Climax Studios is seeking an experienced, multi-talented, and visionary Lead 3D Artist to take the creative helm of our art team in Edinburgh. In this critical leadership role, you will be responsible for conceiving, defining, and driving the artistic execution of innovative visual experiences for upcoming AAA titles.
The ideal candidate is a blend of an elite visual craftsman and an empathetic manager. You must possess the artistic range to establish a diverse array of visual styles, a deep technical comfort layout with current-generation hardware capabilities, and a proven track record of managing production pathways. Operating fully onsite, you will serve as the primary artistic liaison between your team, studio directors, and external clients, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to an impeccable standard of visual excellence.
Role & Studio Overview : Lead 3D Artist
| Job Details | Specification |
| Job Title | Lead 3D Artist |
| Studio / Employer | Climax Studios (A Keywords Studio company) |
| Location | Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Working Pattern | Full-Time, 100% Onsite |
| Employment Framework | Permanent or Fixed-Term Contract options available |
| Minimum Experience | 6+ Years Console Development | 2 Shipped Titles | 1 Lead Credit |
| Core Function | Game Development — Create (Art Service Line) |
| Key Technical Focus | Current-Gen Pipeline Design, Client Presentation, Resource Allocation |
Company Overview: Crafting the Extraordinary with Climax Studios
Climax Studios stands as one of the leading creative lights of independent video game development, boasting an outstanding, decades-long lineage of top-tier published titles. Operating as part of the global Keywords Studios family, Climax provides an inspiring, highly collaborative, and cutting-edge environment for creators to push the envelope of interactive entertainment.
Based out of our premium Edinburgh studio—perfectly situated in the historic heart of the city with breath-taking views overlooking Edinburgh Castle—we balance a relaxed, friendly culture with a fierce ambition to deliver world-class AAA gaming experiences. At Climax, Climax Studios believe in supporting our people with robust healthcare, continuous training, and an active social fabric that makes coming to work rewarding every single day.
Key Responsibilities as 3D Artist
As a Lead 3D Artist, your responsibilities will span across creative direction, team management, pipeline engineering, and client-facing communication:
1. Creative Leadership & Art Direction
- Conceive, iterate, and enforce the high-fidelity visual pillars and aesthetic direction for ambitious AAA titles.
- Provide clear, constructive, and inspiring visual and verbal feedback to internal and external art teams to maintain stylistic alignment.
- Utilize a deep understanding of cutting-edge artistic techniques, tools, and hardware pipelines to implement robust practical workflows for the art department.
2. Resource Management & Production Pathways
- Take complete autonomy over managing art production budgets, project deadlines, and delivery milestones.
- Evaluate project briefs to architect, implement, and maintain solid art production pipelines spanning a 2–3 year development horizon.
- Exercise exceptional judgment and resource management when assigning artists of varying skill sets to specific project needs across the studio.
- Proactively identify production risks and craft elegant, creative solutions when troubleshooting technical or stylistic bottlenecks.
3. Team Mentorship & Client Relations
- Manage, mentor, and elevate the studio’s art team, fostering a highly collaborative, motivated, and timely production culture.
- Act as the authoritative, professional face of the art department during client pitches, milestone presentations, and regular stakeholders alignment meetings.
- Cultivate a friendly, transparent, and high-performance atmosphere centered around a shared passion for gaming.
Requirements & Qualifications for Lead 3D Artist
Climax Studios is looking for a seasoned industry veteran who thrives in a dynamic studio environment:
Core Experience
- Industry Tenure: At least 6+ years of professional experience in console game development.
- Shipped Titles: A minimum of 2 successfully shipped console titles, with at least 1 shipped credit acting definitively in a Lead Artist capacity.
- Pipeline Mastery: 2–3 years of direct experience developing, deploying, and refining stable art production pathways.
Technical & Artistic Skill Set
- Stylistic Versatility: Proven experience generating a highly diverse range of art styles; strong foundations in illustration, concept art, or look-development are a significant benefit.
- Current-Gen Expertise: Thorough technical understanding of current-generation console rendering capabilities, engine optimization, and modern DCC art tools.
- Communication Mastery: Elite interpersonal, verbal, and visual presentation skills, with the comfort level required to present ideas authoritatively to high-profile external clients.
- Leadership Traits: A self-motivated, outgoing, and gregarious team leader with meticulous attention to detail and an unyielding passion for player experiences.
Application Note
⚠️ Portfolio Requirement: Please ensure your application includes an updated CV, a tailored cover letter, and—most importantly—a active link to your digital portfolio or website. Applications cannot be properly assessed without verifiable visual examples of your art and leadership capabilities.
Benefits & Studio Perks
At Climax Studios, we are dedicated to providing a premium, comprehensive rewards structure that covers health, lifestyle, and career progression:
- Financial & Security: Group Life Insurance, Group Income Protection, and an excellent Company Pension Scheme.
- Health & Well-being: Comprehensive Group Private Medical Insurance provided by BUPA, Private Dental Insurance, and access to a dedicated Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Work-Life Balance: An exceptional annual holiday package set within a focused, ambitious, yet relaxed and collaborative studio environment.
- Professional Growth: Ongoing structured training, development budgets, and clear pathways for long-term career progression.
- Commuter Options: Access to the regional Cycle to Work Scheme and Eye-Care Vouchers.
- Active Studio Culture: Regular social events, project wrap parties, annual Summer and Christmas galas, and charity fundraising milestones.
- In-House Clubs: Vibrant employee-led groups ranging from board games, tennis, and football clubs to regular studio D&D nights.
Diversity & Data Protection
Equal Opportunities Policy
Keywords Studios and Climax Studios are deeply dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. Climax Studios continuously endeavor to maintain a workplace that provides fair and equal opportunities for all existing employees and potential applicants, completely free of bias.
Personal Data Protection
Keywords Studios is strongly committed to protecting your personal information. By submitting your CV/Resume to this portal, you explicitly agree to our terms and conditions and consent to your data being securely managed, processed, and retained in strict accordance with our global data privacy and retention policies.
Lead 3D Artist at Climax Studios, Scotland
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