Lead 3D Artist
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£33,400
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2142 (85% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £33,400, and Cast Iron Games Limited is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 1121 (Production managers and directors in manufacturing, If managing people/budgets is the main duty) or SOC 1255 (Managers and directors in the creative industries, If directing creative resources is primary). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
About the role
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 a Lead 3D Artist at Cast Iron Games, you’ll be responsible for setting the visual quality bar across 3D art, guiding asset creation from concept through to final in-game implementation. You’ll lead by example - creating high-quality assets while supporting, mentoring, and coordinating the wider art team to ensure consistent, polished results.
This is a hands-on leadership role that blends artistic excellence with clear communication and planning. You’ll work closely with other disciplines to balance visual ambition with technical constraints, ensuring assets are both beautiful and performant across platforms.
Responsibilities
Work directly with studio leadership in coordinating art resources, schedules and priorities based on project needs
Provide direction to artists for aesthetic and technical considerations
Understand and work around existing art pipelines
Be hands on with producing benchmark assets to style and brief of project
Help lead the production and creation of art assets for the projects
Communicate and deliver assets cooperatively and independently within a 3rd Party production environment
Has expertise with PBR, lighting, rendering, and material authoring
Collaborate with Production to prioritize work, identify issues, and escalate them to production, ensuring tasks have sufficient information
Review work to meet the technical requirements and following best practices for the highest quality
Be proactive in finding answers and able to clearly communicate issues and direction to the team
Capable of owning development of, and delivering, content while leading by example
Ensure the team maintains high-quality artistic results and milestone delivery, while encouraging effective communication and professionalism
Receive and provide critique in a professional manner
Able to manage and mentor career development of 3D Artists at various skill levels
What We’re Looking For
Experience
Proven game cycle experience as a Senior or Lead Artist
Shipped at least one title as a Senior or Lead Artist
Experience in working with 3rd Party project
Advanced understanding of 3D packages, Photoshop, Substance Designer/Painter, Zbrush and Marmoset Toolbag
Excellent knowledge with unwrapping, modifying, and creating UVs
Passion for highly detailed 3D assets and texturing for game ready assets
Demonstrates excellent foundational skills, including composition, design, structure, silhouette and colour theory
Excellent understanding of the hard-surface art pipeline, dependencies and overall scope of the project
Demonstrates an ability to work with detailed concept art or reference art materials
Excellent leadership and mentoring abilities, as well as interpersonal skills
Organised and practices good time management skills
Finds creative solutions for technically challenging tasks
Experienced in managing direct reports
Experienced working in an Agile workflow
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 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
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Cast Iron Games Limited, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 2142 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~44k in sampleSimilar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Cast Iron Games LimitedAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Cast Iron Games Limited holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2142 going rate of £33,400. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.