At ArenaNet, we've always believed that games are art. They have the power to communicate ideas and tell stories. They can change the way we think, reflect our cultures, and move us. As the developer of the award-winning Guild Wars game series, we're proud to share our passion for the online worlds we've created with over 11 million players worldwide.
ArenaNet develops and publishes games for every kind of person, which means our games need to be built by every kind of person. We believe the best experiences come from working together, celebrating differences, and helping each of our team members shine.
We are looking for a Lead Character Artist who shares our passion for creating worlds and the characters that fill them. This position will spearhead both internal and external creature art teams will play a crucial role in shaping and maintaining the quality of our characters in addition to creating bar-setting content. You will work closely with the Art Director, contribute creatively to our playable characters, and you will play a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of our unannounced AAA game.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead a team of talented 3D character artists, both internal and external, setting the bar for character design quality and ensuring the team's artistic vision aligns with the game's overall aesthetic.
• Create high-quality 3D character models from concept to completion, ensuring they are optimized for real-time rendering while maintaining a high level of visual fidelity.
• Collaborate closely with the Art Director, Concept Artists, Game Designers, Engineers, and Animators to bring characters to life, ensuring they seamlessly fit into the game's world and contribute to gameplay mechanics.
• Work with the Art Director to define and maintain the visual style and consistency of the game's characters, ensuring they resonate with our target audience.
• Help us push the current expectations and standards of character pipelines as well as maximize efficiency and quality while keeping up with industry best practices.
• Work with the Art Manager to help provide guidance, mentorship, and feedback to other artists, helping them develop their skills and grow.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• A proven track record as a high-level 3D character artist with a minimum of 7 years of experience in the gaming industry, including leadership roles.
• Strong Problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to asset and game creation. As well as a strong willingness to drive content. We believe in empowering professionals with freedom and support so they can leverage their expertise.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.
• A strong portfolio showcasing your character modeling and texturing skills, highlighting your ability to create stylized characters with personality and flair across the spectrum of anatomy and hard surfaces.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring abilities, with experience in guiding a team of artists.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and knowledge of PBR workflows.
• A genuine passion for video games and a deep understanding of what makes characters engaging to players.
• A willingness to adapt to evolving project requirements and the ability to thrive in a dynamic and creative environment.

We are open to remote work from the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, MD, NC, NY, OR, TX, UT, WA and WI or onsite/hybrid/flex at our office in Bellevue, WA.
Total compensation is salary plus an annual bonus potential. Please note that the listed pay range is a general guideline only. We take into consideration the geography in which you live and your experience and qualifications when determining final salary. This role is also eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance, short and long term disability, 401(k), flexible and dependent care spending accounts, PTO, paid holidays and parental leave.
Remote pay range
$112,000-$165,000 USD