Lead Character Artist (Gamedev)

TL;DR

Lead Character Artist (Unreal Engine): Creating iconic 3D characters and creatures for a AAA game with an accent on establishing the quality bar and defining character art pipelines. Focus on implementing high-quality organic forms, mentoring a team of artists, and collaborating with technical art and engineering.

Location: Based in Austin, TX, United States

Salary: $156,800 – $235,200

Company

Skeleton Key is a AAA game development studio and division of hirify.global, the creators of Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons.

What you will do

• Create iconic 3D characters that establish and drive the quality bar for a AAA project.
• Collaborate with Tech Art and Engineering to plan and implement character art processes and pipelines, including mesh processing and materials.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the character art team to facilitate their career growth.
• Work with outsource co-dev partners to ensure continuity and compatibility with the artistic vision.
• Visualize and evangelize the artistic vision within the development team.

Requirements

• 7+ years of focused experience in AAA game development as a Character Artist specializing in organic forms.
• Proficiency in Maya, Zbrush, or similar tools and next-generation asset creation pipelines in Unreal Engine.
• Ability to take characters to completion starting from either detailed or high-level concept images.
• Exceptional understanding of character form, shape, structure, and silhouette.
• Must be based in Austin, TX.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous 401(k) match and paid parental leave.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and tuition reimbursement.
• Employee giving programs and product discounts.