Senior Character Artist
Mob Entertainment is a startup multimedia studio that is best known for our hit indie horror game "Poppy Playtime". This franchise is one of the hottest new properties in gaming, and our team is naturally expanding as our ambition expands. To give a taste of our brand's popularity, more than 100 billion YouTube views of Poppy Playtime related content have occurred since the game's launch 4 years ago.
About the Role
As a Senior Character Artist, you will be a driving force in bringing life to the characters in our game worlds. You’ll collaborate closely with concept artists, animators, riggers, and game designers to model, sculpt, and texture visually stunning, emotionally compelling, and technically sound characters. Your work will help define the visual identity of our characters and ensure they resonate with players across platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, model, sculpt, and texture high-quality 3D character assets for use in real-time game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine or Unity).
- Translate 2D concept art and design briefs into fully realized, stylized or photorealistic 3D character models.
- Create both high-poly sculpts and optimized game-ready low-poly models with proper UVs and efficient topology.
- Collaborate with rigging and animation teams to ensure characters deform correctly and perform well in motion.
- Help establish and maintain consistent visual standards for characters across the game.
- Mentor junior artists and provide constructive feedback and direction.
- Participate in character pipeline development and documentation to improve workflow and efficiency.
- Work with Tech Art to troubleshoot and resolve performance or compatibility issues.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of professional experience as a Character Artist in the game industry, with at least one shipped AAA or high-quality indie title.
- Mastery of 3D software such as Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and texturing tools like Substance Painter/Designer.
- Strong knowledge of human and creature anatomy, clothing, and material rendering.
- Deep understanding of topology, UV layout, and real-time rendering techniques.
- Experience working with game engines like Unreal Engine 4/5.
- A strong portfolio showcasing a range of character work from stylized to realistic.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with facial blendshapes and character customization systems.
- Knowledge of shaders, materials, and technical constraints on different platforms.
- Experience working with mocap and/or hand-keyed animation teams.
- Passion for storytelling, world-building, and character design.
- Leadership or mentoring experience in an art team.
- Basic experience with character rigging.
Salary
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Final compensation within the applicable salary range will be determined based on factors such as the applicant’s experience, qualifications, and work location.
San Francisco, CA; New York City, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; Boston, MA; & Seattle, WA DC Metropolitan Areas: $110,000 - $137,000 USD annually
Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; & Miami, FL Metropolitan Areas: $95,000 - $120,000USD annually
All Other U.S. Locations: $82,000 - $102,000 USD annually
Benefits
Mob Entertainment offers the following benefits to all eligible U.S.-based full-time employees: profit sharing; medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) matching; FSA/HSA; paid time off; sick time; holidays; and parental leave.
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Mob Entertainment is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and complies with all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, military service, or any other protected class under applicable state or local law. Mob Entertainment also considers all qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with Fair Chance laws as well as any other applicable state and local laws.