Lead 3D Modeler - Character Art

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead 3D Modeler in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA, to helm a team of character artists shaping flagship game titles with high-fidelity models.

You will guide artistic direction, ensure technical quality, and optimize assets for real-time performance while collaborating across concept, art, and animation teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in 3D character modeling for games.
• At least 2 years in leadership roles.
• Strong portfolio: high/low-poly, sculpting, texturing, PBR.
• Proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Marmoset, Photoshop.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D character modelers.
• Oversee creation of game-ready character models from concept to implementation.
• Maintain art style consistency and quality standards for character assets.
• Collaborate with concept artists, art directors, animators, and tech artists.
• Develop and refine modeling workflows, tools, and techniques.
• Review and provide feedback on character models.
• Ensure models are optimized for real-time performance.
• Participate in art team meetings and contribute to artistic vision.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

3D modeling

PBR workflows

Maya

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Marmoset Toolbag

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Anatomy knowledge

Character art

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Marmoset Toolbag

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly acclaimed game development studio, is seeking an exceptional Lead 3D Modeler specializing in character art to join their talented team in **Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA**. This pivotal role involves overseeing the creation of high-fidelity character models that define the visual identity of their flagship titles. You will lead a team of skilled modelers, guide artistic direction, and ensure the technical quality and performance of all character assets. The ideal candidate possesses a masterful understanding of anatomy, form, and artistic styling, combined with deep technical expertise in 3D modeling software and workflows. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact on visually stunning games and mentor emerging talent.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of 3D character modelers, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality, game-ready character models from concept to implementation.
• Establish and maintain art style consistency and quality standards for all character assets.
• Collaborate closely with concept artists, art directors, animators, and technical artists to achieve project goals.
• Develop and refine modeling workflows, tools, and techniques to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on character models created by the team.
• Ensure character models are optimized for real-time performance while meeting visual fidelity requirements.
• Participate in art team meetings and contribute to the overall artistic vision of the project.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in 3D character modeling for video games, with at least 2 years in a leadership or senior role.
• Exceptional portfolio demonstrating mastery of high-poly and low-poly modeling, sculpting, texturing, and PBR workflows.
• Expert proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Marmoset Toolbag, and Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and silhouette.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and understanding of character rigging and animation pipelines.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide clear and constructive feedback to team members.
• Passion for video games and a keen eye for visual detail and artistic quality.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, retirement savings plans, and generous paid time off. Employees will enjoy access to state-of-the‑art facilities in **Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA**, and opportunities for professional growth and skill development. Join a passionate and talented team dedicated to creating unforgettable gaming experiences and contribute to the cutting edge of character art.