Senior Character Artist
Job Description
We are looking for a Senior Character Artist who is passionate about creating high quality, game-ready characters. This is a hands-on role focused on delivering realistic or stylized characters that meet AAA quality standards while fitting technical and pipeline requirements. You will collaborate closely with Art Directors, Tech Artists, and Animators to bring characters to life in modern game engines.
Key Responsibilities
- Create high-quality 3D characters (realistic or stylized) from concept to final in game asset
- Sculpt detailed anatomy and forms using ZBrush with strong understanding of human and creature anatomy
- Creating cloths using Marvelous designer and strong understanding of cloth folds
- Produce game-ready topology, UVs, and optimized meshes
- Texture characters using Substance Painter / Designer, including skin, fabrics, armor, and props
- Work with scan data / Texture XYZ maps for realistic head likeness and skin detailing
- Create and place hair cards (or groom-based hair where applicable) with attention to realism and performance is a plus.
- Ensure assets meet technical constraints (polycount, texture budgets, LODs)
- Integrate characters into game engines (Unreal / Unity) and troubleshoot visual issues
- Collaborate with rigging, animation, and tech art teams to ensure smooth deformation and performance
Requirements
- Strong knowledge of human anatomy, proportions, and facial structure
- Expert proficiency in ZBrush, Maya/Blender, Substance Painter, Marvelous Designer
- Experience with realistic head likeness matching
- Solid understanding of PBR workflows
- Experience creating hair cards and understanding hair shading
- Knowledge of AAA game pipelines and real-time asset creation
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of character assets
- Strong eye for detail, form, and material definition
Good to Have
- Experience on shipped AAA titles
- Familiarity with photogrammetry workflows
- Basic understanding of rigging and skinning requirements
- Experience with Unreal Engine character setup
- Creature or stylized character experience
What We’re Looking For
- A senior-level, hands-on artist (not a lead or people manager)
- Someone who can own characters end-to-end and deliver consistently high quality
- Strong problem-solver with a collaborative mindset
- Passion for games and character storytelling
Portfolio Requirement
Applicants must submit a strong portfolio showcasing:
- Realistic or stylized game-ready characters
- Head likeness work
- High-quality texturing and hair work
Benefits
Our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Commitment: Keywords Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. If you require any adjustments during the process please let us know in your application. We are committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation. We especially welcome applications from candidates of underrepresented groups in the industry.
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY
By providing your information in this application, you understand that we will collect and process your information in accordance with our Applicant Privacy Notice. For more information, please see our Applicant Privacy Notice at https://www.keywordsstudios.com/en/applicant-privacy-notice.