Lead Character Artist - Overwatch | Irvine, CA

About the role

The Lead Character Artist will play a crucial role in expanding the Overwatch universe. They will work closely with designers, concept artists, technical artists, VFX artists, and animators to ensure that the characters they create enhance gameplay.

Responsibilities

• Create high-resolution sculpts and final game-resolution models with hand-authored textures using Photoshop.
• Combine traditional craftsmanship with next-gen materials to achieve Overwatch’s stylized aesthetic.
• Work closely with design, animation, VFX, and technical art in an open, feedback-driven pipeline.
• Manage and provide guidance to a team of character artists (internal & external), fostering professional growth and ensuring high-quality output.
• Coordinate and delegate tasks to align with project goals and deadlines, adapting plans as priorities evolve.
• Facilitate regular team meetings and feedback sessions to maintain clear communication and a collaborative environment.
• Collaborate with production and other leads to manage resources, resolve challenges, and support cross-functional initiatives.
• Drive the development and adaptation of best practices, workflows, and pipeline improvements for the character art team.
• Lead and manage a team of character artists, providing clear direction, mentorship, and support for professional growth.
• Ensure a balanced workload across the team, prioritizing artist wellbeing while maintaining high-quality output.
• Coordinate and delegate tasks effectively to align with evolving project goals and production timelines.

Requirements

• 8+ years of relevant professional experience, including experience leading or managing others.
• Shipped at least one AAA title for PC or console.
• Expert-level skills in Maya, ZBrush, and Photoshop.
• Deep understanding of anatomy, silhouette, and hard-surface modeling.
• Strong eye for light, shading, color, and detail in texture creation.
• Familiarity with next-gen asset pipelines and optimization techniques.
• Demonstrated proficiency in hard-surface poly modeling techniques.
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable working in both large and small teams.
• A passion for games and interactive storytelling.

Experience

• Familiarity with Blizzard’s visual style and a desire to evolve it.
• Experience designing visuals that support gameplay clarity.
• Skills in adjacent disciplines: illustration, animation, VFX, or tech art.
• Multiple years of experience leading educational, training, or mentorship initiatives.
• Contributions to a stylized or competitive multiplayer game.
• Proficient with modern content creation tools, including Substance Painter, Blender, and related applications.

Submission / Portfolio Requirements

A cover letter is required. A portfolio and/or reel demonstrating relevant artistic skills is required. Only online artwork submissions will be accepted (e.g., website, blog, or online album). Candidates may be asked to complete an art test.

Experience Minimum Requirements

• 8+ years of relevant professional experience, including experience leading or managing others.
• Shipped at least one AAA title for PC or console.
• Expert-level skills in Maya, ZBrush, and Photoshop.
• Deep understanding of anatomy, silhouette, and hard-surface modeling.
• Strong eye for light, shading, color, and detail in texture creation.
• Familiarity with next-gen asset pipelines and optimization techniques.
• Demonstrated proficiency in hard-surface poly modeling techniques.
• Strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable working in both large and small teams.
• A passion for games and interactive storytelling.

Pluses

• Familiarity with Blizzard’s visual style and a desire to evolve it.
• Experience designing visuals that support gameplay clarity.
• Skills in adjacent disciplines: illustration, animation, VFX, or tech art.
• Multiple years of experience leading educational, training, or mentorship initiatives.
• Contributions to a stylized or competitive multiplayer game.
• Proficient with modern content creation tools, including Substance Painter, Blender, and related applications.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered!

Qualifications

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.