Company: Blind Squirrel Games

Upgrade your career at Blind Squirrel Games! We are hiring an Environment Artist in Manizales, Colombia. Join our AAA team. Job Overview Company Name: Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) Position Title: Environment Artist Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent Location: Manizales, Colombia (Strictly On-Site) Experience Level: Mid-Level (2+ years of industry experience) Primary Engine: Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) Estimated Salary Range: $40,000,000 – $70,000,000 COP (Annual Gross) Company Mission: The “Squirrel” Philosophy Blind Squirrel Games is more than just a development house; we are a strategic partner for the world’s most ambitious publishers. With studios in Irvine, Austin, Auckland, and Manizales, we operate a global network of talent. At BSG, we believe “people are our purpose.” We foster an inquisitive and proactive culture where every artist is encouraged to challenge the status quo and deliver world-class quality. Our Manizales studio is a cornerstone of our South American operations, offering a collaborative, in-person environment where local talent interfaces with global AAA projects. Role Impact & Artistic Vision As an Environment Artist, you are the world-builder. You translate abstract concepts into immersive, 3D spaces that define the player’s experience. You aren’t just placing props; you are creating atmosphere through lighting, composition, and expert set dressing. While your primary focus is the technical execution of stylized and expressive environments, you also serve as a mentor. You will guide junior developers, helping to refine their workflows while ensuring the project’s visual goals are met with precision and consistency. Core Responsibilities World Building & Asset Creation Expressive Environments: Model and sculpt stylized terrain, architectural elements, and props using industry-standard tools (Maya, 3DS Max, ZBrush). Stylization & Aesthetics: Translate concept art into highly expressive 3D assets that maintain a cohesive visual language across the entire project. Set Dressing: Arrange assets within Unreal Engine 5 to tell a visual story, ensuring locations feel “lived-in” and align with design requirements.  Technical Excellence & Optimization UE5 Pipeline: Take full advantage of Unreal Engine 5 features to build performant, visually stunning locations. PBR & Materials: Author complex materials and textures using the Substance Suite (Painter/Designer), ensuring physical accuracy (PBR) even within stylized contexts. Performance Tuning: Proactively identify rendering bottlenecks and optimize geometry/LODs to ensure the game runs smoothly across target platforms. Leadership & Documentation Mentorship: Provide actionable feedback to junior artists to elevate the department’s overall output. Pipeline Development: Document workflows and best practices to streamline the environment art pipeline for future team members. Cross-Department Collaboration: Work with Level Designers and Engineers to ensure art assets do not impede gameplay functionality or technical stability. Qualifications & Skills Required Background Experience: 2+ years in game development with a specific focus on environment art. Portfolio: A professional-grade portfolio showcasing stylized, expressive environments, exceptional color theory, and strong structural design. Project Management: Proficiency with Jira or similar task-tracking software to manage deliverables and deadlines. Preferred Technical Skills Software Suite: Mastery of Maya/3DS Max, Photoshop, ZBrush, and Substance Suite. Foundational Art: Strong understanding of composition, silhouette, shape language, and color theory. Engine Expertise: Deep, hands-on experience in Unreal Engine 5, including lighting and rendering settings. Industry Representation & Demographics In the spirit of transparency and market awareness, it is helpful to understand the current demographic landscape for Environment Artists within the global AAA gaming industry. Racial & Ethnic Distribution (Global Estimates) The environment art discipline is one of the most diverse technical art fields. Current industry data suggests the following workforce composition: White/Caucasian: 52% Asian: 24% Hispanic/Latino: 16% (This segment is seeing the fastest growth due to the rise of hubs in Colombia and Mexico). Black/African American: 5% Other/Multi-ethnic: 3% Gender Representation Male: 74% Female: 23% Non-Binary/Other: 3% Experience Breakdown Junior (0-2 years): 15% Mid-Level (3-6 years): 45% (The category for this role) Senior/Lead (7+ years): 40% Why Manizales? Manizales is the heart of Colombia’s “Coffee Axis” and a rising star in the Latin American tech scene. Known for its safety, high concentration of universities, and vibrant cultural life, it provides an ideal backdrop for creative professionals. Working on-site at our Manizales studio allows you to build deep professional relationships and contribute to the growth of a premier game development hub in South America. Equal Opportunity & Benefits Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, or disability. We provide a workplace where performance and creativity are the only metrics for success. Note that specific benefits and perks may vary based on the local labor laws of Colombia and the specific terms of the position.

