Lead 3D Character Artist

RESPONSIBILITIES

We’re seeking an experienced Lead 3D Character Artist to oversee the creation of characters and monsters from initial story design to final in-game assets. The main focus of this position is active participation in research and development, process improvement, and elevating the skills of the team. You will be leading a group of both in-house and external Character Artists, supporting strong connections between all departments, and taking a major part in the final polishing of all characters and monsters to ensure the released project stands strong against competitors. 

• Working closely with the Art Director, Lead Environment Artist, Animation Director, and Game Designers to align character and monster designs and assets with the game's vision. 

• Researching tech trends, taking an active part in developing tech in our engine, setting quality and style goals. 
• Managing a team of Character Artists, providing strong leadership and thoughtful decisions to ensure everyone works towards set goals. 
• Mentorship towards Artists through guidance, feedback, and creative training.
• Provide creative and technical direction to Character Artists. 
• Reviewing and interviewing potential candidates as well as appraising current employees. Resolving performance and interpersonal issues within the team. 

• Working closely with Tech Artists, Programmers, Animators to ensure that each character and monster utilizes technology at max and performs perfectly in-game. 
• Creation of highpoly models of characters and monsters – clothes, body parts, and accessories. 
• Texturing under a PBR pipeline. 
• Producing beauty shots to set visual targets and assist marketing. 
• Importing models to our engine, supporting other teams, finding ways to improve the process. 

• Support of the entire character creation process to game release. 

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum experience of 5 years in AAA game development as a 3D Character Artist. 
• Participated in at least one release AAA title in a role of Senior or Lead 3D Character Artist. 
• Sculpting, modeling, texturing. 

• Extensive knowledge of tools for sculpting, modeling, simulation, baking, texturing. 
• Strong knowledge of PBR principles. 
• Deep understanding of animations’ requirements for low poly models creation. 
• Decent knowledge of any 3D game engine. 
• Able to work creatively as part of a large or small group. 
• Upper-Intermediate English. 
• Experience with Version Control Systems (SVN/Perforce) and bug trackers (Jira or similar). 

Preferences

• Experience in animation. 
• Knowledge of real-time hair creation pipelines and skills in 3D grooming. 

• Experience in preparing scanned models for further steps of character creation. 
• Scripting skills (in Max/Maya or external scripting tools). 
• Superior eye for light, shade, color, and detail in creating texture maps. 
• Experience in modular systems for characters. 
• Knowledge about face creation techniques.