Hiring: Skilled 3D Generalist Character Modeler/ Animator

Long-Term Opportunity | Potential Full-Time Position | Indie Game Development

Job Description

We are independent game development studio seeking a talented, creative, and reliable 3D Generalist to assist with several ongoing video game projects.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable working across multiple areas of 3D development, including character modeling, environmental modeling, texturing, rigging, and animation.

This position is intended to develop into a full-time, long-term opportunity for the right candidate.

While specialists are welcome to apply, priority will be given to experienced 3D Generalists who demonstrate strong skills in modeling, high-quality texturing, and character animation.

Our projects primarily involve stylized anime-inspired visuals, immersive environments, and interactive gameplay systems developed in Unreal Engine.

Primary Responsibilities

1. 3D Character Modeling

- Create high-quality, stylized anime-inspired 3D characters from concept art and references.
- Model both male and female characters with accurate anatomy, proportions, and silhouettes.
- Create detailed clothing, hairstyles, accessories, and character variations.
- Develop characters suitable for real-time gameplay.
- Optimize character models while maintaining visual quality.
- Modify and improve existing 3D models when necessary.

2. Texturing and Materials

- Create detailed, professional-quality textures for characters, clothing, props, and environments.
- Work with stylized anime materials and realistic or semi-realistic textures when required.
- Produce clean UV maps and properly organized texture sets.
- Maintain consistent visual quality across different game assets.
- Understand PBR workflows and materials compatible with Unreal Engine.

Strong texturing abilities are extremely important for this position.

3. Character Rigging and Animation

- Rig humanoid characters for gameplay and cinematic sequences.
- Create smooth, natural character animations.
- Produce idle, walking, running, crouching, and other basic movement animations.
- Animate character interactions with environmental objects and other characters.
- Create expressive facial animations, gestures, and body language.
- Develop custom animations based on video references or provided examples.
- Create animations for horror, stealth, simulation, and narrative-driven gameplay.
- Work with existing skeletons and animation systems when possible.

Experience with animation retargeting and Unreal Engine skeleton compatibility is highly desirable.

4. Environmental Modeling and Props

- Create interior and exterior environments for video games.
- Model residential buildings, apartments, houses, stores, and other urban environments.
- Develop furniture, appliances, decorative objects, and interactive props.
- Create environmental assets for horror-themed locations, including mansions and abandoned buildings.
- Optimize environments for real-time performance.
- Work with existing marketplace assets and modify them to fit project requirements.

5. Game Asset Integration

- Prepare and export models for use in Unreal Engine. (And or other game engines as needed)
- Ensure models have appropriate topology, materials, UVs, and skeletal structures.
- Assist with importing and configuring character animations.
- Troubleshoot issues involving meshes, textures, and animation compatibility.
- Collaborate on asset optimization and organization.

Current Project Styles

Our development projects include:

Anime-Inspired Life Simulation

A stylized anime life simulator featuring interactive characters, residential neighborhoods, interior environments, and everyday activities.

Assets may include:

- Anime-style characters and alternate outfits.
- Everyday character animations and interactions.
- Residential buildings and neighborhood assets.
- Furniture, household appliances, and interactive objects.
- Character expressions and relationship-driven animations.

Stealth Horror

A horror experience featuring supernatural humanoid characters, detailed environments, and character-driven interactions.

Assets may include:

- Stylized supernatural and humanoid character models.
- Unique character animations and movement styles.
- Detailed mansion interiors and environmental props.
- Suspenseful character interactions and horror animations.
- Character outfits, accessories, and variations.

Multiplayer Survival Horror

An anime-inspired asymmetric survival horror experience.

Assets may include:

- Stylized playable characters.
- Character outfits and cosmetic variations.
- Movement, combat, and interaction animations.
- Environmental objects and map assets.
- Unique character-specific animations.

Preferred Qualifications

We are primarily interested in candidates who possess:

- 2–5+ years of demonstrable 3D development experience.
- Strong proficiency in Blender, Maya, 3ds Max, or comparable 3D software.
- Excellent character modeling and texturing abilities.
- Experience creating stylized anime-inspired characters.
- Practical knowledge of character rigging and animation.
- Familiarity with Unreal Engine workflows.
- Understanding of topology, UV mapping, and optimization.
- Ability to work independently using visual references and written instructions.
- Strong communication skills and professional reliability.
- Ability to provide regular progress updates and meet agreed-upon deadlines.

Experience creating complete game-ready characters, from modeling and texturing through rigging and animation, will receive the highest consideration.

Additional Skills That Are a Plus

- Unreal Engine 5 experience.
- Anime shaders and stylized material creation.
- Facial rigging and expression systems.
- Character clothing and accessory creation.
- Animation retargeting.
- Experience with marketplace assets.
- Blendshapes and morph targets.
- Basic understanding of game development pipelines.
- Experience with mature-rated video game projects.

Important Information

Some of our projects involve mature themes, horror, violence, and adult-oriented content.

Applicants should be comfortable working on projects intended for mature audiences.

Not every project involves mature content, and assignments will vary depending on development requirements.

Employment Opportunity

We are looking to establish a long-term working relationship with a dependable and talented artist.

The position may begin with individual assignments or a paid trial project to evaluate compatibility, work quality, and communication.

Our primary goal is to find the right candidate for consistent, potentially full-time employment.

We value reliability, communication, creativity, and attention to detail just as much as technical ability.

Candidates who consistently deliver quality work and demonstrate versatility will be prioritized for ongoing development opportunities.

How to Apply

Please include the following information in your application:

1. Your portfolio showcasing your best 3D modeling, texturing, and animation work.
2. Your years of professional experience.
3. The 3D software you primarily use.
4. Your experience with Unreal Engine, if applicable.
5. Examples of completed, game-ready character models.
6. Examples of animations you personally created.
7. Your desired monthly salary or hourly rate for long-term employment.
8. Your availability for consistent or full-time work.

Important: Please specify which parts of your portfolio you personally created, particularly modeling, texturing, rigging, and animation.

Applications demonstrating strong abilities in all three priority areas, modeling, texturing, and animation, will receive preference.

We are particularly interested in artists who are passionate about independent game development and interested in growing alongside our projects.

We look forward to reviewing your work!