Lead Character Artist

Abstraction

. Lead the artistic vision of co-development projects from concept to final delivery .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timeRemote • Netherlands, Germany, United KingdomSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in character art creation, including high-poly sculpting, game-ready asset production, and implementation in Unreal Engine. Proven ability to lead artistic vision and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality AAA game assets.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Character Art LeadershipExpert Knowledge of ZBrushGame-Ready Asset ProductionUnreal Engine ImplementationStrong Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

High-Poly SculptingGame-Ready Mesh CreationUV MappingPBR TexturingRetopologyPerformance OptimizationRealistic Human AnatomyCreature WorkConcept to 3D Asset Translation2D to 3D Techniques

Soft Skills

Constructive FeedbackCollaborationProblem-SolvingArtistic JudgmentInnovation

Tools & Technologies

MayaBlender3ds MaxSubstance 3D PainterJiraConfluence

Industry Keywords

AAA TitlesCharacter Art WorkflowsArtistic VisionVisual DirectionPortfolio Reviews

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Unreal Engine

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the artistic vision of co-development projects from concept to final delivery
Translate concept and key art into production-ready character and creature assets
Create high-poly sculpts, game-ready meshes, UVs, and PBR textures
Create key character assets that set the team’s quality and visual benchmark
Collaborate with client-side Art Directors and concept artists to interpret visual direction
Identify feasibility concerns early and apply proactive problem-solving and artistic judgment
Implement character assets in Unreal Engine, including materials, shaders, LODs, and configuration
Guide and support the character art team through reviews, feedback, and hands-on assistance
Collaborate with tech art, rigging, and animation to meet technical specifications and deformation requirements
Establish and maintain character art workflows, best practices, and documentation
Provide task estimates and progress updates to Production
Support character team recruitment, portfolio reviews, and art tests
Cultivate collaboration, innovation, growth, and positive change within the company

Requirements

What you’ll need

7+ years of experience as a Character Artist in game development
Experience in a Lead or Senior role on shipped AAA titles
Outstanding portfolio demonstrating realistic human anatomy and creature work
Strong grasp of form, proportion, and surface detail
Ability to take a concept from 2D to a finished, game-ready 3D asset
Expert knowledge of ZBrush, Maya, Blender or 3ds Max, and Substance 3D Painter
Strong understanding of retopology, UVs, baking, PBR texturing, and performance optimisation
Solid experience implementing character assets in Unreal Engine
Strong communication skills and ability to give and receive constructive feedback
Familiarity with Jira, Confluence, or similar tools
Versatility across stylized or cartoony styles is a plus
Ability to concept and ideate through rough sculpting and 2D techniques is a bonus
Knowledge of clothing, hair, and scan-based workflows is a bonus
Must live in an approved country for the applicable employment or freelancer contract

Benefits

Comp & perks

A competitive salary
A lot of room for personal development and ownership
Possibility to work hybrid/onsite, or fully remote
Employment contract if living in the Netherlands, Germany, or the UK
Freelancer contract if living within one of the approved countries
Inclusive and equitable work environment
Opportunity to contribute to impactful, industry-leading initiatives