Senior Character Artist - AAA Video Games

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Professional development

Creative studio environment

Team social events

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit is seeking a Senior Character Artist to join our development team. You will model, sculpt, and texture high-fidelity 3D characters and creatures for AAA titles, collaborating with art directors and designers to ensure consistent artistic execution.

The ideal candidate has a strong eye for anatomy, proficiency in ZBrush, Maya, and Substance Painter, and can optimize assets for real-time rendering.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in 3D character art for video games.
• Expertise in ZBrush for high-poly sculpting and Maya for low-poly modeling.
• Proficiency in Substance Painter/Designer for PBR workflows.
• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, proportion, and form.

Responsibilities

• Model, sculpt, and texture high-fidelity 3D characters and creatures for AAA video games.
• Ensure characters adhere to established art style, technical specifications, and performance budgets.
• Create realistic or stylized PBR materials and textures for all character assets.
• Collaborate with the rigging team to ensure characters are well-prepared for animation.
• Work closely with art directors and concept artists to interpret and execute character designs accurately.
• Optimize character assets for real-time rendering in game engines.
• Maintain a high level of artistic quality and consistency throughout the character development process.
• Participate in art reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and techniques in character art.
• Mentor junior character artists and contribute to the team's growth in Nelspruit.

Skills

ZBrush

Maya

PBR texturing

Anatomy knowledge

Retopology & UV mapping

Unreal Engine / Unity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, 3D Modeling, or related field

Tools

ZBrush

Maya

Substance Painter/Designer

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned studio celebrated for its creation of immersive worlds and unforgettable characters, is seeking a highly talented Senior Character Artist to join their development team in **Nelspruit**. This role is vital for bringing compelling characters to life through exceptional modeling, texturing, and detailing skills. You will be responsible for creating high-quality 3D character assets that meet the artistic and technical requirements of our AAA titles. The ideal candidate possesses a strong artistic eye, a deep understanding of human and creature anatomy, and proficiency in industry-standard 3D art tools. You will collaborate closely with art directors, game designers, and other artists to ensure character designs are realized effectively and consistently across the project. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge games within a collaborative and creatively driven environment in **Nelspruit**. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of visual fidelity and character representation in interactive entertainment. Join us and leave your mark on the characters that players will love.

Key Responsibilities

• Model, sculpt, and texture high-fidelity 3D characters and creatures for AAA video games.
• Ensure characters adhere to established art style, technical specifications, and performance budgets.
• Create realistic or stylized PBR materials and textures for all character assets.
• Collaborate with the rigging team to ensure characters are well-prepared for animation.
• Work closely with art directors and concept artists to interpret and execute character designs accurately.
• Optimize character assets for real-time rendering in game engines.
• Maintain a high level of artistic quality and consistency throughout the character development process.
• Participate in art reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and techniques in character art.
• Mentor junior character artists and contribute to the team's growth in **Nelspruit**.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in 3D character art for video games, with a portfolio showcasing exceptional character models.
• Expertise in ZBrush for high-poly sculpting and Maya for low-poly modeling.
• Proficiency in Substance Painter/Designer or similar texturing software for PBR workflows.
• Strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, proportion, and form.
• Experience with retopology, UV mapping, and baking normal maps.
• Familiarity with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Excellent eye for detail, color theory, and composition.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment and meet production deadlines.
• Good communication skills, with the ability to articulate artistic and technical ideas.
• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, 3D Modeling, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and talent.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement in **Nelspruit**.
• Access to cutting-edge art tools and technologies.
• A creative and collaborative studio culture that values artistic excellence.
• Involvement in the development of exciting AAA game titles.
• Retirement savings and pension plan.
• Regular team social events and activities.