Senior Character Artist

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 520,000 - 760,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Bonuses based on performance

Career progression

Centurion studio

Job summary

Placements24 in Centurion is seeking a Senior Character Artist to lead the character art pipeline for an upcoming flagship title. You will sculpt, texture, rig, and implement characters into the game engine, collaborating with concept artists and technical artists.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in game character art, a strong portfolio across styles, and proficiency in ZBrush, Maya/3ds Max, Substance Painter and Photoshop. A bachelor's degree or equivalent is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional character art experience in games.
• Strong portfolio showcasing character models, texturing and presentation.
• Proficient in ZBrush, Maya/3ds Max and texture tools.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity and asset integration.
• Solid human and creature anatomy knowledge.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Sculpt high-polygon characters with strong anatomy and style.
• Create high-quality PBR textures and materials.
• Retopologize to efficient low-poly meshes for real-time performance.
• UV map and bake maps from high-poly to low-poly models.
• Rig characters for animation and proper deformation.
• Integrate assets into Unreal Engine or Unity with materials.
• Collaborate with concept artists, animators and tech artists.
• Stay updated on latest character art techniques and tools.
• Mentor junior character artists and provide guidance.

Skills

Character art pipeline

Mentor junior artists

Communication & teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or related

Tools

ZBrush

Maya

3ds Max

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a celebrated studio renowned for its distinctive character designs, is seeking an accomplished Senior Character Artist to join their team in Centurion . This role is integral to bringing unique and memorable characters to life for their upcoming flagship title. You will be responsible for the complete character art pipeline, from high-polygon sculpting and detailed texturing to optimizing assets for real-time rendering within the game engine. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional artistic talent, a meticulous eye for anatomy and form, and a deep understanding of character creation workflows and tools. Join our collaborative environment in Gauteng and shape the visual identity of our game's cast.

Key Responsibilities

• Sculpt high-polygon characters using ZBrush or similar software, focusing on anatomy, detail, and artistic style.
• Create high-quality PBR textures and materials for characters, ensuring they align with the project's art direction.
• Retopologize sculpted models into efficient low-polygon meshes suitable for real-time performance.
• UV map and bake normal maps, ambient occlusion, and other necessary maps from high-poly to low-poly models.
• Rig characters for animation, ensuring proper deformation and functionality.
• Implement character assets into the game engine (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity), including material setup and lighting.
• Collaborate closely with concept artists, animators, and technical artists to achieve desired character visuals and functionality.
• Stay updated on the latest character art techniques, software, and industry trends.
• Mentor junior character artists, providing feedback and guidance on artistic and technical execution.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in character art for video games or related fields.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character models, texturing, and presentation across various styles.
• Proficiency in 3D sculpting software (e.g., ZBrush), modeling software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max), and texturing tools (e.g., Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Experience with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity, including asset implementation and material workflows.
• Solid understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and proportion.
• Knowledge of rigging and skinning principles is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to receive and incorporate feedback effectively.
• Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently to meet project deadlines.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Design, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, performance-based bonuses, and excellent opportunities for career progression.
• You will work in a creative and collaborative studio in Centurion , equipped with industry-leading tools and technology.
• Benefits include generous paid time off, retirement planning support, and engaging team activities.