[Remote] Expert Character Artist

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. 31st Union, a diverse game development studio within 2K, is seeking an Expert Character Artist to contribute to the quality and evolution of its project’s character art. The role creates production-ready character assets, solves complex artistic and technical challenges, establishes standards, collaborates across disciplines, mentors artists, and oversees external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Create benchmark characters, creatures, and weapons from high-resolution sculpts through modeling, topology, UVs, bakes, texture painting, materials, and engine integration
• Own complex character assignments, translating concepts and briefs into visually compelling, technically sound assets that support gameplay, animation, narrative, and project-wide art direction
• Help establish and uphold visual and technical standards through benchmark assets, documentation, and practical solutions that improve consistency and production quality
• Partner with art and cross-discipline teams to resolve challenges and ensure assets deform, perform, and read as intended in game
• Mentor other artists through thoughtful critique and example-setting while actively identifying opportunities to improve workflows and processes
• Self-manage assignments and priorities, maintaining alignment with leadership while proactively identifying dependencies and risks
• Provide craft oversight for external art vendors by clarifying expectations, reviewing deliverables, giving actionable feedback, and ensuring work meets established visual, technical, and production standards

Skills

• Typically 8+ years of professional character art experience in games, with experience contributing to multiple shipped titles
• An exceptional online portfolio (with breakdowns) demonstrating character work that illustrates artistic judgment, technical execution and stylistic range
• Mastery of anatomy, proportion, costume, color, materials, and design
• Expert command of real-time character pipelines including; high-resolution sculpting and modeling, game topology, UVs, texturing (realistic and non-photorealistic), PBR and NPR materials, performance optimization, and engine integration
• Expert proficiency with ZBrush, Maya, Substance 3D Painter, Unreal Engine, Photoshop, and/or equivalent software
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex visual and technical problems, resolve production tradeoffs, work within an established visual direction, and improve quality while supporting downstream departments
• Proven ability to work independently, make sound craft decisions, manage complex assignments, collaborate effectively across disciplines, communicate clearly, and mentor other artists

Benefits

• A bonus and/or equity awards
• Eligibility to participate in the Company’s 401(K) plan
• Eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company’s discretionary time off program
• Up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year
• Paid parental and compassionate leave
• Wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support
• Family planning support through Maven
• Commuter benefits
• Reimbursements for fitness-related expenses

Company Overview

• 2K is a development studio that develops and publishes sports-based video games. It is a sub-organization of Take-Two Interactive Software. It was founded in 2005, and is headquartered in Novato, California, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is http://2k.com.

Company H1B Sponsorship

• 2K has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 16 in 2026, 18 in 2025, 11 in 2024, 19 in 2023, 15 in 2022, 24 in 2021, 19 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.