Lead 3D Environment Artist

Placements24; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first environment

Flexible working hours

Professional development opportunities

Health, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead 3D Environment Artist to drive the visual quality and artistic direction of game environments from a remote location. You will lead a team of 3D artists, establish workflows, and ensure cohesive visuals across worlds and assets.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in environment art, strong leadership and a deep understanding of pipelines, game engines, and production-ready asset creation. Remote leadership offers flexible hours and collaboration with global teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of 3D environment art experience in games with 2+ years in lead role.
• Proven expertise in 3D modeling, texturing (PBR) and material creation (Maya/3ds Max/Blender).
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity for game integration and lighting.
• Strong composition, lighting and environmental storytelling abilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication and teamwork skills.
• Portfolio showing high-quality environment art and leadership examples.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D environment artists, providing artistic direction.
• Set high-quality art standards for all game environments.
• Create production-ready 3D environment assets, including modeling and texturing.
• Collaborate with level designers and art directors to translate concepts into spaces.
• Develop efficient workflows and pipelines for environment asset creation.
• Ensure consistency and quality across environmental elements, from structures to props.
• Review assets, provide feedback, and approve team work.
• Stay updated on new 3D environment tech and techniques.
• Contribute to overall art direction and visual storytelling.

Skills

Lead 3D environment art

3D modeling

Texturing

Material creation

Lighting

Environmental storytelling

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Game Art or related field

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking game development studio renowned for its immersive virtual worlds, is actively seeking a Lead 3D Environment Artist. This role is entirely remote, offering flexibility while maintaining a high level of creative contribution. You will be instrumental in defining the visual quality and artistic direction of game environments, leading a talented team of 3D artists. Your responsibilities will include creating stunning, production-ready 3D assets, establishing artistic benchmarks, and ensuring the cohesive visual narrative of game worlds. The ideal candidate is a seasoned artist with a deep understanding of environment art pipelines, asset creation, and game engine integration. This is a unique opportunity to shape compelling virtual landscapes from the comfort of your own workspace, contributing to groundbreaking projects within a globally connected team. If you excel at building breathtaking worlds and guiding artistic vision, this remote leadership role is perfect for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D environment artists, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Establish and maintain high-quality art standards for all game environments.
• Create and optimize production-ready 3D environment assets, including modeling, texturing, and material creation.
• Collaborate closely with level designers and art directors to translate concepts into immersive game spaces.
• Develop efficient workflows and pipelines for environment asset creation.
• Ensure consistency and quality across all environmental elements, from large structures to small props.
• Review art assets, provide constructive feedback, and approve work from the environment art team.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and techniques in 3D environment art and game development.
• Contribute to the overall art direction and visual storytelling of the game.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in 3D environment art for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior capacity.
• Proven expertise in 3D modeling, texturing (PBR workflows), and material creation tools (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Strong experience with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Exceptional understanding of composition, lighting, and environmental storytelling.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A strong portfolio showcasing high-quality 3D environment art and leadership examples.
• Ability to work independently and manage a remote team effectively.
• Degree in Game Art, 3D Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with modular environment design and asset optimization is crucial.

Benefits

• Highly competitive remote salary, earning up to R annually.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible working hours and a remote-first work environment.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Access to industry-leading software and development tools.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowances.
• Retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Performance bonuses and potential for profit sharing.