Lead Character Artist

Impleo; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Bonus/Equity potential

401(k) and stock purchase program

Comprehensive insurance coverage

Paid holidays

Job summary

Impleo is seeking a Lead Character Artist based in the United States to define visual direction for AAA character development. You will lead a team, mentor artists, and set artistic and technical standards while collaborating with multiple disciplines and external partners to produce high-quality assets.

You will shape workflows, supervise asset creation, and ensure alignment with project goals, gameplay needs, and production schedules in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in video game industry with at least two shipped titles as a Character Artist.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring teams of character artists.
• Expert proficiency with 3D creation and character development tools listed.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, coach and mentor a team of character artists.
• Establish high artistic standards for character development within Unreal Engine.
• Collaborate with Art Directors, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, Animation and Engineering.
• Partner with external teams to coordinate asset production and outsourcing.
• Contribute to pipelines and monitor output to improve efficiency and quality.
• Provide feedback and maintain a collaborative, high-performing environment.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentoring

Character art

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Art direction

Emotionally intelligent

Tools

3ds Max

Maya

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Marvelous Designer

Unreal Engine

Job description

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for aLead Character Artist based in United States.

As Lead Character Artist, you will help define the visual direction and quality standards for character development on a major AAA game project. You will lead, mentor, and develop a talented team of character artists while setting a high bar for artistic and technical excellence. Working closely with Art, Design, Gameplay, Animation, Environment, and Engineering teams, you will help bring distinctive stylized characters to life. You will establish workflows, create exemplary assets, and ensure character work meets aesthetic, gameplay, and technical requirements. The role also includes collaboration with external development partners and oversight of production pipelines. This is an opportunity to make a significant creative impact within a collaborative, ambitious game development environment.

Accountabilities:

• Lead, manage, coach, and mentor a team of character artists, supporting their professional development, artistic growth, and quality of output.
• Establish and maintain high artistic standards for character development within Unreal Engine, including workflows, guidelines, and exemplary reference assets.
• Collaborate closely with Art Directors, Directors, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, Animation, and other disciplines to prototype and develop character assets aligned with project goals.
• Partner with external development and outsourcing teams to assign, schedule, review, and coordinate character asset production.
• Contribute to material and character art pipelines, monitor team output, and help identify opportunities to improve production efficiency and quality.
• Supervise bug distribution and resolution while providing input into custom tools, software, and technical solutions that support the character art team.
• Stay current with relevant technologies and production techniques, helping the team overcome creative and technical challenges.
• Provide constructive feedback, communicate priorities clearly, and help maintain a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing team environment.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of professional experience in the video game industry, including at least two shipped titles as a Character Artist; first-person game experience is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading, managing, mentoring, and developing teams of character artists.
• Expert proficiency with 3D creation and character development tools such as 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Marvelous Designer, and Unreal Engine.
• Strong mastery of PBR workflows and texture creation, including baking processes, Substance Painter, and Photoshop.
• Exceptional traditional art knowledge, with advanced understanding of human anatomy, proportion, composition, volume, lighting, and color.
• Strong cross-disciplinary collaboration skills and the ability to communicate complex artistic and technical concepts clearly to varied audiences.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach, with the ability to maintain quality and effectiveness amid changing priorities, ambiguity, and production pressure.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence, active listening, and the ability to build trust across teams while delivering and receiving constructive feedback.
• Strong ownership and organizational skills, with a meticulous eye for detail and a commitment to driving work forward autonomously.
• A collaborative mindset, positive attitude, and commitment to maintaining a supportive team culture while pursuing ambitious creative standards.
• Professional proficiency in both French and English is required for candidates located in Quebec, including the ability to collaborate with U.S. and international teams and work with specialized technical documentation.
• Base salary in California of approximately $150,400–$180,000 USD per year, with compensation varying based on location, skills, experience, and other relevant factors.
• Potential additional compensation through bonuses and/or equity awards.
• Eligibility for a 401(k) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage.
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Paid vacation of approximately 15–25 days per year, or eligibility for a discretionary time-off program.
• Up to 10 paid sick days annually.
• Paid parental and compassionate leave.
• Mental health and broader wellbeing support programs.
• Family planning support.
• Commuter benefits and fitness-related expense reimbursements.
• Remote work flexibility.
• A collaborative environment focused on creativity, innovation, professional growth, and delivering high-quality AAA gaming experiences.