Lead VR Environment Artist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Performance bonus

Flexible hours

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead VR Environment Artist to spearhead the creation of immersive virtual worlds in Gauteng. You will guide a team of artists, define visual direction, and ensure high fidelity in VR environments while optimizing performance across engines like Unreal and Unity.

The role demands 8+ years of 3D environment work with leadership experience, a strong portfolio, and a passion for VR storytelling and gameplay.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years in 3D environment art with at least 3 years in lead or senior role.
• Proven experience creating high-quality VR assets and environments.
• Strong command of 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting tools.
• Solid understanding of VR performance optimization and pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of environment artists with artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Define and maintain the visual style and quality standards for VR environments.
• Develop and optimize 3D assets, textures, and lighting for VR experiences.
• Collaborate with designers, engineers, and producers to achieve project goals.
• Establish and refine environment art pipelines and workflows for VR development.
• Conduct regular art reviews and provide constructive feedback to the team.
• Manage asset creation schedules and ensure timely delivery of assets.
• Troubleshoot technical art challenges specific to VR development.
• Contribute to the overall artistic vision and game design of VR projects.

Skills

Leadership

Art direction

Team mentorship

VR optimization

Education

Fine Arts degree

Digital Art degree

Game Design degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering virtual reality development studio, is seeking a highly skilled Lead VR Environment Artist to spearhead the creation of breathtaking virtual worlds in Tembisa, Gauteng . This leadership position requires an artist with a visionary aesthetic and a profound understanding of VR development pipelines. You will be responsible for guiding a team of talented artists in crafting immersive, performant, and visually stunning VR environments that push the boundaries of immersion. Your role will involve defining the artistic direction, establishing best practices, and ensuring the highest quality of visual fidelity and user experience within our virtual spaces. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced artist to make a significant impact on the future of virtual reality storytelling and gameplay, contributing to projects that are redefining digital interaction. We value innovation and artistic excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of environment artists, providing artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Define and maintain the visual style and quality standards for VR environments.
• Develop and optimize 3D assets, textures, and lighting for immersive VR experiences.
• Collaborate closely with designers, engineers, and producers to realize project goals.
• Establish and refine environment art pipelines and workflows for VR development.
• Conduct regular art reviews, offering constructive feedback to the team.
• Manage asset creation schedules and ensure timely delivery of environment art assets.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical art challenges specific to VR development.
• Contribute to the overall artistic vision and game design of VR projects.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in 3D environment art, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven experience developing high-quality assets and environments for virtual reality platforms.
• Expertise in 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Strong understanding of VR performance optimization techniques and considerations.
• Proficiency with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, with a focus on VR development.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional VR environment art and leadership capabilities.
• Ability to translate conceptual ideas into compelling visual experiences.
• Degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or equivalent experience.
• Passion for VR technology and its potential to create engaging experiences.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, and a generous performance-based bonus structure. You'll be working in a modern studio located in Tembisa, Gauteng , equipped with the latest VR hardware and development tools. We provide a supportive and collaborative work atmosphere, opportunities for professional development, including attending industry conferences and VR expos. Other benefits include flexible working hours where possible, regular team social events, and the chance to be at the forefront of VR innovation. Your creative input will be highly valued, and you'll be part of a team pushing the boundaries of what's possible in virtual reality. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of growth and creativity.