Senior Virtual Production Artist

Placements24; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hardware stipend

Health benefits

Flexible remote work

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Virtual Production Artist for our remote-first team. You will shape the visual landscape of virtual production, creating high-fidelity assets for real-time engines and collaborating with directors and technical artists to realize creative concepts.

The role emphasizes mocap-aware workflows, shader creation, and mentorship in a fully remote environment. This position offers growth and impact across high-profile projects from home.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior 3D Artist or Virtual Production Artist in film, game, or animation.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating real-time assets, lighting, and rendering.
• Expertise with Maya/Blender/3ds Max and real-time engines.
• Solid understanding of virtual production workflows, mocap, and virtual cinematography.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-fidelity 3D assets, environments, and characters for virtual production pipelines.
• Collaborate with directors and technical artists to translate concepts into visuals.
• Optimize assets for real-time rendering in engines like Unreal or Unity.
• Create shaders, textures, and lighting to achieve desired moods.
• Mentor junior artists and contribute to a collaborative remote team.
• Troubleshoot asset creation, integration, and rendering issues.

Skills

Senior 3D Artist

Virtual Production

Portfolio focused

Unreal Engine / Unity

PBR texturing

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

Unreal Engine

Unity

Substance Painter

Quixel Mixer

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering force in the digital arts and entertainment sector, seeking a highly skilled Senior Virtual Production Artist to join our dynamic, fully remote team. This is an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects from the comfort of your home office. As a remote-first organization, we foster a collaborative and innovative environment where creativity flourishes. You will be instrumental in shaping the visual landscape of our future productions, working alongside a talented ensemble of artists, technicians, and directors. Your expertise will directly influence the aesthetic and technical execution of virtual sets, characters, and real-time cinematics. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in virtual production and require a candidate who shares this passion and drive for excellence. This role offers significant scope for professional growth and the chance to make a tangible impact on high-profile projects within the **Midrand, Gauteng, ZA** arts and entertainment sphere.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement high-fidelity 3D assets, environments, and characters for virtual production pipelines, ensuring adherence to project specifications and artistic direction.
• Collaborate closely with directors and technical artists to translate creative concepts into compelling visual experiences.
• Optimize assets and scenes for real-time rendering engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity), maintaining performance targets without compromising visual quality.
• Create and iterate on shaders, textures, and lighting setups to achieve desired moods and aesthetics.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior artists, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the remote team.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to asset creation, integration, and rendering within the virtual production environment.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and techniques in virtual production, real-time rendering, and 3D art, proactively suggesting innovative solutions.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Senior 3D Artist, Virtual Production Artist, or similar role within the game development, film, or animation industries.
• Demonstrable portfolio showcasing exceptional proficiency in 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering, with a focus on real-time applications.
• Expertise in industry-standard 3D software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Strong understanding of virtual production workflows, including motion capture, real-time rendering, and virtual cinematography.
• Excellent artistic eye with a keen sense of composition, color theory, and storytelling.
• Proficiency in PBR texturing workflows and software (e.g., Substance Painter, Quixel Mixer).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a remote team setting, managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential for this **Midrand, Gauteng, ZA** based, fully remote position.

Benefits

• Join a forward-thinking company that values creativity and innovation.
• Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health benefits, and generous paid time off.
• As a fully remote position, you'll enjoy the flexibility and work-life balance that comes with working from home.
• We provide opportunities for continuous learning and professional development, including access to cutting-edge software and training resources.
• You'll be part of a supportive and collaborative team, working on exciting projects that are shaping the future of entertainment.
• Further benefits include performance bonuses and a company-provided hardware stipend to ensure you have the best tools for your home setup.