Lead 3D Environment Artist - Photoreal Mastery

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

Job summary

Room 8 Studio is seeking a Lead Artist to steer a team working on console and PC 3D realistic environments and hard surface assets. You will set the artistic vision, maintain high quality, and guide the team through the production pipeline.

The role requires strong leadership, deep knowledge of game pipelines, and proficiency in ZBrush, 3ds Max/Maya, Substance Painter/Designer, and major game engines. Excellent communication in English is essential.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience as a Lead Artist with a strong portfolio in 3D realistic environments or hard surface assets.
• Strategic mindset with drive to grow team and broader creative division.
• Deep knowledge of the game industry, modern art pipelines, and production standards.
• Strong artistic taste with eye for quality, consistency, and detail.
• Ability to evaluate creative work objectively and provide constructive, actionable feedback.
• Proven organizational and time-management skills—juggle multiple tasks, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Collaborative spirit and clear communicator in fast-paced, cross-functional teams.
• Upper-Intermediate+ English proficiency, both written and spoken.
• Proficiency in high-poly sculpting (ZBrush), modeling (3ds Max or Maya), UV unwrapping and packing, modular asset creation workflows.
• Strong texturing skills with Substance Painter, material authoring in Substance Designer, and tileable textures, trimsheets, multiple UV channels, and vertex painting.
• Experience importing assets and setting up materials in game engines (Unreal Engine 5, Unity, or Lumberyard) and translating concept art into production-ready assets.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects for console and PC in the realm of 3D realistic environments.
• Complete assigned tasks within the estimated time frame and deadlines, adhering to client references and technical specs.
• Collaborate with Art Producers and other specialists involved in project realization.
• Participate in estimation calculations of new projects and tests.
• Ensure the quality of the artists' work within the team.
• Assist in resolving artistic and technical issues within the team.
• Organize the team's work according to project requirements and specific tasks.
• Create technical specifications and guidelines.
• Model photorealistic environments and hard surface assets for games based on provided concepts and references.
• Create clean, low-resolution game topology, optimal UV mapping, and texture baking.
• Texture photoreal environments and assets.
• Work with game engines.
• Final assembly in line with requirements (scenes, files, naming).
• Research new programs and techniques emerging in the market.

Skills

Lead Artist

3D Environments

Hard Surface Assets

Team Leadership

Artistic Vision

Feedback & Mentoring

Time Management

English Proficiency

ZBrush

3ds Max/Maya

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Unreal Engine 5

Unity

Tools

ZBrush

3ds Max

Maya

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Unreal Engine 5

Unity

Job description

Room 8 Studio is seeking a Lead Artist to steer a team working on console and PC 3D realistic environments and hard surface assets. You will set the artistic vision, maintain high quality, and guide the team through the production pipeline.

The role requires strong leadership, deep knowledge of game pipelines, and proficiency in ZBrush, 3ds Max/Maya, Substance Painter/Designer, and major game engines. Excellent communication in English is essential.