Senior Character Artist (AAA Games)

Location: On-site in Oxford or Warwick, United Kingdom. Relocation support is available, including moving assistance and temporary accommodation. Applicants must have the permanent right to work in the UK; visa sponsorship is not available.

Company

An independent developer and publisher of video games, films, board games, books, comics, and graphic novels.

What you will do

• Produce realistic, high-quality character models based on concept art.
• Create character assets including hair, accessories, armour, and weapons.
• Deliver optimized low-poly models, efficient UV layouts, textures, and in-engine presentations.
• Provide primary models to technical animators for engine integration and gameplay testing.
• Work with outsourcing partners by preparing asset packs and providing detailed feedback.
• Support the Lead Character Artist and collaborate with the wider art team.

Requirements

• Portfolio demonstrating realistic characters and the full production process, including high-poly, low-poly, UVs, baking, texturing, and in-engine presentation.
• Strong knowledge of the Marvelous Designer cloth pipeline.
• Strong experience creating real-time hair for realistic male and female characters.
• Expert understanding of character budgets and optimization for AAA-quality characters.
• Excellent knowledge of human anatomy, joint movement, and muscle structure.
• Collaborative mindset with a willingness to share knowledge, support teammates, and mentor junior artists.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of scanning pipelines for clothing, heads, and props.
• Experience using Blender and a major game engine such as Unreal Engine, Unity, or CryEngine.
• Understanding of rigging and skinning for human characters and creatures.
• Experience working with outsourcing teams or external partners.
• Knowledge of FACS and blendshape creation.

Culture & Benefits

• Open, friendly, and creative working environment with a focus on collaboration and inclusion.
• 22 days of annual leave, Christmas closure, bank holidays, and increasing holiday entitlement with service.
• Private medical insurance, healthcare cash plan, dental and vision coverage.
• Life assurance, income protection, critical illness cover, enhanced family leave, and pension scheme.
• Mental health and wellbeing support, discounts, freebies, social events, and free parking at the Oxford studio.