Senior Character Modeler - Game Development

Placements24; Kimberley; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Character Modeler for our Kimberley studio. You will craft detailed, game-ready character assets with a focus on high fidelity, including sculpting, modeling, and texturing across human and non-humanoid forms.

You will collaborate with artists and technical staff to ensure asset quality, optimization, and animation readiness while mentoring junior teammates and contributing to the studio's evolving visual identity.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in character modeling for games.
• Strong portfolio showing high-quality character modeling and texturing.
• Expert in ZBrush, Maya or Blender, and PBR texturing workflows.
• Proficient with Unreal Engine or Unity and animation-ready assets.
• Solid human and creature anatomy knowledge; hard-surface and organic sculpting.
• Good understanding of UV mapping and optimization for real-time engines.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and ability to mentor juniors.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Kimberley for on-site work.

Responsibilities

• Sculpt, model, and texture high- and low-polygon character assets.
• Create believable human and creature characters from concept art.
• Develop high-quality PBR materials and textures for characters.
• Optimize models for real-time rendering and efficient UVs.
• Collaborate with riggers and technical artists to ensure animation readiness.
• Participate in art reviews and provide constructive feedback.
• Maintain consistency in style and quality across assets.
• Mentor junior modelers and assist with technical challenges.
• Communicate clearly with the art team and project leads.

Skills

Character sculpting

Character modeling

Artistic eye

Team collaboration

Time management

Independent work

Mentoring juniors

Asset optimization

Education

Portfolio of game characters

Tools

ZBrush

Maya

Blender

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Photoshop

Unreal Engine

Unity

UV mapping tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a celebrated game development studio located in Kimberley , is seeking an accomplished Senior Character Modeler to craft high-fidelity character assets for their upcoming projects. This role is central to bringing compelling characters to life through exceptional sculpting, modeling, and texturing skills. You will be responsible for creating detailed, game-ready character models that meet the artistic and technical specifications of the project. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of human and creature anatomy, proficiency in industry-standard 3D modeling software, and a keen eye for detail in creating realistic or stylized characters. You will collaborate closely with character artists, art directors, and technical artists to ensure the visual quality and performance optimization of character assets. We are looking for a motivated and skilled artist who can contribute significantly to the visual identity of our games and mentor junior members of the character art team. Join a dedicated team and make your mark on exciting new game titles.

Key Responsibilities

• Sculpt, model, and texture high-polygon and low-polygon character assets for games.
• Create detailed and believable human and non-humanoid characters based on concept art and direction.
• Develop high-quality PBR materials and textures for characters.
• Optimize character models for real-time rendering engines, ensuring efficient polygon counts and UV layouts.
• Collaborate with character riggers and technical artists to ensure models are animation-ready.
• Participate in art reviews and provide constructive feedback to peers.
• Ensure consistency in style and quality across all character assets.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest character modeling techniques and software advancements.
• Mentor junior character modelers and assist with technical challenges.
• Maintain clear communication with the art team and project leads.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Character Modeler in the game industry.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character modeling and texturing skills for games.
• Expert proficiency in 3D modeling software such as ZBrush, Maya, or Blender.
• Advanced skills in texturing using software like Substance Painter, Substance Designer, and Photoshop.
• Experience with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and understanding of how characters perform within them.
• Solid understanding of human and creature anatomy, proportions, and form.
• Experience with hard-surface modeling and organic sculpting.
• Familiarity with UV mapping and optimization techniques.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Kimberley to work on-site.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off.
• You will have the opportunity to work on exciting game projects with a talented and passionate team.
• We provide a creative and collaborative work environment that fosters innovation and professional growth.
• Join our studio in Kimberley and help create memorable characters for the next generation of gaming.