Lead 3D Environment Artist - AAA Gaming

Placements24; Graafwater; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional growth

Creative studio environment

AAA game projects

Team events

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead 3D Environment Artist to guide a team in creating immersive game worlds in Paarl, Western Cape. You will shape visual aesthetics, oversee assets, and ensure artistic consistency across projects.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in 3D environment art, with 2+ in a lead role, and strong leadership, communication, and engine experience with Unreal and Unity.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in 3D environment art for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven experience creating high-quality game environments for AAA titles.
• Expert proficiency in 3D modeling software (Maya, 3ds Max, Blender) and texturing tools (Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Strong understanding of game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) and their environment creation tools.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent artistic eye, with a strong sense of composition, color, and lighting.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D environment artists, providing artistic direction and feedback.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality 3D environment assets, including modeling, texturing, and lighting.
• Establish and maintain artistic standards and consistency across all environments.
• Collaborate with Art Director and leads to define and execute visual style.
• Develop and implement efficient workflows for environment asset creation and integration into the game engine.
• Ensure environments are technically optimized for performance across target platforms.
• Participate in art reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in 3D environment art.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to environment art production.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

BFA/BA in Art

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prestigious game development studio located in the scenic vineyards of **Paarl, Western Cape**, is seeking an experienced Lead 3D Environment Artist to guide their team in creating breathtaking game worlds. This role is central to defining the visual aesthetic and artistic quality of our environments. You will be responsible for overseeing the creation of high-fidelity 3D environments, ensuring artistic consistency, technical optimization, and adherence to project vision. The ideal candidate possesses a strong artistic foundation, exceptional leadership skills, and a deep understanding of modern game development pipelines. You will mentor junior artists, collaborate with art directors, and contribute to pushing the boundaries of visual fidelity in interactive entertainment. Join us in **Paarl** and help shape visually stunning gaming experiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D environment artists, providing artistic direction and feedback.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality 3D environment assets, including modeling, texturing, and lighting.
• Establish and maintain artistic standards and consistency across all environments.
• Collaborate closely with the Art Director and other leads to define and execute the visual style.
• Develop and implement efficient workflows for environment asset creation and integration into the game engine.
• Ensure environments are technically optimized for performance across target platforms.
• Participate in art reviews and provide constructive criticism to team members.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in 3D environment art.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to environment art production.
• Contribute to the overall visual quality and artistic vision of the game.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in 3D environment art for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven experience creating high-quality game environments for AAA titles.
• Expert proficiency in 3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Blender) and texturing tools (e.g., Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Strong understanding of game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their environment creation tools.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent artistic eye, with a strong sense of composition, color, and lighting.
• Ability to provide clear and constructive feedback.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Passion for creating visually stunning and immersive game worlds in the **Paarl** area.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional growth and skill development.
• A highly creative and collaborative studio environment in **Paarl, Western Cape**.
• Work on exciting, cutting-edge AAA game projects.
• Regular team events and social activities.