Lead Character Artist job at Keen Games, 2026
Keen Games, the award-winning independent developer and publisher behind the global breakout hit Enshrouded, is looking for a visionary Lead Character Artist. Following our massive success in Early Access throughout 2024, we are now aggressively scaling our production to prepare for the highly anticipated 1.0 launch and the long-term expansion of the Enshrouded universe. As a Lead at Keen Games, you will join a team of seasoned, humble, and incredibly driven professionals. This isn’t just about managing a department; it’s about establishing the visual soul of our world—crafting the wondrous creatures, intricate attire, and fascinating survivors that millions of players interact with every day. If you possess a rare blend of high-level artistic direction and elite hands-on production skills, we want to empower you to lead our character art team. Job Overview: Lead Character Artist Category Details Company Name Keen Games Position Title Lead Character Artist Project Enshrouded (PC & Console) Job Type Full-Time Employment Level Senior / Professional Location Frankfurt am Main, Germany / Fully Remote Department Character Art Core Software ZBrush, Substance, Blender (Preferred), Proprietary Engine Professional Salary & Compensation Keen Games offers a competitive salary package that recognizes senior-level expertise and the responsibilities of a Lead role. While exact figures are tailored to individual experience and geographic location, the following benchmarks apply: Compensation Component Estimated Range / Detail Base Annual Salary €75,000 – €105,000 EUR (Based on Seniority) Benefits Package Comprehensive Health Care, Social Benefits Paid Time Off Competitive Vacation Allowance + Public Holidays Perks Relocation Support (if moving to Frankfurt), Epic Studio Events The Opportunity: Shape a New World We are seeking a Lead Character Artist who is deeply passionate about the “Enshrouded” aesthetic—a blend of high-fantasy grit and atmospheric wonder. Your primary goal is to define and maintain the “quality bar” for every character and creature that enters our game world. In this role, you will be a player-coach. You will drive the visual identity of our characters from the front lines, modeling and sculpting key assets while simultaneously guiding a team of internal artists and external outsourcing partners to reach their peak potential. Core Responsibilities 1. Artistic Direction & Quality Control Establish the Bar: Define and document high visual quality standards and style guides for all character-related assets to ensure consistency across the 1.0 launch. Consistency Oversight: Maintain a cohesive look between player armor, NPCs, and the terrifying creatures of the Shroud. Readability & Design: Collaborate with the Design and Animation departments to ensure character silhouettes and details support gameplay mechanics and player readability. 2. Hands-on Production Elite Craftsmanship: Model, sculpt, and texture high-fidelity, game-ready characters, gear, and creatures. Workflow Optimization: Work closely with the Engineering team to refine character pipelines and ensure seamless integration into our custom proprietary engine. Optimization: Balance visual “wow-factor” with technical performance, ensuring assets are optimized for both high-end PCs and next-gen consoles. 3. Team Leadership & Mentorship Growth & Support: Act as a mentor to internal character artists, providing constructive feedback, paintovers, and technical guidance to foster professional growth. Outsourcing Management: Act as the primary point of contact for external studios. You will provide clear briefs, technical specifications, and visual feedback to ensure third-party assets meet Keen Games’ internal standards. Production Planning: Work alongside the Production team to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and ensure the character pipeline remains on schedule for major milestones. Required Qualifications Industry Veteran: Extensive experience in character art for games, with a proven track record of shipping high-quality titles (AA or AAA preferred). Anatomical Mastery: A deep, expert-level understanding of both human and animal/creature anatomy. Technical Proficiency: Mastery of industry-standard modeling and texturing tools (ZBrush, Maya/Max, Substance Suite). Pipeline Knowledge: A thorough understanding of modern character pipelines, including LOD strategies, PBR workflows, and engine integration. Communication: Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to articulate artistic concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Skills (Nice to Have) Blender Proficiency: Experience with Blender is a significant plus, as it is a core part of our workflow. Conceptual Ability: Strong drawing or 2D skills that allow you to create your own concepts or provide visual “paintovers” for feedback. Proprietary Tech: Experience working with custom, non-commercial game engines. What We Offer Working at Keen Games means joining a diverse and supportive culture where “Personality over Paper” is a core value. We prioritize your passion and your portfolio over formal degrees. Creative Independence: We celebrate independent thinkers who take ownership of their work. Culture of Excellence: You’ll be surrounded by super-experienced developers who remain humble and collaborative. Epic Celebrations: We believe in celebrating our wins with unforgettable parties and studio-wide events. Flexibility: Whether you prefer our modern Frankfurt office or the comfort of your home, we are a Remote-First friendly studio. How to Apply Ready to bring the characters of Enshrouded to life? Please submit your CV and a link to your Portfolio/ArtStation. Your portfolio should clearly demonstrate your ability to handle both organic sculpting (creatures/humans) and hard-surface modeling (armor/gear). Keen Games — Be Part of the Legend.