Lead Artist / Character Animator

Utopian Game Labs Ltd.; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 34,000 - 62,000; Part time

Job summary

Utopian Game Labs Ltd. is seeking a hands-on Lead Artist / Character Animator for a confidential 3D action-adventure project. The role is remote, freelance/contractor, part-time initially with potential to grow, reporting to the Creative Director.

Core tasks include 3D character modelling, character animation, environment and prop modelling, texturing and materials, lighting, and Unreal Engine integration. Blender is supported; Unreal expertise essential.

Qualifications

• Hands-on lead role with focus on artistic and animation production.
• Expert Unreal Engine ability essential; familiarity with animation workflows.
• Proficiency in Blender or equivalent 3D tool and ability to integrate with Unreal.

Responsibilities

• 3D character modelling and sculpting.
• Character and creature animation.
• Environment and prop modelling.
• Texturing and material creation and optimisation.
• Lighting and scene presentation.
• Game-ready asset production.
• Importing, setting up and refining assets in Unreal Engine.
• Maintain visual consistency across the project.

Skills

Character animation

3D modelling

Lighting

Texturing

Asset production

Tools

Unreal Engine

Blender

Animation Blueprints

Control Rig

Sequencer

Job description

Confidential Original 3D Action-Adventure Project

Remote | Freelance / Contractor | Part-time initially, with potential to grow

We are looking for a talented, hands-on Lead Artist / Character Animator to join a small, family-sized independent team developing an original 3D action-adventure game currently in active production. The project is confidential at this stage, with further details shared with suitable applicants.

This is a genuine hands-on lead role, with around 70-80% of the work focused on artistic and animation production. You will help define and maintain the project’s visual standards while working directly with the Creative Director.

The core remit includes:

• 3D character modelling and sculpting


• Character and creature animation


• Environment and prop modelling


• Texturing and material creation and optimisation


• Lighting and scene presentation


• Game-ready asset production


• Importing, setting up and refining characters, animation and assets in Unreal Engine


• Reviewing visual work and helping maintain consistency across the project

Expert Unreal Engine ability is essential. You should be comfortable working independently inside Unreal with character/skeletal mesh setup, animation workflows, materials, lighting, scene assembly, optimisation, collision and troubleshooting. Experience with Animation Blueprints, Control Rig, Sequencer or related Unreal animation tools is particularly valuable.

We care far more about talent, speed, judgement, technical ability and what you can actually produce than the number of years you have worked in the industry. If you can create excellent art and animation, work quickly without sacrificing quality and use Unreal expertly, that matters more to us than whether you have five years’ experience or fifteen. A shipped PC or console title is desirable, but not essential.

We mainly use Blender, but your preferred professional toolset is welcome provided you can integrate effectively with Unreal. AI-assisted tools are used selectively for ideation and reference; final production artwork and animation must be professionally created, directed and refined.

The role is fully remote, with a weekly Microsoft Teams review. Initial engagement will be freelance/contractor based, with scope for longer-term involvement.