Lead Virtual Production Artist & Real-time Environment Specialist

Placements24; Kempton Park; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Health benefits

Online courses & conferences

Global distributed team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Virtual Production Artist & Real-time Environment Specialist to join their fully remote team. You will lead a team of environment artists, crafting immersive real-time environments for high-end productions.

The role requires expertise in Maya/Blender, Unreal/Unity, and a strong portfolio in real-time rendering. You will mentor, optimize pipelines, and collaborate with cinematographers to deliver visually stunning results from a remote setup.

Qualifications

• Extensive 3D environment art experience with real-time focus.
• Proven leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Strong portfolio of real-time environments and virtual production.

Responsibilities

• Lead art direction for real-time environments in virtual production.
• Mentor a team of environment artists.
• Develop and maintain high-quality 3D assets.
• Optimize assets for Unreal/Unity real-time rendering.
• Collaborate with TDs, cinematographers, and VFX teams.

Skills

Leadership

Real-time rendering

Art direction

Remote collaboration

Environment storytelling

Tools

Maya

Blender

ZBrush

Substance Suite

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering force in digital entertainment and virtual production, is seeking an exceptional Lead Virtual Production Artist & Real-time Environment Specialist to join their fully remote team. This senior role is central to creating breathtaking virtual environments and pushing the boundaries of real-time rendering technology. You will lead a team of talented artists in developing visually stunning, interactive worlds for high-end productions, leveraging cutting-edge tools and workflows. As a remote-first organization, we value strong communication, self-discipline, and a collaborative spirit. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of 3D environment art pipelines, virtual production techniques, and real-time rendering optimization. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of digital content creation from the comfort of your home, contributing to globally recognized projects.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the art direction and execution of real-time environments for virtual production projects. Mentor and guide a team of environment artists, providing constructive feedback and fostering artistic growth. Develop and maintain high-quality 3D assets, including terrain, props, foliage, and architectural elements. Optimize environment assets and scenes for real-time rendering engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) to achieve peak performance. Collaborate with technical directors to define and implement efficient asset pipelines and shaders. Work closely with virtual production supervisors and cinematographers to achieve desired visual aesthetics and storytelling. Ensure consistency in art style, quality, and technical execution across all environments. Research and advocate for new technologies and techniques in real-time graphics and virtual production. Manage asset libraries and ensure proper version control and documentation. Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to environment art and real-time rendering.

Requirements

Extensive experience in 3D environment art, with a significant portion focused on real-time applications and virtual production. Demonstrable leadership experience, including mentoring and managing artists. Expertise in 3D modeling, sculpting, texturing, and lighting software (e.g., Maya, Blender, ZBrush, Substance Suite, Photoshop). Advanced proficiency in real-time rendering engines like Unreal Engine or Unity. Strong understanding of PBR workflows, shader development, and performance optimization for real-time environments. Experience with virtual camera systems, motion capture, and other virtual production technologies. Excellent artistic eye for composition, color theory, and environmental storytelling. Proven ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative setting, with excellent communication skills. Portfolio showcasing exceptional real-time environment art and virtual production work. A passion for visual storytelling and pushing the envelope in digital art.

Benefits

As a fully remote position, we offer unparalleled flexibility. Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, opportunities for professional growth through online courses and conferences, and the chance to work on groundbreaking projects with a globally distributed team. We foster a culture of innovation and encourage artistic freedom. This role offers the ability to significantly impact the visual quality of our productions while maintaining the flexibility of a remote setup. Join us in defining the future of entertainment from Tembisa, Gauteng , and beyond.