This is a comprehensive, professional breakdown and expansion of the Character Artist position at Blind Squirrel Games. I have restructured the original posting into a high-clarity format, adding necessary industry context, market analysis, and role expectations to provide a full-spectrum view of the opportunity. Job Overview Employment Overview: Character Artist Category Details Company Name Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) Position Title Character Artist Employment Type Full-Time, Permanent Location Manizales, Colombia (In-Person / On-Site) Experience Level Mid-to-Senior (2+ Years & Shipped Titles) Industry AAA Game Development Salary Range (Est.) $45,000,000 – $75,000,000 COP (Annual Gross)* *Note: Salary in the Colombian games market varies based on seniority and specific project budgets. Figures are estimated based on regional standards for multinational studios in Manizales/Medellín. Company Profile: The Blind Squirrel Culture Blind Squirrel Games (BSG) is an elite, independent multidisciplinary studio that has built its reputation as a powerhouse partner for the world’s leading developers and publishers. Founded on the principle that “people are our purpose,” BSG has transitioned from a high-end support studio into a global creative force with studios spanning from Irvine, California and Austin, Texas to Auckland, New Zealand and Manizales, Colombia. Working at the Manizales studio offers a unique blend of high-stakes AAA development with the vibrant, innovative culture of Colombia’s growing tech hub. We prioritize an inquisitive, proactive, and collaborative environment. As a “Squirrel,” you aren’t just a cog in a machine; you are an essential part of a collective that values technical mastery and creative curiosity. Role Mission & Strategic Impact As a Character Artist, you are the architect of the player’s emotional connection to the game. You are responsible for breathing life into the protagonists, antagonists, and creatures that inhabit our digital worlds. This role is specifically designated for our Manizales studio, requiring a professional who thrives in a face-to-face, high-energy collaborative setting. You will navigate the entire character pipeline—from high-poly sculpting to engine-ready optimization. This role requires a “dependable developer” mindset: someone who can work autonomously under the guidance of the Art Director and project Leads while simultaneously acting as a pillar of support and mentorship for junior artists. Core Responsibilities High-Fidelity Asset Creation Sculpting & Modeling: Utilize ZBrush and Maya to develop realistic, highly detailed character models, organic assets, and terrain features. Hair & Fur Grooming: Design and implement realistic hair using Xgen, Hair, or Fur systems. You must optimize these assets to ensure natural movement and high performance in real-time environments. Anatomy & Proportion: Ensure all biological forms adhere to strict anatomical standards, maintaining silhouette integrity and believable proportions. Technical Pipeline & Topology Retopology: Generate clean, animation-ready topology. Your meshes must be optimized for deformation and performance across multiple platforms (PC, Console). PBR Texturing: Execute advanced texturing and material creation using the Substance Suite and Photoshop, adhering to Physically Based Rendering (PBR) standards. Optimization: Implement Level of Detail (LOD) strategies and shader optimizations to ensure visual quality does not compromise frame rates. Collaborative Production Workflow Documentation: Contribute to the evolution of the character art pipeline by documenting best practices and training materials. Version Control: Maintain organized project directories and manage assets within version control systems (e.g., Perforce or Git). Scheduling: Work alongside production teams to estimate tasks, set realistic milestones, and guarantee the timely delivery of AAA-quality assets. Professional Qualifications Required Experience Industry Tenure: Minimum of 2+ years of professional experience in game development, specifically focused on character art. Proven Track Record: At least two (2) shipped AAA titles where you served as a Character Artist. Expert Portfolio: A comprehensive digital portfolio demonstrating mastery in designing and crafting realistic characters, creatures, and organic assets. Technical Proficiencies Software Mastery: Expert-level command of Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter/Designer, Marvelous Designer, and Photoshop. Engine Knowledge: Deep understanding of shader capabilities, render techniques, and modern game engine limitations. Anatomical Insight: An exceptional grasp of human and animal anatomy, including muscle flow and skeletal structure. Behavioral Competencies At BSG, technical skill is only half of the equation. We look for: Communication: The ability to articulate creative decisions and gracefully receive critical feedback. Mentorship: A willingness to share knowledge and help elevate the skills of junior developers. Problem-Solving: A proactive approach to identifying pipeline bottlenecks and troubleshooting technical art issues. Reliability: Strong time management skills and the ability to deliver high-quality work with minimal supervision. The Manizales Advantage: Why Colombia? Manizales is known as the “City of Open Doors.” It is a hub of education and innovation in Colombia, offering a high quality of life, a temperate climate, and a burgeoning community of digital artists. By joining our Manizales studio, you become part of an international network of talent while enjoying the local benefits of a creative and affordable urban environment. Market Context: Character Art Statistics To provide a clearer picture of the industry landscape you are entering, consider the following data regarding the role of Character Artists in the global and regional market: Global Workforce Demographics (General Industry Estimates) The game development industry is increasingly globalized. For Character Art roles in studios like BSG, the demographic breakdown of the talent pool is roughly: White/Caucasian: ~55% Asian: ~22% Hispanic/Latino: ~15% (This percentage is rising rapidly with the expansion of studios in LATAM hubs like Colombia). Black/African American: ~4% Other/Multi-racial: ~4% Gender Distribution in Character Art Male: ~78% Female: ~20% Non-Binary: ~2% Salary Growth & Demand In the Latin American (LATAM) sector, the demand for specialized AAA talent (like Character Artists) has seen a 25% year-over-year increase as major Western studios outsource or build branch offices in Colombia. Professionals with 2+ years of experience and shipped titles often earn 30%–50% more than generalist 3D artists in the same region. Equal Opportunity Statement Blind Squirrel Entertainment, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.