Hard Surface Modeler Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

General Information
Locations: Vancouver - Great Northern Way, British Columbia, Canada

• Location: Los Angeles - Chatsworth
• State: California
• Country: United States of America

Role ID
214767
Worker Type
Regular Employee
Studio/Department
EA Studios - Respawn
Work Model
Hybrid
Description & Requirements
Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story. Part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.
Hard Surface Concept Artist - Apex Legends (Concept Artist I)
We are seeking a Concept Artist I to join the Apex Legends team. In this role, you will help create compelling visual designs that define the hard surface cosmetics and visual identity of Apex Legends. You will apply strong artistic fundamentals, design sensibilities, and storytelling skills to bring ideas to life while supporting both gameplay needs and the evolving aesthetic of a live-service game.
You will work closely with the Hard Surface Concept Art Lead, Art Directors, and your immediate team to deliver high-quality concept work. Additionally, you will collaborate with external partners to help maintain Apex Legends' visual quality and style standards. The ideal candidate is a strong visual problem solver who thrives in a collaborative environment and is passionate about creating bold, iconic designs.
Key Responsibilities

• Concept Generation: Collaborate closely with the Art Lead and immediate team to create compelling concept art that supports gameplay, player fantasy, and the Apex Legends experience.
• Asset Design: Design high-quality hard surface cosmetics and assets that align with the game's established visual language and style.
• Artistic Execution: Apply a strong understanding of industrial design, weapon design, color theory, lighting, materials, and perspective in all concept work.
• Production Pipeline Support: Translate creative direction into clear, production-ready visual solutions that can be effectively executed by downstream teams.
• Visual Storytelling: Create illustrations and visual storytelling pieces that communicate narrative intent and support world-building through asset design.
• 3D Integration: Utilize 3D tools to support concept development, including block-ins, lighting, camera setup, and perspective assistance.
• Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Contribute to animation, FX, and cinematic ideation when needed, including basic storyboarding and motion exploration.
• Feedback & Iteration: Participate actively in team critiques and feedback sessions, iterating quickly to improve quality and alignment with project goals.
• External Development: Support external development efforts by reviewing outsourced work and providing actionable feedback to ensure consistency with project quality standards.
• Constraint Management: Design within gameplay, technical, and production constraints, ensuring concepts are achievable and production-friendly.
• Workflow Optimization: Stay informed on emerging tools, workflows, and production methodologies to help improve efficiency and creative iteration across the team.
• Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to team growth by sharing knowledge, workflows, and best practices with peers.

Required Qualifications

• Professional Experience: 3+ years of experience as a Concept Artist in games, entertainment, or a related industry.
• Portfolio: A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional artistic fundamentals, including design, color, composition, lighting, materials, and perspective.
• Technical Communication: Proven ability to create clear, production-ready concepts that effectively communicate design intent to downstream developers.
• Hard Surface Expertise: Strong understanding of hard surface design principles, including industrial and/or weapon design.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency with industry-standard digital painting software and familiarity with 3D tools commonly used in concept workflows.
• Cinematic Fundamentals: Understanding of visual storytelling, composition, cinematography, and player-facing readability.
• Collaboration Skills: Strong collaboration and communication skills within a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Adaptability: Ability to incorporate feedback quickly and iterate effectively in a fast-paced production setting.
• Continuous Learning: Openness to learning and adopting new tools, workflows, and emerging technologies that improve efficiency and creative development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting or mentoring junior artists.

Pay Transparency - North America
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g. education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).
PAY RANGES
* British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) *$92,900 - $129,200 CAD
* California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. San Francisco) *$104,400 - $157,400 USD
Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA.
In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.
For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and other incentive programs.
About Electronic Arts
We're proud to have an extensive portfolio of games and experiences, locations around the world, and opportunities across EA. We value adaptability, resilience, creativity, and curiosity. From leadership that brings out your potential, to creating space for learning and experimenting, we empower you to do great work and pursue opportunities for growth.
We adopt a holistic approach to our benefits programs, emphasizing physical, emotional, financial, career, and community wellness to support a balanced life. Our packages are tailored to meet local needs and may include healthcare coverage, mental well-being support, retirement savings, paid time off, family leaves, complimentary games, and more. We nurture environments where our teams can always bring their best to what they do.
Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.