Remote US
Sr Character Artist (External Development)
Posted:
about 1 month
Art and Animation
Full-Time
Senior
$115,900 - $173,900 USD
Regular/Full-Time - Remote OK
Join the award-winning team that created God of War
Santa Monica Studio is seeking a Senior Character Artist on our External Development Team to help us build a new unannounced title!
As a Senior Character Artist on the Ex-Dev Team, you will help document, guide, and review the execution of Outsourced Character Art from an artistic and technical standpoint. You will be the liaison between SMS and our External Partners. Additionally, you’ll help bridge communication and provide visibility with our internal Character Art Team through meetings, knowledge share, and team reviews. As time and schedule permits, you may also help support the internal Character Art Team by taking on your own tasks to help achieve Santa Monica Studio’s signature quality.
We are looking for you to learn from the industry’s premier talent in art and tech while applying your unique knowledge of high poly sculpting, modeling, textures, as well as hair and groom. The ideal candidate has a portfolio demonstrating Senior-level Character Work as well as strong knowledge of game content pipelines, workflow and asset documentation, and experience driving Externally Developed Character Art.
Responsibilities
- Regularly represent the studio in External communication and discussion by mentoring and giving feedback to an external group of Character Artists
- Work with the external development group to maintain strong relationships with external character art studios and ensure their success in working with our team to meet Santa Monica Studio standards
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and broader team to ensure delivered character assets are of high quality and adhere to our project and studio standards
- Oversee and drive quality for all incoming character-related deliveries of content - provide proactive feedback for any early adjustments needed before reviewing with internal stakeholders
- Communicate with external studios on how to develop, verify, and maintain our standards from high poly sculpts, low poly models, texturing, and hair/groom
- Create documentation for character standards, tutorials, examples, delivery expectations and assist in the integration of assets from external studios
- Advise on problem areas and help troubleshoot character asset problems with external partners
- Integrate delivered content directly into the game
- Partner with the production team to help track incoming assets and deliveries
- May serve as an artistic resource for overall product or studio needs - this includes conducting general research, task overflow, testing new systems or tools, techniques, and providing training
Requirements
- 5+ Years of experience as a 3D Character Artist
- Shipped AAA game(s) from start to finish
- Strong Traditional Fine Art Skills with an emphasis on scale, anatomy, composition, color theory, 2D/3D design
- Advanced Understanding of Industry Standard Software such as Maya, Photoshop, ZBrush, and Texture Creation/Material Editing (Substance Painter/Designer)
- Capable of resolving a range of complex artistic development issues for both artists as well as other members
- Familiarity with video game development including, but not limited to workflow, tools, lighting, high and low poly modeling, texture painting, PBR material setup, UV layout, and engine parameters/optimizations
- Interest in overcoming various challenges of working with multiple external partners
- Possess strong time management and prioritization skills
- Good communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Preferred Experience
- Experience working with Outsourcing
The estimated base pay range for this role is: $115,900 - $173,900 USD
If you find that you don't meet all the criteria outlined in this job description or if you feel your experience might fall short, research indicates that individuals, particularly women and people of color, tend to hesitate in applying unless they meet every requirement. At SMS, our commitment lies in creating a workplace that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable. If you're intrigued by this role but feel your previous experience doesn't perfectly align with all the qualifications listed, we encourage you to submit your application. The ideal position for you could be closer than you think!
We value talent, self-motivation, and team spirit. In turn, we provide an environment with a large degree of autonomy and opportunities for growth.
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, legally protected physical or mental disability, covered veteran status, status in the U.S. uniformed services, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information or membership in any other legally protected category. We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. We genuinely appreciate the time and effort you spent in contacting us and we thank you for your interest in Santa Monica Studio.
About Santa Monica Studio
Our studio is composed of a group of diverse, ambitious, highly collaborative creatives who empower one another, while working as a team to deliver high quality narrative-driven PlayStation experiences. With origins spanning the globe - from Brazil to Poland to small town USA, we are home to over 250 world class developers who strive to push the medium forward with every creative decision.
Every team has a story and, at the heart of our story, we are committed to greatness and steadfast in our craft of developing unforgettable in-game experiences that inspire our players. Beyond that, though, we are driven by something much larger…by a desire to develop “stories” of greatness for each and every team member. Making a game is a massive undertaking. Between QA, Art, Design, Programming, Production, Sound and every department in between, we are all responsible for connecting with each other's greatest skills, while working towards a common vision.
If you found this job listing helpful, please mention how you found it when applying. This will only help us
get you and others more job listings on the site 🙏.
Related Jobs
.jpg)
