Senior Character Artist - Next-Gen Consoles

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Performance bonus

Paid time off

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Character Artist for a flagship project in Mahikeng, North West. You will lead end-to-end character asset creation, from sculpting to texturing, ensuring alignment with the game's style and technical constraints.

You will collaborate with the art director and character team to deliver high-fidelity characters optimized for next-gen consoles and real-time rendering. A strong AAA portfolio and proficiency in major tools are required.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience as a Character Artist in AAA game titles.
• Strong portfolio showcasing high-detail character assets for real-time engines.
• Proficiency with Maya, ZBrush, Blender; Substance Painter/Photoshop; Unreal Engine or Unity.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D character models with high-poly sculpting, low-poly retopology, UVs, and PBR texturing.
• Develop character concepts, armor, and accessories aligned with the art direction.
• Collaborate with riggers and animators to ensure proper deformation and performance.
• Implement characters in the game engine and maintain visual fidelity across assets.
• Provide guidance to junior artists and contribute to the overall artistic vision.

Skills

Character art experience

AAA titles

Portfolio

Team collaboration

Education

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

Tools

Maya

ZBrush

Blender

Substance Painter

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly acclaimed studio known for creating visually spectacular and character-driven games, is seeking a talented Senior Character Artist for their flagship project in Mahikeng, North West . This role is crucial in bringing our game's diverse cast of characters to life with exceptional detail, realism, and artistic flair, targeting next-generation consoles. You will be responsible for the end-to-end creation of high-quality character assets, from sculpting and modeling to texturing and implementation within the game engine. Working collaboratively with the art director and the character team, you will ensure that characters not only look outstanding but also adhere to technical constraints and the overall artistic vision. If you have a passion for character creation and a proven ability to deliver top-tier assets, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

Create high-quality 3D character models, including high-poly sculpting, low-poly retopology, UV unwrapping, and PBR texturing. Develop detailed character concepts, armor, and accessories based on art direction and established style guides. Work closely with riggers and animators to ensure character models are optimized for animation and deform correctly. Implement characters within the game engine, ensuring visual fidelity and performance targets are met. Collaborate with the art director and other artists to maintain visual consistency and quality across all character assets. Stay up-to-date with the latest character art techniques, software, and industry trends. Provide constructive feedback and guidance to junior character artists. Optimize assets for performance on target platforms without compromising visual quality. 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 strong portfolio showcasing work on AAA titles. Proficiency in 3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, ZBrush, Blender), texturing software (e.g., Substance Painter, Photoshop), and game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity). Strong understanding of anatomy, form, proportion, and material definition. Experience with PBR workflows and real-time rendering techniques. Excellent eye for detail, color theory, and composition. Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment and communicate ideas clearly. Strong problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to new technologies and workflows. Passion for character design and storytelling through visual mediums.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a performance bonus structure, generous paid time off, and opportunities for professional development and career advancement. You will be part of a creative and inspiring studio environment, working on exciting, high-profile projects. We foster a culture of collaboration and artistic excellence, providing access to cutting-edge tools and technologies. This role is based at our studio in Mahikeng, North West , offering a great opportunity to grow your career within a supportive team.