3D Item Artist

Responsibilities:

• Work side-by-side with artists on the Items team, under the direction of the Director to create the highest quality artwork and maintain artistic consistency and expectations set by the studio.
• Collaborate with Items Artists to review design, feedback and goals.
• Work with fellow artists to integrate and maintain an art pipeline for the Item creation process.
• Assist with mentorship of other team members within the team.
• Coordinate with outsourcing artists and provide thorough and consistent feedback to our outsource teams.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional experience in computer games.
• Experience with modelling items/props, weapons, outfits, armours - things that would be equipped/worn by characters.
• Strong proficiency with Maya, Zbrush, Marvelous Designer, Photoshop, and Substance Painter. 3D Studio Max is a plus.
• Experience with one or more outsourcing management projects in game or film industry.
• Solid understanding of topology, materials, textures.
• Great communication, organisation and management skills with the ability to help mentor your colleagues.
• An ability to identify any risks and issues in the outsourcing pipeline and proactively seek solutions.
• An understanding of game art production process and pipeline and a passion for games.
• A strong artistic vision to translate both organic and hard surface assets from concept to game-ready.
• Solid knowledge of high-poly modelling and digital sculpting, an exceptional understanding of form, shape, structure, and silhouette in regard to modelling.
• A superior eye for value, colour, and detail in creating textures - combined with a strong understanding of PBR.
• An ability to perform under pressure to meet deadlines.
• An ability to embrace and provide constructive artistic feedback.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An avid gamer with a deep understanding of our game, Path of Exile.

Additional Information:

• Portfolio and/or reel demonstrating relevant artistic skills required.
• Must be willing to complete an art test if requested to do so.

Location: On-site in Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand. Relocation assistance available for the right candidate if needed.

Employment Type: Full-time position - 40 hours a week.

About Grinding Gear Games: Grinding Gear Games is the developer and publisher of Path of Exile, the award-winning online ARPG. Founded and headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, the company was established in 2006 and released Path of Exile in 2013, winning GameSpot's PC Game of the Year Award that year. Since then, we have continued to evolve Path of Exile with over 45 expansions, eventually winning the 2020 BAFTA award for Best Evolving Game. Path of Exile 2 is in full production and has been released in Early Access as of Q4 2024 - we're looking for world-class artists, animators and programmers to help us continue to develop it. Come be part of our story and join us at Grinding Gear Games!