Lead VR Environment Artist

Our client, a renowned studio at the forefront of virtual reality development, is seeking an experienced Lead VR Environment Artist to spearhead the creation of breathtaking virtual worlds. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your artistic vision and leadership skills from anywhere. You will be responsible for guiding a team of talented artists, defining the aesthetic direction, and ensuring the highest quality of environmental assets and scenes for our upcoming VR projects.

We are looking for an individual with a proven track record in game development, a passion for VR, and exceptional artistic talent. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced remote setting and be adept at managing both creative and technical aspects of environment art production.

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of environment artists, providing clear direction and constructive feedback.
• Define and maintain the artistic style and technical standards for VR environments.
• Oversee the creation of high-quality 3D models, textures, lighting, and post-processing effects for immersive environments.
• Collaborate closely with level designers, art directors, and engineers to realize project vision.
• Develop and implement efficient workflows and pipelines for environment asset creation and integration in game engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine)."
• Optimize environments for performance on target VR hardware, ensuring smooth frame rates and visual fidelity.
• Conduct art reviews and ensure consistency and quality across all environmental assets.
• Stay current with VR technology, industry trends, and best practices in environment art.
• Contribute as a hands-on artist, creating key environment assets and establishing benchmarks.

• Over 7 years of experience in 3D environment art, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role on shipped titles.
• Extensive experience specifically in VR development and optimization.
• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional environment art for games, with a focus on realistic or stylized VR experiences.
• Proficiency in industry-standard 3D modeling and texturing software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Substance Painter, Photoshop).
• Expertise in at least one major game engine (Unity or Unreal Engine) and its environment creation tools.
• Solid understanding of P  workflows, lighting, and composition.
• Experience with performance optimization techniques for real-time rendering.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills for effective remote team management.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, stock options, and opportunities for professional growth.
• As a remote-first organization, we provide flexibility in working hours, a home office setup allowance, and regular team-building activities.
• This role, while based in the vibrant city of George, Western Cape, ZA , is entirely remote, offering a unique opportunity to join a leading VR studio from your home office.