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Expert Character Concept Artist

2K


Job Location:

San Mateo, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 127500 - 188700
Posted: 20 September 2026 (8 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 18 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

WE ARE GAME MAKERS

Who We Are:

At 31st Union we are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.

For more information visit our website at:

What We Need:

As an Expert Character Concept Artist you will be a key contributor to the development and evolution of our projects character direction. You are an exceptional character designer and visual problem solver who can translate broad creative goals into compelling production-ready designs.

Working closely with the creative team you will take on complex high-impact character-development challenges and turn ambiguous creative problems into clear visual solutions. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy while remaining aligned with the projects creative direction.

Through the quality of your work and collaboration you will help raise the visual bar and reinforce the projects character language. As a senior craft expert you will provide feedback mentorship and examples that enable stronger work.

What Youll Do:

  • Conceptualize and develop high-quality character designs from early exploration through production-ready assets (thumbnails sketches turnarounds and supporting documentation).
  • You break down problems and bring solutions by translating complex ambiguous briefs into clear visual solutions that align with narrative gameplay and project-wide art direction.
  • Define and uphold visual standards contributing to style guides and reference materials to ensure consistent design quality.
  • Partner with art and cross-discipline teams to balance visual goals with technical requirements and ensure concepts are effective for translation into 3D.
  • Mentor other artists through thoughtful critique and example-setting while actively identifying opportunities to improve workflows and processes.
  • Self-manage complex assignments and priorities maintaining alignment with leadership while proactively identifying dependencies and risks.

Whatll Make You A Great Fit:

  • Typically 8 years of professional concept art experience with experience contributing to multiple shipped titles.
  • An exceptional online portfolio demonstrating expert-level character design across exploratory development work and refined production-ready concepts that should include development sketches and explorations alongside refined character designs.
  • Expert knowledge of character development and costume design with the ability to communicate personality function and story through visual design.
  • Mastery of anatomy proportion gesture silhouette composition perspective lighting color materials and visual storytelling.
  • Demonstrated ability to solve complex visual design problems and produce thoughtful solutions.
  • Ability to work within an established visual direction identifying opportunities to strengthen the design and ability to stretch stylistically.
  • Strong understanding of how concept art translates into 3D production and how to communicate design intent to downstream artists.
  • Expert proficiency with industry-standard 2D concept-art tools and working knowledge of 3D-assisted workflows using Blender ZBrush Maya AI Assisted workflows or equivalent.
  • Proven ability to work independently make sound craft decisions manage complex assignments collaborate effectively across disciplines communicate clearly and mentor other artists.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $127500 and $188700 per year. However base pay offered is based on market location and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates such as job-related knowledge skills experience and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.

Regular full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company including: medical dental vision and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Companys discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.

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About Company

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2K publishes titles in today's most popular gaming genres, including shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, sports, casual, and family entertainment.

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