Character Concept Artist

Job Title: Concept Artist – Realistic Characters & Weapons (AAA Tactical Shooter)

About Us:
At Amber, we're always on the hunt for the most talented individuals in the industry to join our team. We're dedicated to delivering top-notch service to our customers and know that our employees are key to making that happen. We offer attractive compensation packages and plenty of chances to grow with us, and we're always on the lookout for ways to do things better. Our team works together towards common goals and we value each member's contributions to our mission of continuous improvement and innovation. 

Role Overview:
As Concept Artist, you will be responsible for crafting high-impact concept art for realistic characters, weapon systems, tactical gear and props to support the production pipeline. In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with the Art Directors, designers and 3D production teams to refine and realize the content for this product.

The Quest:

• Create fast-exploration thumbnails, wireframes and refined final concept art in 2D for characters (operators, soldiers, special units), tactical equipment, weapons (primary/secondary, attachments, customizations) and gear (armor, accessories, tactical tools).
• Use both traditional drawing and digital painting techniques to develop concepts that are realistic, technically sound and visually compelling.
• Interpret creative briefs (character role, faction, mission context, gear load-out, threat type) swiftly and accurately.
• Present and pitch design ideas clearly to the Art Director and broader team; explain design rationale (functionality, reference, hero features) convincingly.
• Incorporate feedback from leads and clients, adapt your work as required and maintain strong communication during iterations.
• Research real-world special forces, SWAT gear, bomb-disposal systems, weapons ergonomics, police/military uniforms and equipment for appropriate reference and credible design.
• Prepare specification sheets and breakout details (orthographics, key views, dimensions, materials, functionality) to guide the 3D art and prop teams.
• Be reliable with deadlines and deliver high-quality concept assets in a production environment.

The Skills:

• Demonstrable strength in 2D skills (Adobe Photoshop proficiency) with a portfolio showing realistic concept design of characters, hard-surface gear and weapons (including textures, materials, attachments).
• Good understanding of human anatomy and proportions and a strong eye for detail.
• Good understanding of weaponry and tactical gear.
• Strong sense of light, shadow, color, and material that supports hand-painted texture creation and realistic surfaces.
• Ability to design within a defined style, adapt to project constraints (style guide, gameplay needs) and maintain visual consistency.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills—able to work effectively with concept artists, art directors, production, design and other departments.

Nice-to-Have / Technical Plus:

• Familiarity with real-time/3D engine constraints (polygon budgets, texture size, LODs, shader limitations) and experience designing with those constraints in mind.
• Knowledge of additional software tools (e.g., ZBrush for concept sculpting, Maya for 3D layout, Substance Painter/Designer) considered a plus.
• Previous experience in the game industry (especially in AAA or mid-size titles) is a strong bonus.
• Ability to provide mentorship or leadership (guide junior concept artists, review work, contribute to art direction) is a plus.

The Reward:

• Competitive project-based compensation
• Opportunity to work on exciting and diverse projects
• Clear communication and support throughout the project duration.
• Flexibility in project timelines and deadlines.
• Potential for long-term collaboration on future projects.
• Transparent and fair evaluation of your work.

Required Application Materials:

• Portfolio or reel showcasing realistic character design, weapon/hard-surface concepts, texture/material studies and finished concept work relevant to tactical/military or shooter genres.
• A short cover letter (or email) summarizing your relevant experience (weapons, special operations, realistic characters) and why you are drawn to this role.