Lead 3D Environment Artist (Game Development)

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,501,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Home-office stipend

Professional development

Performance bonuses

Distributed team environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead 3D Environment Artist to join a fully remote team and shape the visual identity of immersive game worlds. You will guide a distributed team of environment artists, design and optimize environments from your home office, and uphold artistic excellence.

We expect a strong portfolio, 7+ years in game environment art with leadership experience, and proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and major game engines.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in 3D environment art for video games.
• 2+ years in lead or senior role.
• Strong portfolio with environment art, lighting, composition.
• Proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and game engines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D environment artists.
• Oversee creation of high-quality environments with Art Direction.
• Develop and implement efficient environment art pipelines.
• Collaborate with level designers and technical artists.
• Manage asset creation schedules and review progress.
• Stay updated on trends in 3D environment art.
• Contribute to the game’s artistic vision.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Art direction

Environment art

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or related field

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Unreal Engine

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking game development studio, is actively seeking a Lead 3D Environment Artist to join their fully remote team. This is a premier opportunity for a seasoned artist to shape the visual identity of immersive game worlds and guide a talented team of environment artists. As a remote-first position, you will leverage cutting-edge collaborative tools to design, build, and optimize stunning 3D environments from your home office. If you have a passion for creating believable and captivating virtual spaces, a deep understanding of environment art pipelines, and proven leadership capabilities, we want to hear from you. You will play a critical role in bringing our client's ambitious game projects to life, contributing significantly to their reputation for artistic excellence in the competitive gaming industry. This role demands creativity, technical skill, and the ability to inspire and direct a distributed art team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D environment artists, providing artistic direction, technical guidance, and constructive feedback.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality 3D environments, ensuring artistic consistency, attention to detail, and alignment with project style guides.
• Develop and implement efficient environment art pipelines and workflows, optimizing for performance in game engines.
• Collaborate closely with level designers, art directors, and technical artists to define environment aesthetics and functionality.
• Create benchmark environment assets, demonstrating artistic quality and technical best practices.
• Manage asset creation schedules and ensure timely delivery of environment art assets.
• Conduct regular art reviews, providing clear and actionable feedback to the environment art team.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in 3D environment art and game development.
• Contribute to the overall artistic vision and quality of the game.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, 3D Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in 3D environment art for video games, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional 3D environment art, including models, textures, lighting, and composition.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D modeling and texturing software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Expertise in game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity, including lighting, shaders, and optimization techniques.
• Solid understanding of art fundamentals, including composition, color theory, and form.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, vital for managing a remote team.
• Ability to provide clear artistic direction and solve complex environmental design challenges.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package tailored for remote professionals.
• This includes flexible working hours, allowing for excellent work-life balance and eliminating commute times.
• A generous stipend for home office setup will be provided to ensure you have a productive workspace.
• Opportunities for professional development, including access to online training and virtual industry events, are readily available.
• You will join a collaborative and supportive distributed team that fosters creativity and innovation.
• Performance-based bonuses and other standard employment benefits are included.
• This is an outstanding opportunity to lead artistic development in the gaming sector from a remote location, contributing to impactful projects.