Lead 3D Environment Artist — AAA Games, Mentorship

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

AAA titles project exposure

Polokwane studio location

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead 3D Modeler, specializing in environment art, to head a team creating immersive game environments for upcoming titles. You will guide the modeling, texturing, and optimization process, setting styles and benchmarks in collaboration with art leadership.

You’ll mentor artists, manage workflows, and ensure assets meet performance targets while delivering visually stunning environments for a Polokwane studio project.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience in 3D modeling for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role focused on environment art.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional 3D environment modeling skills, including hard-surface and organic modeling, and advanced texturing (PBR).
• Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, and Substance Painter/Designer.
• Experience with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity; understanding of asset integration.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; able to motivate a team.
• Degree in Game Art, 3D Art, Computer Graphics, or related field; or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 3D environment artists, fostering collaboration and productivity.
• Define and maintain artistic quality and technical standards for all environmental assets.
• Oversee creation of high-quality 3D models for environments including props, architecture, terrain, and foliage.
• Ensure assets are optimized for performance within game engine (polygon count, texture memory).
• Collaborate with Art Directors and Level Designers to translate concepts into visually rich environments.
• Develop and implement efficient modeling and texturing pipelines and workflows.
• Provide constructive feedback on artistic execution and technical implementation.
• Participate in asset reviews and ensure consistency across environmental elements.
• Stay updated with latest 3D environment art trends and game development technologies.
• Contribute to recruitment and training of new environment art team members.

Skills

Leadership

Environment art

3D modeling

PBR texturing

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's or degree in Game Art/3D Art/CG

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

ZBrush

Substance Painter/Designer

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead 3D Modeler, specializing in environment art, to head a team creating immersive game environments for upcoming titles. You will guide the modeling, texturing, and optimization process, setting styles and benchmarks in collaboration with art leadership.

You’ll mentor artists, manage workflows, and ensure assets meet performance targets while delivering visually stunning environments for a Polokwane studio project.