Lead Character Modeler

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Remote; ZAR 1,334,000 - 2,167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Health insurance

PTO & holidays

Career growth

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a renowned game development studio to recruit a Lead Character Modeler for a fully remote position. You will steer a team of modelers to produce high-quality, game-ready characters aligned with the art direction and technical constraints.

The role demands deep expertise in 3D character modeling, strong leadership capabilities, and proficiency with industry tools. Remote-first company offers flexible collaboration and opportunities to influence major game titles.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in 3D character modeling for games.
• 至少3 years in lead or supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of character modelers, providing direction.
• Oversee creation of high-fidelity, game-ready character models.
• Develop and implement efficient modeling workflows and best practices.
• Collaborate with concept artists, art directors, and technical artists.
• Review and provide feedback on character models from the team.
• Manage asset creation from concept to in-game implementation.
• Troubleshoot topology, UVs, and texturing issues.
• Stay updated on trends in character modeling and game art.

Skills

Character modeling

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

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.