CHARACTER MODELER JOB DESCRIPTION

A Character Modeler turns concept art into production-ready assets that populate AAA game worlds. That sentence is short for a reason: the work is precise. The role sits within the art department of a game studio, reporting to a Character Supervisor or Art Director, and outputs geometry that every downstream team - riggers, animators, texture artists, and shading leads - depends on to keep production moving. What makes it demanding is the dual requirement of high-fidelity sculpting for cinematics and optimized low-poly delivery for real-time game engines, often on the same character.

As the Character Modeler, you own the creation of hero and secondary character assets from concept through handoff, ensuring topology, UVs, and surface detail meet both artistic and technical production standards. You operate within a cross-functional studio team, collaborating daily with rigging, animation, and art direction to deliver assets that perform in real-time game environments.

Career Impact: Sustained work across AAA game productions builds a portfolio of shipped titles that carries significant weight when moving into Senior Modeler or Character Art Lead roles.

Business Impact: Every character that reaches players passes through this seat, meaning the visual quality and technical integrity of shipped characters reflects directly on the studio's release.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to both cinematic and game-ready asset pipelines accelerates skills in topology optimization and hair grooming that are increasingly valued across film and interactive media markets.

Company Value: Studios hiring at this level typically offer a startup-scale creative environment where individual contributions shape the aesthetic direction of a project from the ground up.

• Design high-poly sculpts and optimized low-poly meshes for hero and secondary characters to meet real-time engine requirements.
• Build clean UV layouts and surface topology that support rigging, animation, and shading handoffs without rework.
• Collaborate with the Character Supervisor and Art Director to interpret concept art ranging from detailed illustration to rough directional sketches.
• Coordinate asset delivery with rigging and animation teams to ensure models are weight-ready and meet deformation requirements.
• Monitor pipeline requirements and flag technical issues to the VFX Supervisor or Character Supervisor before they affect downstream departments.
• Mentor junior character artists in modeling standards, edge loop discipline, and production schedule management.
• Develop blend shapes and facial morph targets to support lipsync and expression requirements defined by animation.
• Maintain organized asset naming, data storage, and daily progress tracking within studio production management systems.

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, Game Art, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 4 or more years of character modeling experience in film, cinematic, or AAA game production, with a shipped title or credited production in portfolio.
• Strong foundational knowledge of human and creature anatomy, form, proportions, and silhouette as applied to game-ready character construction.
• Demonstrated ability to produce both high-resolution sculpts and optimized real-time assets within the same production pipeline.
• Proficiency in hard-surface and organic modeling for characters, clothing, and accessories with consistent, simulation-ready topology.
• Experience with surfacing, UV layout, and hair grooming workflows in AAA game or cinematic productions.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills in English, with ability to receive and act on feedback from creative and technical supervisors.
• Portfolio link required on application, demonstrating range across realistic and stylized character styles.

• Experience producing blend shapes including facial expressions and lipsync morph targets for animation-ready delivery.
• Familiarity with film and video post-production techniques, including layered clothing construction from tailor patterns using cloth simulation tools.
• Background working within outsourced asset management workflows, including quality review and integration of vendor-delivered models.
• Proficiency reading and applying rough or gestural concept art without requiring fully resolved reference, supporting fast-paced production schedules.

• Asset approval rate on first review pass, reflecting topology and UV accuracy against brief.
• Rigging team revision requests per character, measuring how often models require geometry corrections after handoff.
• On-schedule delivery rate across assigned characters within production sprint windows.
• Blend shape count accuracy versus animation director specification, tracking facial asset completeness.
• Low-poly polygon budget adherence, measuring how consistently real-time engine targets are met per asset.
• Typical tools: Sculpting and modeling (commonly ZBrush and Maya), real-time engine (commonly Unreal Engine 5)

• Base Salary Range: $70,000 to $105,000 annually depending on seniority and studio size.
• Bonus: Annual discretionary bonus tied to project completion milestones.
• Equity: Stock options common at independent and startup studios, less standard at large publishers.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most studio employers.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus studio closure periods around major game releases.
• Common Perks: Remote or hybrid work options, software license access, and game library credits.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and in the workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Character Modeler owns the creation of high-quality character assets through modeling and sculpting, delivering work that meets the aesthetic standards of Imagendary projects. Embedded within the Cinematics teams, this role collaborates with artists and production staff to resolve complex character pipeline challenges and elevate the studio's output.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality character assets through exceptional modeling and sculpting skills that meet the aesthetic for Imagendary projects.
• Collaborate with Cinematics teams to address complex character pipeline issues and ensure the highest standards of quality and polish.
• Interpret artistic direction from detailed to rough concept art with ease.
• Apply knowledge of the latest industry technological developments, tools, and techniques.
• Contribute to the growth of a startup studio as part of a fast-paced, close-knit team.

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional experience in film, cinematic, or AAA game production as a character modeling artist.
• Strong foundational skills including human and creature anatomy, form, proportions, and silhouette.
• Experience with surfacing and hair grooming in AAA games or cinematic productions.
• Experience working with Unreal Engine.
• Self-starting, self-reliant personality willing to contribute across many areas of game development.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Reporting to the Character Supervisor, the Character Modeler develops secondary characters and creates models from scanned meshes or art department concepts to support full-scale animated productions. Partnering with VFX Supervisor, Rigging Supervisor, and Animation Directors, this role ensures assets meet the Art Director's vision while supporting the artistic and technical growth of the broader team.

