Lead Level Artist (remote) in Deutschland

What are you working on?

• At what stage of the project(s)? Third-person survival horror with atmospheric, story-driven locations
• Platforms: Console, PC

Values Value is a recruiting company with expertise in game development and is currently looking for a Lead Level Artist for an independent game development PC/ console AA-AAA games studio. Created in 2000, the studio is known for a detective adventure series and a horror franchise, with games available on all major platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC and Nintendo Switch.

The new project is a third-person survival horror built in Unreal Engine 5, currently at its very earliest stage. We're looking for a hands-on lead who will be able to build locations personally and set up and lead the Level Art team from the very start of production, shaping how the department works and how the game's spaces look and feel.

For which tasks (responsibilities)?

• Own the visual quality of game locations from blockout to final polish, ensuring they support gameplay, atmosphere and narrative

• Set up Level Art workflows, documentation and production standards from the start of the project

• Lead and grow the Level Art team: plan tasks, review work, give feedback and mentor

• Build locations hands-on as a Level Artist

• Work closely with the Art Director and Game Director: translate the overall visual direction into concrete solutions for each location 

• Partner with Level Designers to turn gameplay spaces into believable, visually compelling places that respect gameplay requirements

• Collaborate with Tech Art, Lighting, VFX, Programming and Production to hit quality, optimization and performance targets

• Define modular kits and environment building blocks for specific architectural styles and historical periods

• Evaluate new tools, technologies and industry best practices to improve the pipeline

What kind of professional are we looking for?

• Proven experience creating environments or levels for games (Level Artist, Environment Artist or a similar role)

• Experience leading, mentoring or coordinating a team of artists in production

• Credits on at least one shipped AA or AAA title; experience taking a project through to release is valued more than years in a title

• Strong understanding of composition, visual storytelling, player navigation and spatial design

• Advanced experience with Unreal Engine 5 is a strong advantage; solid experience with custom or proprietary engines is also welcome

• Practical knowledge of modular environment creation and procedural workflows

• Excellent eye for lighting, atmosphere, scale, color and environmental composition

• Proficiency with 3ds Max, Maya, Blender or similar; the ability to create your own content (modeling, scanning) is a plus

• Experience profiling and optimizing environments for real-time performance and memory

• Upper-Intermediate English or higher: documentation and official communication in the company are in English

• Experience on atmospheric, narrative-driven or horror games is a strong plus

• A background in architecture, interior design or a related artistic discipline is a plus

What is important for us in a person?

• Hands-on – leads by example and stays close to the actual work

• Ownership – takes full responsibility for locations and the team's results

• Working within art direction – comfortable developing solutions inside an existing visual vision

• Research-driven – curious about references, history and architecture; plays games and is ready to research the genre

• Coaching and clarity – develops artists and explains not just what to do, but why

• Process builder – likes setting up workflows and standards from scratch

• Open, direct communication – works well across disciplines and with leadership

Why do we enjoy working here?

• Joining at the very start of a new project, with real influence on processes and the final look of the game

• A compact team where every opinion matters and your impact goes beyond Level Art

• A unique mix of an indie approach and serious, high-quality production, without the rigid hierarchy of large studios

• An opportunity to step into a lead role and build a department your way

• A studio with a long track record of shipped titles in the narrative and horror genres

What are the conditions and bonuses?

• Fully remote, or on-site / hybrid for Kyiv-based specialists

• Contractor cooperation

• Paid vacation

• A clear probation plan agreed with you before the offer

The selection process

• Screening with the Values Value recruiter

• Interview with the Art Director, Head of Production and the team

• Test task (optional)

• Final interview with management

• Offer