Lead Character Modeler

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote work

Health insurance

Career growth opportunities

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Collaborative virtual environment

Exciting game projects

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Character Modeler for a fully remote role in the game development space. You will lead a team of modelers to deliver high-fidelity, game-ready character assets that align with art direction and engine requirements.

You will mentor artists, optimize workflows, collaborate with concept artists and technical artists, and help shape the visual identity of upcoming titles while working from your preferred location with a remote-first studio culture.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of 3D character modeling for games.
• 3+ years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Portfolio showcasing high-fidelity character work and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of character modelers with technical and artistic guidance.
• Oversee production of high-fidelity, game-ready character models meeting art and technical constraints.
• Develop and implement efficient modeling workflows and best practices.
• Collaborate with concept artists, art directors, and technical artists to ensure model integrity and performance.
• Review team work and provide constructive feedback on character models.
• Manage asset creation from concept to in-engine implementation.
• Troubleshoot topology, UVs, and texturing issues as needed.
• Stay updated on trends in character modeling and game art.

Skills

Character modeling

Leadership

Pipeline optimization

Game engines

Art direction

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

3ds Max

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned game development studio celebrated for its immersive worlds and compelling characters, is seeking a Lead Character Modeler to join their fully remote team. This position is central to bringing unforgettable characters to life through exceptional 3D modeling. You will lead a talented team of modelers, guiding them in creating high-quality, game-ready character assets that align with the game's art direction and technical requirements. The ideal candidate possesses a mastery of 3D modeling techniques, a keen artistic sensibility, and proven leadership capabilities to inspire and mentor. As a fully remote role, you'll enjoy the freedom to work from your preferred location, collaborating with a dedicated team through advanced digital tools. This is a unique opportunity to shape the visual identity of groundbreaking game titles and advance your career within a supportive, innovative, and remote-first company.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of character modelers, providing technical and artistic direction.
• Oversee the creation of high-fidelity, game-ready character models, ensuring adherence to art style, technical constraints, and production schedules.
• Develop and implement efficient modeling workflows and best practices.
• Collaborate closely with concept artists, art directors, and technical artists to ensure character models meet project vision and performance targets.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on character models produced by the team.
• Manage asset creation from initial concept to final implementation in the game engine.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to character topology, UVs, and texturing.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in character modeling and game art.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in 3D character modeling for video games, with at least 3 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Mastery of industry-standard 3D modeling software such as Maya, ZBrush, 3ds Max, or similar.
• Strong understanding of character anatomy, form, proportion, and silhouette.
• Proven experience with high-poly and low-poly modeling, UV unwrapping, and PBR texturing workflows.
• Experience with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Ability to provide clear, actionable feedback and guide artistic development.
• A portfolio showcasing exceptional character modeling skills and successful team leadership.
• Proficiency in a scripting language (e.g., Python) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary, reflecting your leadership and modeling expertise.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement within a leading game studio.
• Collaborative and creative virtual work environment.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowances.
• Contribution to a retirement savings plan.
• Involvement in exciting, high-profile game development projects.