3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

Side; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Side is a global video game development and services provider seeking a mid-level 3D Character Artist for its talent pool. This role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets for AAA-quality games across PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.

You will collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators, develop textures using industry-standard tools, and ensure assets meet technical and artistic goals. Prior project experience and strong collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a character artist in games.
• Contributed to at least one shipped title on PC/console/mobile/VR/AR.
• Proficient in ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Photoshop.
• Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading.
• Knowledge of topology, rigging, skinning, and anatomy.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character assets from concept to game-ready models.
• Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators.
• Develop textures and materials for cross-platform performance.
• Maintain consistent pipelines and workflows.
• Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning.
• Participate in team critiques and feedback loops.
• Contribute to multiple visual styles from realistic to stylized.

Skills

3+ years experience

Shipped title

Eye for detail

Adaptable to styles

Communication

Teamwork

Passion for gaming

Tools

ZBrush

Maya

3ds Max

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Marvelous Designer

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About Side

Side is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years’ experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 15+ studios in over a dozen countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

As a 3D Character Artist , you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring life and personality to our projects. This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept to final game-ready models.
• Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project’s artistic vision and technical requirements.
• Develop textures and materials using industry-standard tools, ensuring assets are optimized for performance across platforms.
• Work within established pipelines and workflows to maintain consistency and efficiency in asset creation.
• Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to character development.
• Actively participate in team critiques, offering and receiving feedback to refine assets.

Requirements

Experience :

• 3+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry.
• Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.

Technical Skills :

• Proficiency with ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and other industry-standard tools.
• Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design and animation.
• Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading techniques.
• Knowledge of proper topology, rigging, and skinning practices.

Artistic Skills :

• Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency.
• Ability to adapt to and create a range of visual styles, from realistic to stylized.

Collaboration Skills :

• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to incorporate feedback and iterate effectively.

Passion for Gaming : Genuine enthusiasm for creating compelling characters and contributing to immersive game worlds.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with Marvelous Designer for clothing design and simulation.
• Experience with photogrammetry and procedural workflows.
• Knowledge of Unreal Engine or Unity for integrating character assets into the game.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.