3D Character Artist

About Steel City Interactive

SCI was born out of passion for video games and boxing, with the ambition to create an authentic and exciting boxing game that does justice to the sport we love. What started as a fun prototype has grown into ‘Undisputed’, the first major boxing video game in over a decade.  

SCI is a welcoming place for expression and open communication, where everyone has a voice. We’re a diverse bunch, consisting of people with decades of games industry experience, graduates and talented individuals who come from other industries. We all bring knowledge and learn from each other.

Together we are driven by ambition to bring the world of boxing into a video game like never before.  

The Role

As a 3D Character Artist, you’ll be responsible for modelling and texturing a diverse roster of boxers — each with unique body types, personalities, and fighting styles. Your work will directly reflect the required level of fidelity and detail we would expect from a AAA games studio.

Responsibilities

• Sculpt and model realistic, high-quality 3D boxer characters, including full-body anatomy, facial features, and detailed gear (gloves, shorts, wraps, etc.)
• Texture characters using PBR workflows, focusing on materials like skin, sweat, scars, and fabric
• Ensure clean, efficient topology for real-time performance and animation fidelity
• Work closely with animators, riggers, and technical artists to ensure smooth deformation, expressive facial rigging, and full-body motion
• Design and implement damage states, such as bruising, swelling, and sweat buildup, across rounds or fight progressions
• Support with the development of our internal character creation pipelines, including modular systems for customisation (e.g. gloves, shorts, tattoos).
• Support character LOD creation, mesh optimisation, and in-engine implementation (primarily Unreal Engine 5)

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• 3+ years' experience as a 3D character artist in the games industry (or equivalent with a strong portfolio)
• Expert knowledge of ZBrush, Maya or Blender, Substance Painter, and related tools
• Good level of experience in using industry proven game engines – Unity & Unreal.
• Strong understanding of human anatomy, physical form, and facial construction
• Proven experience creating realistic or hyper-real characters, especially with athletic builds
• Experience in optimising characters to be game ready.
• Excellent understanding of UV mapping, topology, and texturing best practices
• Ability to work independently and adapt quickly to feedback and iteration

Desirable

• Experience with muscle systems, skin weighting, or rigging pipelines
• Prior work on combat sports, fighting games, or realistic animation-driven titles
• Familiarity with face and body scan data workflows.
• Experience with modular customisation systems for character cosmetics.

What we offer

Healthy work-life balance:

• 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), that increases 1 day per year of service.
• Christmas shut down
• Holiday exchange programme
• Flexible working hours

Support for family life:

• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• Private Healthcare which includes Optical & Dental

Great office environment:

• A dog friendly studio based in Sheffield, with free snacks, fruit and drinks!
• Free parking

Health & wellbeing support:

• Company sick pay
• 2 days paid Mental Health leave per year
• Access to 24/7 doctors
• Employee Assistance Programme
• £300 wellbeing stipend every January

Learning support:

• Learning days
• Unlimited access to Udemy courses

Additional financial support:

• Technology scheme (up to £750)
• Discount Club at over 350 high street stores
• Discretionary Cost of Living Payments
• Relocation benefits
• Electric Car Vehicle Scheme
• Bonus

Connection and perks:

• Wrap parties & company paid outings
• Individual entertainment budget to cover team events

Steel City Interactive is an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to building a diverse team and welcome all applications, considering them without regard to race, religion, belief, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender reassignment, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, sex or sexual orientation.

If you’re excited about this role and believe you would add value to our team, but don’t meet every single requirement, we would still like to hear from you – please let us know about the value you would bring in your application.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

Please be aware that all applications for roles submitted through our website will be managed by our external recruitment partner, Amiqus. While they will handle the processing and management of your application, your data will remain securely stored within our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your personal information. By submitting your CV through our website, you give your permission for your application to be managed by Amiqus and to be contacted by them on SCI’s behalf.