Character Artist

Join Romero Games as we develop John Romero’s next First Person Shooter in partnership with a major publisher! This is an unprecedented opportunity to join a thriving independent development studio and work on a high-profile title that will be played by millions of gamers worldwide.

We are looking for a Character Artist to join our growing team on a full-time basis. As a Character Artist, you’ll play a key role in crafting AAA-quality characters, creatures, and related assets for our games. This position requires a solid understanding of character design, 3D art pipelines, and the ability to collaborate closely with other team members to bring characters to life.

This position is open to remote work for the right candidate, and relocation to our office in Galway, Ireland is also possible.

Please note: this is not an entry level position

What you will do:

• Create high-quality characters, creatures, and some weapons, including sculpting, modelling, UV mapping, texturing, and material creation

• Engine integration within Unreal 5 and working in subversion systems as well as Jira for task creation

• Work closely with the Art Director and other team members to ensure assets align with the project’s visual style and quality standards

• Collaborate with animators and riggers to deliver assets ready for production

• Provide input on character pipeline improvements and technical problem-solving

• Follow the production schedule and deliver work on time while maintaining quality

• Take feedback constructively and apply it to your work to improve quality and consistency

What you need to have:

• High proficiency with industry leading tools used for character creation - 3DS Max, Maya, Z-Brush, Substance, Marvelous Designer and others 

• Strong high- and low-poly modelling skills with experience in PBR workflows for texturing and shading

• A good understanding of human and animal anatomy, materials, and costume design

• Professional knowledge of Unreal Engine and experience implementing character assets into the engine

• At least 2–3 years of professional experience in the game industry with contributions to at least one shipped title

• Receptiveness to feedback and the ability to iterate on your work

• Solid communication skills and the ability to work well within a team

• Passion for gaming and an eagerness to grow your skills

• Solid grasp of color theory and lighting techniques for quality presentation and the best player experience

What is nice to have:

• Traditional art skills such as drawing, painting, or sculpting

• A portfolio showcasing a range of character art, including hard surface and organic models

• Basic technical knowledge about modularity of character sets

• Familiarity with tools like Marvelous Designer or advanced techniques for character detailing

• Samples from previous industry work

Benefits

• Ownership. Everyone in the company benefits from ownership in the company. Every full-time Romero Games employee is given a stake. (This benefit is not open to contractors.)

• Vacation: Time off for vacation. Five weeks vacation per year + 10 national holidays. Extra vacation days after 5 and 10 years of service.

• Hybrid Working. Flexible working hours, including work-from-home and remote work.

• Sabbaticals: At 5+ years, should you choose to take unpaid time for a personal project, we will cover 20% of your pay provided that it is in your area of interest.

• Premium Health. Premium health benefits, plus extended healthcare coverage.

• Fertility Leave: For employees undergoing IVF treatment, surrogacy or other forms of fertility treatment, two days per cycle for recovery or travel.

• Relocation assistance. Flexible start dates, relocation reimbursement and assistance in finding housing. 

• Life-Friendly Policies: We understand that work is one of the things that you do and that life happens. We have a long and consistent pattern of life-friendly management, whether taking your kids to creche, assisting your parents with an appointment, or taking your pet to the vet.

• Menopause: Up to five days off per year for appointments or recovery days.

• Compassionate Leave / Bereavement. We support employees by offering paid time off during bereavement for immediate family. This includes loss of pregnancy, including the loss of surrogate pregnancy.

• Parental Leave and Support. Family-focused benefits include fully paid maternity and paternity leave and flexible work hours. Most people here are parents. We get it.

• Professional Development: World-class workshops on accessibility, diversity, design and more, from internationally recognized experts.

• Social Events. Regular social events such as pub nights (including online pub nights), holiday parties, barbecues and conferences, with accommodation and travel covered by us. 

• Expert Speakers. Monthly insider expert seminars with renowned creators such as John Carmack, Rhianna Pratchett (Tomb Raider), Warren Spector (Deus Ex), David Brevik (Diablo), Harvey Smith (Dishonored), Josh Sawyer (Pillars of Eternity), and more.

• Bike to Work Programme: Within Ireland, using the Bike-to-Work government initiative, employees obtain a brand new bike and safety equipment worth up to €1,250 for a regular bike, and up to €1,500 for an electric bike. The scheme covers your new bike and gear, saving 52% of the retail price of bike and equipment. https://www.biketowork.ie/