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Senior Character Artist

Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) is a proud, independent studio that joins forces with developers and publishers seeking an innovative partner in creating quality games. At BSG, people are our purpose, so we prioritize an inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative work environment for all our squirrels. We operate as a hybrid-remote studio, allowing our developers the flexibility to crush milestone goals at the studio or within the comfort of their own home. We currently have studio locations in Irvine, California; Austin, Texas; and Auckland, New Zealand.

Skills and experience are highly valued at BSG, but we recognize that talent is a product of hard-work, resilience, and a growth-mindset. Therefore, we champion individuals who have demonstrated they have the grit necessary to overcome challenges and subscribe to the notion that inclusion breeds synergy and innovation. To us, diversity isn't a metric—it's a must!

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Blind Squirrel Games is looking for a talented Senior Character Artist to create memorable character art for a sci-fi action shooter based off a prized IP.

The ideal candidate for this role has experience in crafting characters for FPS games and can translate a thorough understanding of the character art pipeline into teachable techniques and processes that meet project expectations and deadlines.

Your responsibilities in this role will consist of leading the character art team in the development of high-quality AAA characters while maintaining established quality and artistic standards in a project style consistent with the Art Director’s expectations.

This is a full-time position available to work remotely, hybrid, or based out of one of our studios located in Irvine, Austin, and Auckland.

The annual salary being considered for this position is $81,100 - $121,600. This base pay range is for the U.S. and is not applicable to locations outside of the U.S. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.

SENIOR ARTISTS AT BSG...

You are considered a master of your craft and have the leadership qualities necessary to pass that knowledge down while completing your own independent work. You're already spent multiple years as a senior, indirectly mentoring your peers and gradually becoming the "go- to" person for input on and solutions to both internal and external matters. You have experience leading teams across various AAA titles and have solid cross-discipline exposure.

In addition to influencing the project's artistic design, you also set the bar and are responsible for the productivity of your team, meaning you do not shy away from the accountability that comes with a supervisory role. You are a clear communicator and are an expert at providing actionable feedback without making anyone cry!

Responsibilities

1. Collaborate with Production to organize, schedule, and manage the character art team's daily activities
2. Work with Art Director to drive and maintain high visual quality of character models
3. Partner with engineers and tech artists to develop an effective character art pipeline
4. Mentor the character team through verbal and written feedback
5. Communicate the visual design and development of the characters through art specifications, style guides and reference material
6. Work closely with internal and external partners to ensure quality is consistent and cohesive
7. Sculpt, texture, and implement high-resolution character models
8. Create clean game topology, UV's and textures
9. Contribute to the references, concepts, and art direction

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience in game development as an artist specializing in character/organic modeling using Maya, Photoshop, Zbrush or Mudbox
• At least one shipped AAA title as a Senior Character Artist
• Portfolio demonstrating ability to design and craft believable characters

Preferred Skills

• Exceptional understanding of next generation asset creation pipelines and tools
• Demonstrated proficiency in traditional hard-surface poly modeling techniques
• An exceptional understanding of anatomy, form, shape, structure, and silhouette with respect to modeling
• Experience with the production of optimized, game-ready 3D models using Maya
• Strong understanding of the Unreal Engine 4 material and shader system
• Extremely flexible and adaptable to new tools, environments, and unexpected challenges
• Superior eye for light, shade, color, and detail in creating texture maps
• Self-motivation, superior communication skills, and a great team-player attitude
• Able to effectively collaborate with game designers and programmers
• Excellent communication skills necessary to articulate and interpret creative processes across all disciplines while receiving critical feedback
• Comfortable working alongside and expressing feedback to both junior and senior developers

Pluses

• Experience in creating characters for sci-fi games
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine 5
• Additional skills in illustration, animation, visual effects, or technical art

Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligibility to participate in benefits and perks may vary depending on position term and location.