Senior Character Modeler & Texture Artist

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Paid time off

Bonuses

Tech stipend

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, South Africa, is seeking a Senior Character Modeler & Texture Artist to create high-fidelity characters for feature films and VFX. You will sculpt, model, retopologize, and texture assets, collaborating with character supervisors and the art department to meet production standards.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years in film, VFX or gaming, a standout portfolio, and mastery of ZBrush, Maya and texturing tools such as Substance Painter or Mari.

Qualifications

• 6+ years in character modeling for film, VFX, or games.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating characters and textures.
• Expert in ZBrush, Maya, and/or 3ds Max.
• Proficient with PBR workflows and texture maps (diffuse, normal, specular).
• Excellent communication and ability to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Sculpt, model, and create high- and low-poly character assets.
• Perform retopology and UV mapping for optimized assets.
• Create realistic textures including diffuse, normal, specular, and displacement maps.
• Ensure assets meet animation and rendering pipeline requirements.
• Collaborate with supervisors, riggers, and animators to production-readiness.
• Iterate on models/textures based on feedback and artistic direction.

Skills

Sculpting

Character Modeling

UV Mapping

Texturing

Team Collaboration

Tools

ZBrush

Maya

3ds Max

Substance Painter

Mari

Photoshop

Job description

About the Role Our client, a prestigious visual effects studio based in Sandton, Gauteng , is searching for a highly skilled Senior Character Modeler & Texture Artist. This role is fundamental to creating high-fidelity, believable characters for feature films and high-end visual effects projects. You will be responsible for sculpting, modeling, retopologizing, and texturing characters to the highest industry standards, working closely with character supervisors and the art department. The ideal candidate will possess an exceptional understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, and material definition, coupled with mastery of industry-standard 3D modeling and texturing software. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to visually stunning productions and collaborate with a team of world-class artists. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of digital artistry and require individuals who are passionate, detail-oriented, and possess a strong artistic vision. Your work will be integral to bringing characters to life on screen, contributing significantly to the storytelling and visual impact of our projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Sculpt, model, and create high-polygon and low-polygon character assets.
• Perform retopology and UV mapping for optimized game or film assets.
• Create realistic and detailed textures for characters, including diffuse, normal, specular, and displacement maps.
• Ensure character models and textures meet the technical requirements for animation and rendering pipelines.
• Collaborate with character supervisors, riggers, and animators to ensure assets are production-ready.
• Iterate on models and textures based on feedback and artistic direction.
• Maintain a high level of detail and aesthetic quality in all work produced.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in 3D modeling, sculpting, and texturing techniques.
• Manage assets efficiently and adhere to project file structures and naming conventions.
• Contribute to the overall artistic vision and quality of character assets.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a Character Modeler and Texture Artist in film, VFX, or gaming.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional character modeling, sculpting, and texturing skills.
• Expert proficiency in ZBrush, Maya, and/or 3ds Max.
• Advanced skills in texturing software such as Substance Painter, Mari, or Photoshop.
• Deep understanding of anatomy, proportions, and form for both human and creature characters.
• Experience with PBR (Physically Based Rendering) workflows.
• Strong understanding of topology, UV layout, and optimization techniques.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills within a team environment.
• Ability to work efficiently and meet demanding production deadlines.
• A keen eye for detail and a commitment to artistic excellence.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunity to work on visually groundbreaking film and VFX projects.
• Access to state-of-the-art 3D modeling and texturing software and hardware in Sandton, Gauteng .
• Collaborative and inspiring studio environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Employee assistance program.
• Potential for bonuses based on project success.