Lead Character Artist

Forbidden Kemono Studio is looking for a talented and dependable 3D Character Artist Lead to join our Art Department and oversee 3D character art across 2 of our active projects.
This is a leadership position for an artist who wants to establish character art standards, mentor other artists, and contribute directly to production.
OUR PROJECTS:
After Hours: Library — Unreal Engine 5.4
A first-person psychological horror game featuring a minimalist, low-poly visual direction and supernatural characters.
Forbidden Blood — Unreal Engine 5.7
A story-driven turn-based dark fantasy JRPG combining anime-inspired character design with a grimdark post-apocalyptic steampunk world. The game features party members, NPCs, vampires, demons, enemies, bosses, and other supernatural characters.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Lead the 3D Character Art discipline for either of the 2 projects
• Create production-ready characters, creatures, enemies, and NPCs
• Establish and maintain character modeling standards
• Review work from other character artists and provide constructive feedback
• Mentor and support 3D Character Artists
• Help establish modeling, sculpting, retopology, UV, texturing, and optimization standards
• Translate 2D concepts and references into 3D assets
• Coordinate character art tasks through ClickUp
• Communicate progress, blockers, and production concerns
• Ensure character assets are prepared properly for Unreal Engine
• Collaborate with Concept Artists, Animators, Tech Artists, VFX Artists, and other departments
QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with several areas of game-ready character production, including:
• 3D character modeling
• Organic and/or hard-surface modeling
• Sculpting
• Retopology and clean topology
• UV unwrapping
• PBR texturing and materials
• Real-time character optimization
• Unreal Engine character workflows
• Animation-friendly topology and deformation
• Artistic feedback and mentorship
Experience with Blender, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, or comparable software is welcomed.
Character asset budgets will vary by project and character importance. The Character Lead will work with the Art Director to maintain appropriate technical and visual standards.
STUDIO STRUCTURE:
Forbidden Kemono Studio is currently an independent, revenue-share-based studio.
At this stage, positions are not hourly or salaried. Team members contribute under our studio agreements and participate in the applicable revenue-share structure.
Our long-term goal is to grow toward paid development positions and eventually operate at an AA level.
LOCATION:
USA & Canada ONLY
Remote position.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply through our studio application:
https://www.jotform.com/app/forbidden-kemono-studio/forbidden-kemono-studio-job-applica

Work arrangement
Yes