minimum 3 days in studio) and a relocation support package. Strong portfolio required with proficiency in Maya, ZBrush and Substance Painter.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to sculpt anatomically accurate characters across stylised and realistic styles.
• Strong collaboration and ability to take feedback from the team.
• Experience translating 2D concepts into 3D character models and making artistic decisions to refine designs.
• Familiarity with real-time character pipelines and ensuring optimized topology and UVs.

Responsibilities

• Create game-ready 3D models and textures using Maya, ZBrush and Substance Painter.
• Collaborate with fellow Character Artists to maintain high quality and deliver on time and budget.
• Suggest improvements to pipelines and workflows where appropriate.
• Participate actively in team meetings and contribute to the development process.

Skills

Anatomical sculpting

Organic sculpting

ZBrush

Maya

Substance Painter

Hand painting

3D character modelling

Pipeline awareness

Communication

Team collaboration

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Job description

Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap.

This role is offered on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid basis (minimum 3 days per week in the studio). We can provide a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to relocate.

We welcome applications from all, however please note that this role is not eligible for visa.

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

We’re looking for a Graduate Character Artist to join our team. As a company we produce a wide spectrum of subject matter from stunningly photorealistic animals to beautifully stylised characters, so populating our games is always a rewarding experience.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to our ambitious future roadmap of games.

*Please note that candidates invited to interview may be asked to complete a role-related assessment in their own time as part of the selection process. Further details regarding the expected time commitment will be provided in advance.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Creating game-ready 3D models and textures using Maya, ZBrush and Substance Painter.
• Collaborating with fellow Character Artists to maintain the highest quality throughout development by delivering models on budget, on time, and in the appropriate art style.
• Bringing a new perspective, and where appropriate, suggesting potential improvements to existing pipelines.
• Actively participating in team meetings and contributing to the overall development process.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Demonstrated expertise in anatomical and organic sculpting from reference, with a portfolio showcasing work across both stylised and realistic art styles.
• Ability to work collaboratively and take on feedback and guidance from the rest of the team.
• Experience with translating 2D concepts or reference into 3D Character models. Making artistic decisions to troubleshoot the transformative process and refine the final 3D design.
• Ability to adapt to and work within established art styles, ensuring consistency with the concept art.
• An exceptional level of character modelling in ZBrush.
• Extensive knowledge of preferred 3D packages such as Maya.
• Excellent Substance Painter texturing skills and hand painting.
• Familiarity with the entire real-time character pipeline from high-poly sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, baking, texture creation and ending in the set up and exporting of assets to game.
• An awareness of the importance of efficient UV layouts and mesh topology, to ensure that character models are optimised for performance, budgets, and deform well when animated.
• An understanding of development pipelines, including how your work will be used in dependent disciplines.
• Excellent communication skills are essential.

BONUS IF YOU HAVE

• Solid foundational art skills such as 2D drawing.
• An Art degree or relevant game art course.
• Genuine passion for sculpting creatures.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative and inclusive environment. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.
Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we can support our people. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and provide a range of wellbeing activities, initiatives and sessions to support both mental and physical health.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a success-based annual bonus, share option schemes, life assurance, private family healthcare, flexitime working hours, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, in-house subsidised catering, support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, free bike servicing, and social activities and events.
We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential. If you therefore need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative.
For queries, please email: [e-mail]