Concept Artist (Horror Games)

Location: Remote within the United States

Salary: $61,000–$75,000 annually for other U.S. locations; $72,000–$88,000 annually for Austin, Denver, Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Miami metropolitan areas; $83,000–$101,000 annually for San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, and DC metropolitan areas.

Company

hirify.global is a startup multimedia studio known for the indie horror game franchise Poppy Playtime.

What you will do

• Create high-quality concepts for characters, creatures, environments, architecture, props, interactive gameplay elements, and cinematic key art.
• Design memorable horror characters and monsters that support narrative, gameplay, suspense, and emotional tension.
• Develop mood paintings, lighting studies, color scripts, environment concepts, and first-person gameplay visual development.
• Explore visual directions through thumbnailing and rapid iteration while maintaining a cohesive franchise style.
• Collaborate with Creative Direction, Narrative, Game Design, Character Art, Environment Art, Animation, VFX, and outsourcing teams.
• Provide production-ready callouts, orthographic views, material breakdowns, and design documentation while mentoring junior artists.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of professional concept art experience in games, film, or entertainment.
• At least one shipped AA title or equivalent experience on a commercially released project.
• Exceptional portfolio demonstrating advanced visual development and design thinking.
• Strong understanding of horror visual language, mood, suspense, and psychological storytelling.
• Expertise in drawing, composition, lighting, perspective, anatomy, color, and design of creatures, environments, architecture, props, and characters.
• Ability to take rough ideas through polished, production-ready concepts and collaborate through rapid feedback cycles.

Nice to have

• Experience with horror, thriller, dark fantasy, suspense, collectible toys, animation, or transmedia entertainment.
• Experience with first-person gameplay, established entertainment IP, cinematic composition, or storyboarding.
• Knowledge of Unreal Engine workflows, real-time production pipelines, and 3D block-ins using Blender, Maya, or similar tools.
• Experience mentoring artists, leading visual development initiatives, or directing outsourced art production.
• Knowledge of practical horror effects, cinematography, production design, promotional key art, or marketing illustration.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative environment focused on creativity, speed, craftsmanship, and bold ideas.
• Opportunity to shape the visual identity of a major horror entertainment franchise.
• Profit sharing for eligible U.S.-based full-time employees.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus 401(k) matching and FSA/HSA options.
• Paid time off, sick time, holidays, and parental leave.