Senior Character Artist (Game Development)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Character Artist for a game studio in Nelspruit. You will sculpt, model, texture, and potentially rig characters from concept art through to engine implementation, collaborating with art directors, concept artists and animators.

Requirements include 6+ years in 3D character art, ZBrush or Mudbox, Maya or 3ds Max, and advanced texturing with Substance Painter/Designer and Photoshop.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of professional 3D character art for video games.
• Expertise in sculpting with ZBrush or Mudbox.
• Proficiency in Maya or 3ds Max for modeling.
• Advanced texturing skills with Substance Painter/Designer and Photoshop.
• Strong understanding of anatomy and costume design.
• Experience with game engines (Unreal Engine/Unity) and PBR rendering.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character models with high-poly sculpting and game-ready topology.
• Develop realistic and stylized textures using PBR workflows.
• Collaborate with concept artists to interpret designs and provide feasibility feedback.
• Ensure proper rigging and in-game performance with technical artists and animators.
• Optimize assets for real-time performance across platforms.
• Maintain high artistic quality and consistency across characters.
• Participate in character reviews and mentor junior artists.
• Stay updated with industry trends and techniques.

Skills

Character sculpting

Character modeling

Texturing

Anatomy understanding

Team collaboration

Education

3D Art degree

Tools

ZBrush

Mudbox

Maya

3ds Max

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an acclaimed game development studio situated in Nelspruit , is seeking a highly skilled Senior Character Artist to join their passionate team. This role is integral to creating high-fidelity, compelling character models that are central to our game experiences. You will be responsible for sculpting, modeling, texturing, and potentially rigging characters from concept art through to final implementation in the game engine. The ideal candidate possesses an exceptional artistic talent, a deep understanding of anatomy, form, and costume design, and mastery of industry-standard 3D software. You will collaborate closely with art directors, concept artists, and animators to ensure characters are visually stunning, technically sound, and perform effectively in-game. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your artistic vision to visually rich and narratively driven games in the Mpumalanga region.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character models, including sculpting high-poly details, retopologizing to game-ready meshes, and creating efficient UV layouts.
• Develop realistic and stylized textures using PBR workflows, ensuring color, material, and detail accuracy.
• Collaborate with concept artists to interpret character designs and provide feedback on feasibility.
• Work closely with technical artists and animators to ensure characters are properly rigged and perform correctly in-game.
• Optimize character assets for performance across various platforms and target hardware.
• Maintain a high standard of artistic quality and consistency across all character work.
• Participate in character reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Stay current with industry trends, tools, and techniques in character art creation.
• Mentor junior character artists and contribute to team development.
• Manage personal workload and contribute to project timelines effectively.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in 3D character art for video games, with a strong portfolio showcasing diverse character work.
• Expertise in sculpting software such as ZBrush or Mudbox.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software like Maya or 3ds Max.
• Advanced skills in texturing using software such as Substance Painter, Substance Designer, and Photoshop.
• Understanding of anatomy, human and creature proportions, and costume design.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and knowledge of PBR rendering pipelines.
• Ability to create UVs and optimize models for real-time performance.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• A keen eye for detail and a passion for creating memorable characters.
• Degree in 3D Art, Game Art, Fine Arts, or related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, and retirement benefits.
• You will join a creative and collaborative team working on exciting game projects in our Nelspruit studio.
• Opportunities for professional development and advancement are readily available.
• This role provides the chance to significantly impact the visual appeal of our games and grow your career in the vibrant game development industry.