Senior Hero Sculptor (Character Artist)

🎯 Role Definition

As a Hero Sculptor, you are a master artisan at the heart of our creative team. You will be responsible for breathing life into our most important characters, transforming 2D concepts into breathtaking, game-ready 3D models. This role demands a fusion of exceptional artistic talent and deep technical expertise to create the iconic heroes and formidable villains that players will remember for years to come. You will set the quality bar for character art on the project, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver unforgettable visual experiences.

📈 Career Progression

Typical CareerPath

Entry Point From:

Senior Character Artist
3D Generalist (with a strong character focus)
Digital Sculptor (Film/VFX/Collectibles)

Advancement To:

Lead Character Artist
Principal Artist
Art Director

Lateral Moves:

Senior Creature Artist
Senior Hard Surface Artist
Technical Artist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Sculpt and model exceptionally high-quality, high-polygon characters, creatures, and iconic assets based on concept art and direct collaboration with the Art Director.
Translate 2D concept art into fully-realized 3D hero characters, meticulously preserving the original artistic vision, personality, and emotional intent.
Create clean, efficient, and animation-friendly low-polygon models with well-structured topology and optimized UV layouts for superior performance and deformation.
Develop stunning, next-generation textures for characters using modern PBR workflows and industry-standard software like Substance Painter and Photoshop.
Collaborate closely with the Art Director, Lead Artists, and Concept Artists to establish and maintain a cohesive and visually striking character roster.
Partner with Technical Artists and Riggers to ensure character models meet all technical specifications, pipeline requirements, and animation performance targets.
Shepherd hero character assets through the entire production pipeline, from initial blockout and high-poly sculpting to final in-game implementation and polish.
Actively participate in art reviews, iterating on character models and textures based on constructive feedback from art leads, game designers, and interdisciplinary review sessions.
Create, implement, and refine complex material and shader networks for characters within game engines like Unreal Engine 5.
Ensure all character assets are authored to the highest standard of quality, adhering to performance budgets and platform-specific technical constraints.
Proactively troubleshoot and solve complex artistic and technical challenges that arise during the character production lifecycle.
Mentor and provide constructive, actionable feedback to junior and mid-level character artists to elevate the team's overall quality and skill level.
Research, test, and champion new techniques, tools, and workflows to continuously improve the character art pipeline and push visual boundaries.
Create a full range of compelling blendshapes, facial expressions, and morph targets to bring characters to life and support cinematic and narrative goals.
Produce high-quality marketing and promotional renders of hero characters for use in trailers, key art, and other public-facing materials.
Maintain and apply a deep understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, proportion, and silhouette to create believable and dynamic characters.
Manage asset organization and adhere to established file naming conventions and pipeline documentation to ensure a smooth, predictable workflow for the entire team.
Skillfully create and customize character accessories, armor, and costuming with an exceptional level of detail, believability, and craftsmanship.
Work alongside the design and narrative teams to ensure character designs functionally support gameplay mechanics and enhance storytelling themes.
Optimize character models, textures, and materials to meet strict performance budgets for target platforms without sacrificing artistic integrity or visual quality.
Develop and present visual benchmarks and prototypes to establish the quality and style for key hero characters early in the production cycle.

Secondary Functions

Mentor and guide junior artists, providing constructive feedback and sharing expert knowledge.
Contribute to the research and development (R&D) of new art tools, shaders, and pipeline improvements.
Assist in creating and maintaining clear, comprehensive documentation for character art best practices and workflows.
Participate actively in team-wide art critiques and contribute thoughtful ideas to the overall visual direction of the project.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Expert-level proficiency in digital sculpting using ZBrush.
Mastery of high-poly and low-poly modeling techniques in software such as Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender.
Deep expertise in PBR texturing workflows using Substance 3D Painter and Photoshop.
Strong practical experience with a modern game engine, such as Unreal Engine 5, including material setup, asset integration, and optimization.
An expert understanding of human and creature anatomy, form, color theory, and lighting.
Proven ability to create clean, animation-friendly topology, efficient UV layouts, and high-quality baked maps.
Experience with hair card creation workflows or grooming tools (e.g., XGen, Ornatrix).
Demonstrated ability to skillfully interpret and evolve 2D concept art into a compelling 3D character.
Proficiency in creating realistic clothing and fabrics using Marvelous Designer or similar software.
An outstanding professional portfolio showcasing high-quality, game-ready characters from shipped AAA titles.
Strong understanding of rigging and skinning principles to better support the animation team.

Soft Skills

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
A highly collaborative mindset with a proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
Ability to receive, interpret, and provide constructive, professional feedback.
Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
A deep passion for video games, art, and character design.
Adaptability and a willingness to learn new tools and techniques.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

An exceptional online portfolio demonstrating mastery of character creation for modern games is required.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s Degree (B.F.A.) in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Game Development, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Digital Art & Animation
Fine Arts / Sculpture
Illustration
Game Art & Design

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8+ years of professional experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry.

Preferred:

Shipped at least one AAA title in a Senior Character Artist role.
Extensive experience working with Unreal Engine (UE4/UE5).
A portfolio that includes both realistic and stylized hero characters.