Lead 3D Environment Artist

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid and retirement fund

Paid annual leave

Access to latest hardware and software

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead 3D Environment Artist to guide a team in creating immersive game environments in Tembisa, Gauteng. This on-site, full-time role emphasizes leadership, artistic direction, and collaboration with designers to translate concepts into high-fidelity environments.

The ideal candidate will have a robust portfolio, expert knowledge of PBR workflows, and proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance tools, and Unreal Engine or Unity.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in 3D environment art for video games.
• Experience in a lead or senior role with leadership responsibilities.
• Portfolio showcasing environment art including modeling, texturing, lighting, and composition.
• Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter/Designer, Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Deep understanding of PBR workflows and environmental storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D environment artists, providing guidance and feedback.
• Define and maintain the art style and quality standards for all in-game environments.
• Collaborate with level designers and art directors to translate concepts into detailed 3D environments.
• Oversee the creation of environment assets, including modeling, texturing, and lighting.
• Ensure optimization of environment assets for performance across platforms.
• Develop and refine environment art pipelines and best practices.
• Conduct regular reviews of work, ensuring consistency and high visual fidelity.
• Contribute artistically by creating high-quality environment assets.

Skills

Team leadership

3D environment art

Art direction

PBR workflows

Lighting

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic game development studio renowned for its immersive virtual worlds, is looking for a talented Lead 3D Environment Artist to join their team in Tembisa, Gauteng. This role is central to creating visually stunning and believable game environments that captivate players. You will be responsible for guiding a team of environment artists, establishing art direction for environments, and ensuring the technical and artistic quality of all environmental assets. If you have a passion for building breathtaking digital landscapes and a knack for leading creative individuals, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to award-winning game titles from our Tembisa, Gauteng studio. This is a full-time, on-site position, fostering close collaboration and team synergy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D environment artists, providing guidance and feedback.
• Define and maintain the art style and quality standards for all in-game environments.
• Collaborate with level designers and art directors to translate concepts into detailed 3D environments.
• Oversee the creation of environment assets, including modeling, texturing, and lighting.
• Ensure optimization of environment assets for performance across various platforms.
• Develop and refine environment art pipelines and best practices.
• Conduct regular reviews of work, ensuring consistency and high visual fidelity.
• Contribute artistically by creating high-quality environment assets.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in 3D environment art for video games.
• Proven experience in a lead or senior role, demonstrating leadership capabilities.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional environment art skills, including modeling, texturing, lighting, and composition.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter/Designer, and Unreal Engine/Unity.
• Deep understanding of PBR workflows, environmental storytelling, and technical art pipelines.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Experience with game development in Tembisa, Gauteng or South Africa is advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Paid annual leave and public holidays.
• Opportunities for career advancement and skill development.
• Be part of a passionate and innovative game development team in Tembisa, Gauteng.
• Access to the latest hardware and software tools.