3D Lead Artist at Frontier (Cambridge, UK)

Are you an experienced 3D artist and natural leader with a passion for shaping and delivering breathtaking scenery for iconic video games? If you are searching for an incredible opportunity to guide talented creators, Frontier—an independent video game developer and publisher renowned worldwide for crafting immersive gaming experiences, fun gameplay, and unparalleled artistic quality—is actively looking for a dedicated Lead Artist to join our dynamic team.

Based in our modern studio located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK), this role invites you to immerse yourself in iconic creative management simulation games that captivate millions of players globally. Whether you prefer working on a full in-studio basis or a hybrid model (requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in the studio), Frontier provides a supportive, creative environment. Furthermore, we offer a comprehensive relocation support package as part of any offer, should you need to move to the UK.

Job Summary : Lead Artist

About Frontier Developments

Frontier is an independent video game developer and publisher, crafting immersive gaming experiences with fun gameplay and unparalleled artistic quality. Renowned for its iconic creative management simulation games, Frontier captivates players worldwide with immersive and authentic game worlds. The modern studio is located in the vibrant technology hub of Cambridge (UK). The talented team at Frontier are dedicated to nurturing our existing portfolio and delivering our exciting future roadmap. We love what we do, and we work hard to provide outstanding experiences for our players.

What’s the Role?

Frontier Developments is looking for a Lead Artist to help shape and deliver the scenery for our games, leading a small team to create high-quality 3D assets including props, modular building sets, and assembled environment content. In this role, you’ll be responsible for guiding your team to deliver work that meets expectations for quality, performance, and schedule, while maintaining a strong and consistent visual style. Just as importantly, you’ll support the growth and wellbeing of the artists you work with, helping them develop their skills and confidence through clear direction, feedback, and regular support.

Key Responsibilities & What You’ll Be Doing:

• Leading the delivery of scenery assets and set-based content across your team’s workstreams, ensuring output meets quality, performance, and schedule expectations.
• Translating art direction into clear, actionable goals and supporting your team to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
• Working closely with Production to plan work, provide estimates, track progress, and identify risks early.
• Supporting your team day-to-day by reviewing work, providing clear feedback, and helping to resolve challenges to keep delivery moving.
• Ensuring assets are combined into cohesive, believable scenery that supports gameplay, readability, and visual storytelling.
• Maintaining alignment with technical requirements, pipelines, and performance constraints.
• Line managing artists, supporting their development through feedback, coaching, and structured growth.
• Assigning work effectively to balance delivery needs with individual development.
• Creating a positive, collaborative team environment where people feel supported and motivated.
• Acting as the main point of contact for scenery-related work, collaborating with Art Direction, Production, and other teams to keep everything aligned and moving forward.
• Contributing to team planning and resourcing, supporting improvements to workflows and processes, and working with external partners where required.

What You’ll Bring (Requirements & Skills):

To thrive in this role, candidates must possess a strong foundational mix of artistic talent, hands-on tool mastery, and leadership capabilities:

• Strong experience delivering high-quality 3D assets within a game development environment.
• Highly developed capability in asset creation workflows, including modelling, texturing, and real-time integration.
• Solid hands-on experience with industry tools such as Maya, Substance Painter, and ZBrush.
• Experience leading or coordinating a team delivering content at scale.
• Experience line managing individuals, including performance reviews, goal setting, and development planning.
• A good understanding of production pipelines, scheduling, and working across disciplines.
• The ability to balance visual quality with performance and delivery constraints.
• Strong artistic judgement, including composition, scale, and visual storytelling.
• Clear communication, organisation, and decision-making skills.

Bonus Skills & Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience working with outsourcing teams and external partners.
• Experience supporting team planning or resourcing.
• Familiarity with modular workflows, kit building, or large asset libraries.
• An interest in improving workflows, tools, or processes.
• Experience working in different styles or across different types of projects.
• Exposure to areas like foliage, terrain, or organic asset creation.

What We Can Offer You

You will work with talented and passionate people to support, develop, or publish our sophisticated and enduring games, in a creative, collaborative, and inclusive environment. We strive to create an environment where everyone can fully demonstrate their capability and potential.

Comprehensive Benefits Package:

• Competitive Salary & Financial Incentives: Includes a competitive salary package, a success-based annual bonus, and share option schemes.
• Health & Life Security: Private family healthcare, life assurance, and enhanced maternity/paternity leave.
• Workplace Flexibility: Flexitime working hours and a balanced hybrid or in-studio working setup.
• Wellbeing Support: Wellbeing is a big focus at Frontier, and we are continually evolving how we support our people through dedicated activities, initiatives, and mental/physical health sessions.
• On-Site Perks: In-house subsidised catering, social activities, and events.
• Commuter & Eco Perks: Support with relocation, a Cycle to Work scheme, and free bike servicing.

How to Apply & Reasonable Adjustments

If you need any reasonable adjustments to support you during the recruitment process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition representative. For any questions or queries regarding this incredible lead art opportunity in Cambridge, please reach out directly via email at recruitment@frontier.co.uk.