Experienced Character Artist

Frontier Developments; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Share options

Life assurance

Private family healthcare

Flexitime

Job summary

Frontier Developments, a renowned independent game studio, invites an Experienced Character Artist to join our Cambridge-based team on a hybrid schedule (minimum 3 days in studio). You will deliver polished, game-ready character and creature assets from concept to implementation, mentor junior artists, and help tighten workflows and quality standards across the department.

You should be proficient with ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter and Photoshop, with a strong grasp of anatomy, topology and

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high-quality game-ready character/creature assets.
• Expert knowledge of sculpting, modelling, topology, UVs, baking, texturing and game-engine integration.
• Deep understanding of anatomy, proportion, form, deformation and visual storytelling.
• Proficiency with industry-standard tools: ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop.
• Comfortable debugging pipeline and software issues and suggesting improvements.

Responsibilities

• Create polished, optimised 3D character and creature assets from concept to implementation.
• Mentor and support junior character artists, helping to grow team skill and confidence.
• Collaborate with leads, producers, and outsourcing partners to align on goals, schedules and priorities.
• Troubleshoot technical and artistic issues and share solutions with the wider team.
• Drive improvements in workflows and maintain/update project documentation.

Skills

Character art

Sculpting

Modelling

Topology

UV mapping

Texturing

Baking

Anatomy knowledge

Game engine integration

ZBrush

Maya

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Mentoring

Feedback

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

ZBrush

Maya

Substance Painter

Photoshop

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.

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

The Experienced Character Artist will be responsible for delivering high-quality, game-ready character and creature assets, while also taking a proactive role in mentoring, problem-solving, and improving the wider team’s workflows and quality standards.

This role will act as a key contributor and a point of support within the team, representing character art when required and supporting leads and production with planning, outsourcing feedback, and documentation. The Experienced Character Artist should consistently demonstrate artistic excellence, technical understanding, and leadership through collaboration.

• Create polished, optimised 3D character and creature assets from concept to implementation.
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to responsibility, confidently taking ownership of work, driving outcomes, and contributing to team success with minimal supervision.
• Support and influence others through constructive feedback, collaboration, and cross-functional communication, acting as a positive role model regardless of prior leadership experience.
• Collaborate closely with leads and producers to understand project goals, schedules, and priorities.
• Mentor and support junior character artists, helping to grow team skill and confidence.
• Troubleshoot technical and artistic issues and share solutions with the wider team.
• Drive improvements in workflows and contribute to maintaining or updating documentation.
• Help write briefs and provide clear, actionable feedback to outsourcing vendors.
• Maintain a neat, clear, and organised working practice to enable asset sharing and collaborative handovers.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Experience delivering high-quality game-ready character/creature assets.
• Expert knowledge of sculpting, modelling, topology, UVs, baking, texturing, and experience with checking assets into game-engine.
• Deep understanding of anatomy, proportion, form, deformation, and visual storytelling.
• Strong proficiency with industry-standard tools: ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop.
• Comfortable debugging pipeline and software issues, suggesting workarounds and improvements, as well as actively seeking out solutions from technical specialists when necessary.
• Ability to work independently and proactively contribute to team-wide goals.
• Experienced in giving and receiving feedback constructively, including mentoring and reviews.
• Able to represent the team externally and support leads in managing planning and outsourcing.
• Effective communication and collaboration across disciplines.

BONUS IF YOU HAVE

• Experience working on AAA titles or complex character systems.
• Familiarity with cloth, hair, and rigging workflows, with an understanding of what is required from character assets to support those systems.
• Experience creating or maintaining internal documentation.
• Passion for creatures and anatomy.
• Well-rounded traditional art skills, for example an aptitude for 2D drawing

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]