Core Functions

• Create character models starting from scanned meshes or concepts and art packets provided by the Art department.
• Develop secondary characters following the strategy set by the Character Supervisor.
• Create extra models during character development, collaborating closely with VFX Supervisor, Character Supervisor, Character Designer, Rigging Supervisor, and Animation Directors.
• Interact with Animation and Rigging teams to achieve results aligned with the Art Director's vision.
• Keep current on artistic methodologies, technology trends, and tools that best suit production.
• Support team members with guidance and instruction to contribute to their artistic and professional growth.
• Follow supervisor and lead guidance.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in VFX or animation industries.
• Strong artistic and technical aptitude related to 3D animation.
• Working knowledge of Maya, UVs, and shading to create layers and distribution of squared polygons.
• Proficiency in ZBrush or Modo for character sculpting.
• Great understanding of facial construction, proportions, and physique.
• High English level desirable, Spanish desirable.

Sitting at the intersection of creative vision and technical execution, the Senior Character Modeler models and textures characters based on concept art while coordinating rig-ready asset creation with tech artists and animators. Operating across art, engineering, and design teams, this role builds and mentors an extended team of character artists to deliver optimized, game-ready assets that define the visual standard of the project.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Model and texture characters based on concept art and technical requirements.
• Coordinate the creation of rig and weight-ready character models with tech artists and animators.
• Help establish, follow, and maintain pipelines and technical requirements.
• Collaborate with vision holders to develop and visualize the final look of characters.
• Execute on pre-defined or self-started initiatives from ideation to completion.
• Share knowledge within area of expertise and influence related disciplines.
• Help build an extended team of talented and motivated character artists.
• Manage the creation of outsourced assets as needed.
• Mentor team members and support career growth through a culture of inclusivity.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum 7+ years of experience in game development.
• Ability to model and sculpt characters in a variety of styles from realistic to stylized.
• Ability to create high-resolution character models and optimized, game-ready assets.
• Strong understanding of anatomy, form, proportions, and silhouette.
• Proficient in Photoshop, Maya, 3DS Max, ZBrush, and Unity or Unreal Engine.
• Clear, concise, and transparent communicator, both written and verbal.
• Self-motivated team player with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and proven time management skills.

A key member of the Creature Development team, the Character Modeler builds three-dimensional CG characters with an emphasis on anatomy and form, creating everything from layered clothing to accessories for feature film and production environments. Collaborating across Senior Modelers, Technical Directors, and Animators, this role ensures models satisfy production requirements and are optimized for simulation.

Primary Duties

• Build the geometric structure of CG characters, ensuring models satisfy production requirements.
• Incorporate technical expertise, artistic ability, and knowledge of animation in building creatures.
• Collaborate with the production team including Senior Modeler, Technical Directors, and Animators to determine the look for each object.
• Create realistic layered clothing from tailor patterns with clean, consistent topology for organic and hard-surface clothing.
• Model accessories and adornments as required.
• Optimize topology for simulation in collaboration with the Creature Development team.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or equivalent with thorough knowledge of anatomy, character design, and animation.
• Proven experience creating digital creatures or characters in a feature film or production environment.
• Proficiency in Marvelous Designer, ZBrush, and Maya, with proven facial development experience.
• Familiarity with film, video post-production techniques, and computer graphic techniques.
• Portfolio demonstrating traditional artistic skills including illustration and sculptural abilities is a plus.

High visual standards and consistent artistic quality depend on the Character Modeler, who designs high-poly and low-poly 3D character models while developing the pipeline in close collaboration with riggers, texture artists, animators, and the shading department. Based within a production team led by the VFX Supervisor and Producer, this role also mentors artists and ensures clean asset handoffs across all downstream disciplines.

Duties

• Design high-poly and low-poly models of 3D characters to established quality and artistic standards.
• Monitor the needs of rigging, animation, and design to ensure clean asset handoffs.
• Maintain a clear and consistent schedule in conjunction with the Producer and VFX Supervisor.
• Ensure high modeling quality based on concepts and instructions from Supervisors and develop the pipeline.
• Mentor artists in both artistic and technical techniques.
• Work closely with character riggers, texture artists, animators, and the shading department.

Experience and Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a Lead Modeler role.
• 4+ years of experience in character modeling.
• Knowledge of low-poly and high-poly modeling and proficiency in using edge loops.
• Advanced abilities in Maya, ZBrush or MudBox, and Photoshop, with knowledge of Mari as a bonus.
• Experience producing blend shapes including facial expressions and lipsync morph targets is a plus.
• Strong 3D design portfolio demonstrating adaptability to various styles and attention to detail.
• Ability to complete tasks within production schedules and remain open and responsive to guidance from creative and technical supervisors.

Character Modeler sculpts hard-surface and organic 3D assets for cartoon-based and environment productions, working with or without concept art to deliver high-resolution models with UVs. The work directly supports the full production pipeline, including rigging, animation, texture, lighting, and compositing, with daily asset tracking in Shotgun.

Key Deliverables

• Model and sculpt hard-surface and organic 3D assets with or without concept art as reference.
• Create high-resolution character models with UVs for cartoon-based productions.
• Create 3D environment models with texture, color, and lighting as needed.
• Participate in modeling, rigging, animation, texture, lighting, and compositing needs of the project.
• Follow studio data storage and naming and retrieval processes.
• Track all work in Shotgun daily and flag timeline or delivery issues to the senior team.

Background and Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in a similar role within the games or film industry.
• Extensive knowledge of modeling hard-surface characters, environments, and props.
• Highly proficient in Maya and ZBrush.
• Strong creative eye and good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.