Lead 3D Character Artist

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CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Lead 3d Character Artist to support The Molasses Flood development studio in their own ambitious project set within the world of The Witcher.

As the creative force behind character creation, you will oversee the modeling, texturing, and implementation of characters while leading a team of creatives. Leveraging your expertise in character artistry and Unreal Engine, you will collaborate with the art director, animators, and designers to ensure characters align with the project’s artistic vision and gameplay needs. Our ideal candidate is up to date on modern character creation. They are a skilled leader, innovative problem solver, and passionate about delivering world-class characters.

The person in this role will report to the Art Director for project Sirius. 

The Molasses Flood is a CD PROJEKT development studio located in the greater Boston area. It was founded by industry veterans in 2014, and since then have created The Flame in the Flood and Drake Hollow. The Molasses Flood is currently working on an ambitious and exciting new project and is growing their team across all departments. 

This position will require remote cooperation with The Molasses Flood Boston studio (from any location that is within 3 hours away of the UTC +2 time zone). 
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Team Management

• Build and lead the Character Art team to deliver high-quality, stylized character assets.
• Act as the direct manager for team members, conducting reviews, mentoring, and helping them achieve personal and professional growth.
• Cultivate a positive, collaborative team culture aligned with the company’s values and goals.
• Partner with the Production department to establish plans and ensure timely delivery of work.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring for the team.

Artistic Vision & Execution

• Collaborate closely with the Art Director to maintain the game’s artistic consistency and ensure the characters align with the core vision.
• Participate in creating concepts and plans for unique, game-defining character designs.
• Oversee and deliver the final polish of character assets, ensuring seamless integration into the game engine.
• Partner with Animators, Tech Animators, and Tech Artists to ensure character models are ready for dynamic performance.
• Work with Graphics Coders and Tech Artists to utilize and develop groundbreaking techniques.

Pipeline Development & Technical Problem Solving

• Investigate, develop, and refine workflows for character modeling, texturing, and material creation in collaboration with the Tech Art team.
• Ensure optimized performance by understanding and addressing trade-offs in assets and technologies.
• Actively participate in solving technical and aesthetic challenges related to character creation.

• Minimum 8 years of experience in the video games industry, including at least one shipped AAA title.
• Proven experience as a Lead Character Artist.
• Experience with stylized character art and maintaining visual consistency.
• Proficiency in modeling tools (3ds Max, Maya, Blender, etc.), sculpting tools (ZBrush, etc.), and PBR texturing software (Substance Painter/Designer, Photoshop, etc.).
• Expertise in Unreal Engine 4/5.
• Strong knowledge of anatomy, form, proportions, clothing, and material design.
• Solid understanding of physically based rendering (PBR) workflows.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Curiosity, kindness, initiative, and a positive and professional can-do attitude.

NICE TO HAVES:

• Knowledge of procedural content creation tools (e.g., Marvelous Designer, Houdini).
• Strong traditional art foundation and a keen eye for detail.
• Understanding of rigging and skinning processes, as well as facial animation setups.

Artists should include portfolio to their application. 

For this role you can choose between a remote-first or office-first working mode.

• Office-First: working primarily from the Warsaw, Wroclaw, or Cracow office for a minimum of 10 days per month.
• Remote-First: working from home, or from any location that is within 3 hours away of the UTC +2 time zone.

Perks & Professional Growth

• Flexible working hours — start your workday anytime between 8:00 and 10:00 AM.
• A welcome pack filled with goodies — to help you feel right at home once you join the team.
• Trainings, lectures and courses — internal workshops, external training for each employee, ‘Meet a star’ events, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available. There’s always something to learn!
• Merch — gifts for newborn rebels and regular chances to nab some cool swag!

Health & Well-being

• Private medical healthcare — a selection of medical plans with dental care to choose from, which are also accessible for your partner and relatives.
• Support during COVID-19 — regular tests and COVID vaccinations at the studio as well as professional advice and guidance from a specialist doctor.
• Psychological care — free mental health support and various well-being webinars. 
• Multisport card — gain access to a wide number of sporting and fitness facilities across the city.

Social Activities & Life in the Office

• Dog-friendly office — dog owner? Bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There’s always a furry friend or two to meet at the studio.
• Social events — we host regular gatherings at the studio where we can all unwind, play games, and just have some fun together.
• Healthy selections — ​​organic fruit, snacks, muesli, organic honey, vegan milk, and speciality coffee are all at your disposal around the studio. Enjoy!
• Truly international working environment — a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.

Head office in Warsaw

• Sustainable campus with an eco ethos — solar panels provide green energy, 2000 plants and an air-filtering system to help provide clean air, electric car charging points, flower meadows, and more green features in the works.
• An onsite, well-equipped gym with a climbing wall, daily Gym Assistant support and yoga and healthy spine classes.
• Car and bike parking spaces.
• A designated space for your bicycle, as well as bicycle repair equipment and showers available whenever you need them.
• No dress-code — we like to keep it casual.

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