Senior Character Artist at Ubisoft Montréal

Ubisoft Montréal is seeking a visionary and highly skilled Senior Character Artist to join the development team for Assassin’s Creed Invictus. This is a prestigious opportunity to contribute to one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history. As a Senior Artist, you will be at the forefront of character creation, setting the visual benchmark for realism, historical authenticity, and technical excellence.

Senior Character Artist – Job Overview

• Company: Ubisoft Montreal
• Project: Assassin’s Creed Invictus
• Role: Senior Character Artist
• Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Contract Status: Permanent Position
• Work Model: Office-based
• Estimated Salary Range: $85,000 – $125,000 CAD (depending on experience & seniority) 💰
• Core Software Requirements:ZBrush / Maya / 3ds Max / Substance Painter / Marvelous Designer

Company Description

Ubisoft Montréal is a global creator, publisher, and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands. The Montréal studio is the heart of many of these creations, providing a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation. Joining Ubisoft means becoming part of a community that thrives on pushing the boundaries of what is possible in digital entertainment.

Job Description & Core Mission as Character Artist

As a Senior Character Artist for Assassin’s Creed Invictus, your role transcends mere asset creation. You are a visual storyteller and a technical leader. You will be responsible for crafting high-fidelity, realistic characters that define the aesthetic of a flagship AAA title. This role requires a master-level understanding of human anatomy, historical costuming, and the technical constraints of modern game engines.

You will produce “Hero” characters—protagonists or key NPCs—that serve as the gold standard for the rest of the production team. Beyond your individual contributions, you will act as a pillar for the character art department, mentoring junior talent and refining the pipelines that allow the studio to ship world-class assets at scale.

Detailed Responsibilities as a Character Artist

1. High-End Character Production

• Hero Asset Creation: You will be tasked with creating the most complex characters in the game. This involves everything from high-poly sculpting in ZBrush to optimized low-poly modeling and intricate texturing.

• Monetization & Premium Outfits: A key aspect of Invictus involves developing premium outfits and skins. You will design and execute high-value cosmetic assets that meet the visual expectations of a global player base while maintaining the game’s internal logic and style.

• Artistic Translation: You will work closely with the Art Director to translate concept art and historical references into 3D assets that feel grounded, believable, and technically sound.

2. Technical Leadership & Pipeline Innovation

• Setting Benchmarks: Your work will serve as the “visual bar.” You will establish the quality standards for materials (skin, cloth, hair, metal) that other artists will follow.

• Workflow Optimization: You will identify bottlenecks in the character art pipeline and suggest tools or procedural methods (e.g., using Marvelous Designer for realistic cloth simulation) to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality.

• Cross-Department Collaboration: You will interface with the Rigging, Animation, and Technical Art teams to ensure that your characters are not only beautiful but also move realistically and perform efficiently within the game engine.

3. Mentorship and Team Growth

• Guidance: You will provide constructive feedback to junior and intermediate artists, helping them level up their sculpting and texturing skills.

• Knowledge Sharing: You will document your processes and conduct internal workshops to share best practices regarding new software updates or specialized techniques.

Qualifications: What You Bring to the Team

Professional Experience

• AAA Track Record: You must have a proven history of shipping high-quality, realistic characters for major titles. Experience with the Assassin’s Creed franchise or similar open-world realistic games is a significant advantage.

• Portfolio Excellence: A world-class portfolio is mandatory. We are looking for high-fidelity renders that demonstrate a mastery of skin shaders, intricate clothing layers, and realistic hair/grooming.

Technical Proficiencies

• Sculpting & Modeling: Expert-level command of ZBrush for organic sculpting and Maya or 3ds Max for hard-surface elements and retopology.

• Texturing & Shading: Advanced knowledge of PBR (Physically Based Rendering) workflows using Substance Painter and Designer.

• Cloth Simulation: Proficiency in Marvelous Designer to create believable garments that account for weight, fold patterns, and material thickness.

• Anatomy: A deep, fundamental understanding of human and animal anatomy, proportions, and silhouettes.

Soft Skills

• Communication: The ability to articulate artistic choices and technical constraints to non-artistic stakeholders.

• Adaptability: The gaming industry moves fast. You should be comfortable pivoting based on playtest feedback or changes in art direction.

• Collaborative Spirit: A desire to work in a multidisciplinary environment where the “best idea wins.”

Why Join Ubisoft Montréal?

Ubisoft Montreal is a global hub for video game development, and Ubisoft is at its center. Working on Assassin’s Creed Invictus offers the chance to define the future of a legendary franchise.

• Culture of Diversity: We believe that different backgrounds lead to better games.

• Professional Development: Access to world-class training, internal summits, and the latest hardware.

• Life in Montréal: Enjoy a vibrant, bilingual city known for its festivals, culinary scene, and high quality of life.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, please submit the following:

1. Updated CV: Highlight your specific contributions to shipped AAA titles.

2. Portfolio Link: This is the most critical part of your application. Ensure it features high-resolution breakdowns of realistic character work, showing both the high-poly sculpt and the final in-game result.

3. Cover Letter (Optional): Tell us why you are passionate about the Assassin’s Creed universe and what unique perspective you bring to the character art team.