Senior Character Artist - VR Game Development

Role Overview

An award-winning VR creative studio is seeking a highly skilled Senior Character Artist to join a collaborative team of developers dedicated to crafting high-quality, meaningful VR experiences. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the pre-production phase of innovative projects in an open, respectful, and creatively driven environment.

Value Proposition As a Senior Character Artist, you will be responsible for creating realistic, high-fidelity characters and establishing efficient pipelines and workflows that elevate the standard of real-time VR character development. Your work will directly influence the visual quality and immersive potential of our games.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with technical art, animation, and engineering teams to define character creation pipelines and workflows
• Translate concept art and reference materials into compelling character models
• Model and texture high- and low-poly human characters and outfits that meet technical, animation, and design requirements
• Optimize character assets for animation and real-time performance
• Partner with designers and gameplay engineers to develop modular character systems and crowd kitbashing
• Coordinate with producers on planning and scheduling
• Work with engineering teams to integrate emerging character technologies
• Provide guidance and clear, constructive feedback to external vendors
• Support development of facial blendshapes

Performance Metrics

• Delivery of high-quality character models
• Adherence to project timelines and milestones

Required Qualifications

• Professional portfolio showcasing character work
• 5+ years of experience as a Senior Character Artist on AAA titles
• Proven expertise in creating realistic human models
• Proficiency in ZBrush, Maya, Marvelous Designer, and Substance Painter
• Strong understanding of human anatomy and form
• Experience with modular character systems and kitbashing
• Skilled in creating real-time hair assets
• Familiarity with real-time engines such as Unity
• Comfortable giving and receiving feedback in a collaborative setting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in VR game development
• Background in pre-production workflows
• Knowledge of blendshapes and FACS
• Familiarity with rigging techniques

Core Competencies

• Passion for gaming and character artistry
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Adaptability in dynamic, fast-paced environments
• Openness to feedback and iterative development

Education

• Associate’s degree in design or certificate in graphic design (required)
• Bachelor’s degree in design or a related field (preferred)
• Portfolio submission required for consideration

Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, meet client expectations, standards, and accompanying requirements, and safeguard business operations an

Location: Remote (United States)

Role type: Contract 9 Month Position 

Expected hours: 40 per week 

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Do you or will you in the future require any sponsorship to work in the US?

Language:

• English  (Required)