Experienced 3D Artist

Cast Iron Games; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A game development studio in Wakefield is looking for an Experienced 3D Artist. In this role, you will create high-quality, game-ready 3D assets from concept through to final implementation. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in the game industry, skills in industry-standard tools like Maya and Blender, and a strong understanding of asset optimisation techniques. The studio values collaboration and offers a supportive environment without crunch.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible hours

Professional development support

25 days annual leave

Employee referral bonus

Qualifications

• Experience working across a full asset pipeline for real-time games.
• Comfortable working in a generalist capacity across multiple asset types.
• Experience working with or alongside external teams is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create high-quality 3D assets in line with project style.
• Produce game-ready assets from concept to final implementation.
• Optimise assets for performance including polygon budgets.
• Collaborate with Lead Artists to ensure visual and technical standards.

Skills

Proven professional experience as a 3D Artist on shipped game titles

Knowledge of industry-standard tools such as Maya/Blender/Max

Solid understanding of PBR workflows

Excellent UV unwrapping and optimisation skills

Good understanding of asset optimisation techniques

Tools

Maya

Blender

Photoshop

Substance Painter

ZBrush

Job description

Who We Are

At Cast Iron Games, we build technically ambitious games in a calm, focused environment, where every team member has a voice. Based in Tileyard North, we collaborate with high quality partners on high‑quality projects, guided by clarity, consistency, and mutual respect.

We’re a young and growing studio, but our team is made up of experienced developers who’ve worked across AAA and independent titles. Together, we’re building a supportive, balanced environment where great work happens without crunch.

The Role

As an Experienced 3D Artist at Cast Iron Games, you’ll play a key hands‑on role in creating high‑quality, game‑ready 3D assets from concept through to final in‑engine implementation. This is a generalist role with a particular focus on asset optimisation, technical quality, and performance awareness.

You’ll work closely with Lead Artists, programmers, and other disciplines to ensure assets meet both artistic and technical requirements. This role suits an artist who is confident in their craft, comfortable owning their work, and enjoys solving practical, performance‑driven challenges.

Responsibilities

• Create high‑quality 3D assets in line with project style, technical constraints, and performance targets

• Produce game‑ready assets from concept and reference through to final in‑engine implementation

• Optimise assets for performance, including polygon budgets, UV efficiency, texture usage, and LODs

• Work within established art pipelines, tools, and workflows

• Collaborate closely with Lead Artists to ensure assets meet visual and technical standards

• Communicate clearly with other disciplines to resolve technical or artistic challenges

• Deliver work independently while contributing effectively within a wider team and 3rd‑party production environment

• Apply best practices for PBR materials, lighting considerations, and rendering for real‑time engines

• Iterate on assets based on feedback and critique in a professional and constructive manner

• Proactively identify potential issues and raise them early with appropriate team member

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• Proven professional experience as a 3D Artist on shipped game titles

• Experience working across a full asset pipeline for real‑time games

• Comfortable working in a generalist capacity across multiple asset types

• Experience working with or alongside external/3rd‑party teams is a plus

Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of industry‑standard tools such as Maya/Blender/Max, Photoshop, Substance Painter/Designer, ZBrush, and Marmoset Toolbag

• Solid understanding of PBR workflows, materials, and real‑time rendering

• Excellent UV unwrapping and optimisation skills

• Awareness of performance considerations and technical constraints in games

• Good understanding of asset optimisation techniques, including geometry, textures, and memory budgets

• Demonstrates strong foundational art skills, including composition, form, silhouette, proportion, and colour theory

• Able to work from detailed concept art, references, or written briefs

• Organised, reliable, and able to manage time effectively across tasks

Ways of Working

• Comfortable working within an Agile development environment

• Open to feedback and able to apply critique constructively

• Proactive, solutions‑focused, and able to work independently when required

• Collaborative and communicative, with a team‑first mindset

Why Cast Iron Games

• A people‑first studio with a clear focus on craft, clarity, and collaboration

• A high‑trust team where experience is valued and voices are heard

• A respectful, experienced team with a strong engineering culture

• The opportunity to ship performance‑optimised, cross‑platform games youʼre proud of

• Projects that offer real variety. Different game engines, new challenges, constant growth

• Creative surroundings at Tileyard North, with a supportive creative community

• Competitive salary, flexible hours and professional development support

• Opportunities to lead with clarity, autonomy, and real impact

• No crunch. No egos. Just good code, good people and good games

What to Expect / Key Benefits

• Start your day any time between 8:00am and 10:00am

• 35 working hours per week with a 1‑hour lunch break (with the opportunity to flex down to 30 minutes or up to 2 hours)

• 25 days annual leave + 8 days bank holiday

• 1 day leave for your birthday and 1 day leave if youʼre moving house

• Length of service increases are 1 day per year of service up to a maximum of 8 additional days

• Up to 8 days discretionary annual leave during our end‑of‑year break

• Potential for annual performance bonus

• Free breakfast options, juice, hot drinks and fruit

• Employee referral bonus (up to £2000!)

• Group Life Assurance – 4 x annual salary payable to nominated beneficiaries through an expression of wishes form.

• Income Protection – covers you up for up to 50% of monthly salary for 2 years (after a 26‑week deferred period, i.e. when SSP runs out)

• Critical Illness Cover – lump sum of 1 x annual salary on diagnosis of a critical illness

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• EV & Hybrid Car Scheme

• Tech Purchase Scheme – split the cost of Tech or Home electronics through salary deduction, interest‑free

• Healthcare Cash plan – claim back the cost of everyday healthcare, dental, physio, chiropractor, opticians, podiatry etc

• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality

• Reward Gateway with cashback and discounts on 900+ retailers

• Employee Assistance Programme including Virtual GP service

• Wellbeing Centre based on Mind, Move, Munch and Money