Senior Character Artist (Games)

Skybound is looking for a Senior Character Artist to work on the stars of our games, characters that evoke emotion and inspire their players! Senior Character Artists translate the vision and aesthetic of concepts and specs into awe inspiring digital creations. The ideal candidate will be passionate about creating memorable characters that are functional in every scenario they are seen.

As a Senior Character Artist, you will create AAA quality, stylized characters, define and uphold our standards and pipelines, and work collaboratively with cross functional teams. You will take well-known and beloved characters and translate them into 3D masterpieces setting a new visual bar. You’ll serve as a significant contributor to the success of gameplay and animation quality.

Reports: This position will report to the Art Director of Skybound Game Studios

Responsibilities: Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Sculpt, model, UV, texture, and create materials for AAA quality, stylized heroic characters
• Surface and author materials in a PBR workflow
• Help define and work in an approval pipeline with contractors and assets that have been produced by external vendors
• Work closely with Art, Design, and Character leadership to define and achieve amazing standards
• Hold assets to both performance and quality standards
• Demonstrate a high degree of experience and control in Unreal Engine 5

Basic Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in game development
• 5+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the games or film industries
• Skilled in every aspect of character creation using Zbrush and Maya/Max
• Experience with Substance Painter and Photoshop
• Strong technical skills with experience in real-time character pipelines and efficient management of UVs and texture memory
• Thorough understanding of rigging and articulation, including how topology influences deformation
• Self-aware, life learner, always keeping up with latest technology, workflow tips and tools
• Can work to specification and to schedule, in an existing pipeline, and equally work with minimal instruction if needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with outsourcing
• Solid knowledge of human anatomy and form
• Strong foundation in the traditional arts, including but not limited to, figure drawing
• Extensive experience with Unreal Engine 5
• Specialization in creating stylized characters
• Passion for video game development. combat oriented games, and Skybound IP

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

Salary Range: $100,000-$140,000

• Actual base salary is dependent on several factors including but not limited to; market dynamics, location and region, experience, specialized skills/training (education), level of responsibility, budgetary considerations, tenure at the company (for current employees), etc.
• The salary range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees
• Compensation decisions are dependent on circumstances of each role

Skybound offers a wide array of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, as well as free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). We also offer a 401K plan with 4% match, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, generous time off, wellness benefits, and tuition reimbursement

Company Overview

Skybound is a multiplatform content company working closely with creators and their intellectual properties, extending stories and universes to new platforms, including comics, television, film, tabletop and video games, books, digital content, events, and beyond. We are home to critically-acclaimed global franchises, including The Walking Dead and Invincible.

Skybound Games produces, publishes and distributes video and tabletop games across all genres, including the multi-million-unit selling The Walking Dead video game series. In addition to our wholly-owned franchises, we work with independent developers to foster and create original games with compelling characters and worlds, strong creator and artistic focus, and innovative approaches to engaging genres.

Invincible is one of Skybound's tentpole franchises (celebrating 20 years!) and spans the world of comic books, merchandise, video games, and the critically acclaimed adult animated television series on Prime Video. Now in its second season, the television show has consistently ranked as one of Prime Videos top-streamed series with a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on the groundbreaking comic book by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, Invincible revolves around 18-year-old Mark Grayson, who’s just like every other guy his age—except his father is (or was) the most powerful superhero on the planet. Still reeling from Nolan’s betrayal in Season One, Mark struggles to rebuild his life as he faces a host of new threats, all while battling his greatest fear - that he might become his father without even knowing it.

The show stars Steven Yeun, with Sandra Oh, Zazie Beetz, Grey Griffin, Chris Diamantopoulos, Walton Goggins, Gillian Jacobs, Jason Mantzoukas, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Kevin Michael Richardson, Seth Rogen, and J.K. Simmons. Executive producers include Skybound's own Kirkman, David Alpert, and Margaret M. Dean.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Skybound we value diversity and are looking for extraordinary employees of all backgrounds! Skybound is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, citizenship, age, genetic information, disability, hair texture or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, Skybound complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination.

Skybound will consider applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the CA Fair Chance Act and Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.