Senior VR Environment Artist

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Remote-friendly

Professional development

Cutting-edge VR tech access

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a Mossel Bay VR studio to recruit a Senior VR Environment Artist for a fully remote role. You will design, model, texture, and integrate immersive environments that power cutting-edge VR experiences.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years of 3D environment art with VR or real-time focus, a strong portfolio, and proficiency in Maya/Blender/Max, ZBrush, Substance, Photoshop, and Unity/Unreal Engine. Strong communication and independent work skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, Game Design, or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• 5–7 years of professional experience in 3D environment art with VR or real-time focus.
• Strong portfolio showing high-quality VR/environment work.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling and texturing tools listed under qualifications.
• Experience with Unity or Unreal Engine and VR optimization practices.

Responsibilities

• Create high-fidelity, optimized 3D environment assets for VR experiences.
• Model, texture, and set dress environments aligned with art direction and narrative.
• Ensure assets are optimized for real-time VR performance.
• Collaborate with level designers and engineers to integrate assets into engines.
• Develop materials and shaders to achieve desired aesthetics and efficiency.
• Stay current with VR tech and contribute to pipelines and best practices.

Skills

Portfolio culture

Remote work capability

VR/real-time optimization

Art fundamentals

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Maya

Blender

3ds Max

ZBrush

Substance Painter

Substance Designer

Photoshop

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

Our client, a highly innovative virtual reality development studio based near the scenic coast in Mossel Bay, Western Cape , is seeking a talented Senior VR Environment Artist. This role offers the exciting prospect of working remotely, contributing to the creation of immersive and visually stunning virtual worlds for cutting-edge VR experiences. You will be responsible for designing, modeling, texturing, and integrating 3D environments that transport users to captivating new realities. This is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the virtual spaces of tomorrow and pioneer new forms of digital storytelling in the rapidly growing VR industry. The ideal candidate possesses a strong portfolio of high-quality environment art, with specific expertise in VR development, demonstrating a keen eye for detail, composition, and technical optimization for immersive platforms. You will collaborate with a talented team of developers and designers.

Key Responsibilities

• Create high-fidelity, optimized 3D environment assets for virtual reality experiences, including modeling, texturing, and set dressing.
• Develop realistic or stylized environments that align with the project's art direction and narrative.
• Ensure assets are technically sound and optimized for performance within VR platforms (e.g., maintaining polygon counts, efficient UV mapping, texture optimization).
• Collaborate with level designers and game designers to create believable and engaging virtual spaces.
• Integrate environment assets into game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) and optimize for VR performance.
• Develop and maintain high-quality materials and shaders to achieve desired visual aesthetics.
• Conduct research and gather references to inform environment design and ensure authenticity.
• Contribute to establishing and refining environment art pipelines and best practices for VR development.
• Provide constructive feedback to other artists and participate in art reviews.
• Stay current with VR technology advancements and emerging trends in environment art.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Computer Graphics, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in 3D environment art, with a significant portion focused on VR or real-time applications.
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional environmental art for VR or games, with attention to detail and composition.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, Blender, 3ds Max) and sculpting tools (e.g., ZBrush).
• Expertise in texturing and material creation using software like Substance Painter/Designer and Photoshop.
• Experience working with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, with an understanding of VR development pipelines.
• Knowledge of lighting techniques and optimization strategies for real-time environments.
• Excellent understanding of art fundamentals, including form, color, composition, and storytelling.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently in a remote setting.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, essential for remote team dynamics.

Benefits

• This remote role offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and the opportunity to work on innovative VR projects from anywhere.
• Our client provides access to cutting-edge VR technology and a collaborative, creative work environment.
• You will be part of a forward-thinking studio committed to pushing the boundaries of immersive experiences.
• Professional development opportunities and a focus on work-life balance are key components of our employee offering.
• This position is ideal for experienced artists looking to specialize and grow within the exciting field of virtual reality development.