Senior 3D Environment Artist - Virtual Production

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

On-site studio in Upington

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior 3D Environment Artist to join a forward-thinking virtual production studio in Upington, Northern Cape. You will lead creating immersive real-time environments for film, TV, and interactive media, from blocking to lighting and final integration in Unreal Engine.

Bring a strong portfolio, expertise in Maya/Blender, Substance Painter/Designer, Photoshop, and a solid grasp of photoreal lighting and optimization.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a 3D Environment Artist with a strong portfolio of game or VP environments.
• Expert proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Advanced skills in texturing and material creation using Substance Painter/Designer and Photoshop.
• In-depth knowledge of real-time rendering engines, particularly Unreal Engine, including lighting, materials, and optimization.
• Familiarity with virtual production pipelines and technologies is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of composition, form, color theory, and architectural principles.
• Experience with photogrammetry and 3D scanning is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for a dynamic team environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in 3D Art, Game Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality, game-ready 3D environment assets, including terrain, foliage, props, and architectural elements.
• Assemble and dress environments within real-time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine), ensuring artistic coherence and visual appeal.
• Develop and optimize PBR materials and textures for realistic environmental details.
• Collaborate with art directors, virtual production supervisors, and other artists to achieve the desired aesthetic and technical requirements.
• Implement efficient asset creation pipelines and workflows suitable for virtual production.
• Master lighting techniques within real-time engines to establish mood and atmosphere.
• Ensure environments are optimized for performance on target hardware and workflows.
• Contribute to the technical pipeline development for environment creation and integration.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in 3D environment art and virtual production technology.

Skills

Portfolio of game/VP environments

Real-time rendering knowledge

Collaboration in teams

Strong lighting and composition

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in 3D Art, Game Design, or related field

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Photogrammetry

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking virtual production studio, is seeking an experienced Senior 3D Environment Artist to join their innovative team in Upington, Northern Cape . This role is pivotal in creating immersive and realistic virtual environments for film, television, and interactive media using cutting-edge virtual production techniques. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of environment creation, from initial blocking and asset production to lighting and final integration within real-time engines. The ideal candidate possesses a strong artistic sensibility, exceptional technical skills in 3D modeling, texturing, and a deep understanding of real-time rendering and virtual production workflows. Join us to build breathtaking virtual worlds that redefine storytelling.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality, game-ready 3D environment assets, including terrain, foliage, props, and architectural elements.
• Assemble and dress environments within real-time engines (e.g., Unreal Engine), ensuring artistic coherence and visual appeal.
• Develop and optimize PBR materials and textures for realistic environmental details.
• Collaborate with art directors, virtual production supervisors, and other artists to achieve the desired aesthetic and technical requirements.
• Implement efficient asset creation pipelines and workflows suitable for virtual production.
• Master lighting techniques within real-time engines to establish mood and atmosphere.
• Ensure environments are optimized for performance on target hardware and workflows.
• Contribute to the technical pipeline development for environment creation and integration.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in 3D environment art and virtual production technology.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a 3D Environment Artist, with a strong portfolio showcasing realistic and detailed game or virtual production environments.
• Expert proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
• Advanced skills in texturing and material creation using tools like Substance Painter, Substance Designer, and Photoshop.
• In-depth knowledge of real-time rendering engines, particularly Unreal Engine, including lighting, materials, and optimization.
• Familiarity with virtual production pipelines and technologies is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of composition, form, color theory, and architectural principles.
• Experience with photogrammetry and 3D scanning techniques is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working within a dynamic team environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in 3D Art, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and the opportunity to work on groundbreaking virtual production projects. You will be part of an innovative and collaborative team, utilizing state-of-the-art technology. The role is based in our modern studio located in Upington, Northern Cape , offering a unique work experience. We provide opportunities for professional development and growth, allowing you to advance your career in the rapidly evolving field of virtual production.