Senior Character Artist (AAA Games)

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Performance-based bonuses

Professional development opportunities

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

Placements24 presents an exciting Senior Character Artist role with a leading AAA game developer in Sandton, Gauteng. This hybrid position focuses on creating high-fidelity character models, textures, and materials, collaborating with concept artists, riggers, and animators to deliver standout in-game characters.

Ideal candidates bring 6+ years in AAA games, strong anatomy knowledge, mastery of Maya/3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter and Photoshop, plus experience with Unreal Engine or Unity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years as a Character Artist in the video game industry with a AAA portfolio.
• Proficiency in Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and proportion.
• Experience with Unreal Engine and Unity and their character pipelines.
• Excellent artistic eye, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities for a hybrid work environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet project deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character models: high-poly sculpting, retopology, UVs, textures.
• Develop realistic and stylized materials and shaders.
• Translate 2D designs into 3D assets with concept artists.
• Collaborate with riggers and technical artists for animation-ready assets.
• Refine assets based on art director feedback.
• Stay updated with character art techniques and industry trends.
• Mentor junior character artists and provide feedback to the team.
• Maintain consistency in character art style across the project.
• Participate in art reviews and contribute to artistic vision.

Skills

Character art

3D modeling

Texturing

Sculpting

Anatomy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts / Computer Graphics or related

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading developer of AAA video games, is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Character Artist to join their acclaimed art team. This hybrid role offers the unique opportunity to contribute your exceptional artistic skills to high-profile projects while enjoying a flexible work arrangement. You will be responsible for creating high-fidelity character models, textures, and materials that meet the demanding visual standards of modern gaming. Working collaboratively with character concept artists, riggers, and animators, you will bring memorable characters to life. If you have a profound understanding of anatomy, form, and proportion, mastery of character art software, and a passion for crafting believable and compelling characters, we encourage you to apply. This position is based in our studio in Sandton, Gauteng , providing a dynamic and creative environment for artistic growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character models, including high-poly sculpting, retopology, UV mapping, and texture creation.


• Develop realistic and stylized materials and shaders that accurately represent character appearance.


• Collaborate closely with concept artists to interpret and translate 2D character designs into 3D assets.


• Work with technical artists and riggers to ensure character models are optimized for animation and in-game performance.


• Continuously refine character assets based on feedback from art directors and leads.


• Stay up-to-date with the latest character art techniques, software, and industry trends.


• Mentor junior character artists and provide constructive feedback to foster team growth.


• Ensure consistency in character art style and quality across the project.


• Participate in art reviews and contribute to the overall artistic vision of the characters.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.


• Minimum of 6 years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry, with a portfolio showcasing AAA-quality character work.


• Expertise in 3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max), sculpting software (e.g., ZBrush), and texturing software (e.g., Substance Painter, Photoshop).


• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and proportion.


• Proficiency in creating PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials.


• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and understanding of their character pipelines.


• Excellent artistic eye, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.


• Strong communication and collaboration abilities, essential for a hybrid work environment.


• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet project deadlines.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits plan. Employees benefit from a hybrid work model, offering a balance between collaborative office time and the flexibility of remote work. Opportunities for professional development, including training and workshops, are provided. You will work within a creative and supportive studio environment alongside industry-leading talent. The role also includes performance-based bonuses and other standard employment benefits. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to visually stunning AAA games within the Sandton, Gauteng area, while enjoying the advantages of a hybrid career.