Lead Environment Artist - World Building

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Hybrid role

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, Gauteng is seeking a Lead Environment Artist to define and drive the visual style of our game environments. You will lead a team of environment artists, shaping assets, set dressing, and world-building across levels.

You will collaborate with level designers and art directors, translate concepts into immersive spaces, and ensure technical excellence and performance. A strong foundation in architecture, lighting, and composition is essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in environment art for video games.
• 3+ years in a lead or senior role leading art teams.
• Expert in Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, and Substance Suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of environment artists through the project lifecycle.
• Oversee creation of high-quality environment assets: modeling, texturing, and materials.
• Define visual style and maintain quality across all environments.
• Collaborate with level designers to block out, build, and polish levels.
• Develop pipelines, tools, and workflows for environment art.

Skills

Environment art

Lead team leadership

Concept to space translation

Architecture/lighting/composition

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts / Game Design

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

ZBrush

Substance Suite

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a studio acclaimed for its expansive and immersive game worlds, is seeking an experienced Lead Environment Artist to spearhead their efforts in Benoni, Gauteng . This role is central to defining and executing the visual style of our game environments, from sprawling landscapes to intricate interior spaces. You will lead a talented team of environment artists, guiding them in the creation of assets, set dressing, and the overall world-building process. The ideal candidate is a visionary artist with a strong technical foundation, capable of translating concepts into tangible, breathtaking game spaces. A deep understanding of architecture, natural forms, lighting, and composition is essential. You will collaborate closely with level designers, art directors, and other disciplines to ensure cohesive and engaging player experiences. This is a premier opportunity to shape the virtual worlds players will explore.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of environment artists throughout the project lifecycle. Oversee the creation of high-quality environment assets, including modeling, texturing, and material creation. Define and maintain the visual style and quality bar for all game environments. Collaborate with level designers to block out, build, and polish game levels. Implement and optimize environment assets within the game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity). Ensure consistency in art direction, technical execution, and performance across all environments. Develop and refine environment art pipelines, tools, and workflows. Conduct art reviews, provide constructive feedback, and guide artistic decision-making. Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in environment art and game development.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years of experience in environment art for video games, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role. Proven track record of leading art teams and delivering high-quality environments for AAA or comparable titles. Expert proficiency in 3D modeling and texturing software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Suite). Strong experience with modern game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their environment creation tools. Excellent understanding of art fundamentals, including composition, color theory, lighting, and architectural design. Experience with set dressing, procedural generation techniques, and foliage creation is a plus. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex art assets and pipelines. Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. This hybrid role provides flexibility, allowing you to balance remote work with in-office collaboration at our studio in Benoni, Gauteng . You will benefit from access to cutting-edge technology, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a dynamic work culture that values creativity and teamwork. Join a passionate studio dedicated to building memorable worlds and experiences, and play a key role in shaping the visual identity of our ambitious projects.