Who We Are
At 2K, we create some of the most iconic and culture-shaping video games in entertainment, including NBA® 2K, one of the top-selling franchises in the world, and legendary titles like BioShock®, Borderlands®, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization®, and XCOM®, as well as fan favorites WWE® 2K, TopSpin®, and PGA TOUR® 2K. We build unforgettable experiences by pushing the boundaries of creativity, authenticity and innovation across every genre.
Our portfolio is brought to life by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union, Cloud Chamber, Gearbox, HB Studios, and 2K SportsLab create world-class experiences across platforms.
But what truly powers 2K is our people.
We believe the best ideas come from teams that feel empowered, supported, and inspired. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace where people are encouraged to come as they are and do their best work.
What We Need
As Lead Character Artist, you'll drive the craft of exceptional characters across our diverse 2K titles and styles. You’re here to push our visual bar, mentor the team, and make sure our artists thrive while creating world-class characters. The ideal candidate brings a people-first approach. They love building teams and adapt easily to challenges in a constantly evolving industry. This role will be key in shaping the next generation of game development at 2K Shared Development Studios. What You’ll Do Drive our Character Artists across multiple 2K projects and styles to bring stunning characters to life, holding a high quality bar with a strong game-first approach.
What You’ll Do
- Build and grow our Character Artists through career development, performance reviews, and hiring, always setting the right conditions for our artists to succeed.
- Work closely with Production and Directors to align on schedules and project priorities, structuring the work so our teams own their craft.
- Partner with Tech Art, Animation, Concept Art and other teams to address challenges, making sure everything remains technically sound without compromising the vision.
- Drive the adoption of new Character Art technologies, pipelines, and workflows by challenging what isn't working.
- Partner with fellow Character Art Leads to unify the broader art team, bringing internal and external together as one cohesive team.
- Stay hands-on when needed, stepping into the craft to uphold our highest quality bar.
What Will Make You A Great Fit
- Proven Experience leading Character Art teams through full development cycles with shipped games in their portfolio.
- Enjoys growing and mentoring others, helping artists level up and take full ownership of their craft. Brings a deep game-dev experience, from early concept stages through shipping.
- Clear and effective communicator, able to navigate challenges with different teams.
- A natural problem solver, questions what is not working. If something can be improved, steps in, refines it, and looks for the next opportunity to make it better.
- Sees the bigger picture within a production. Has senior level craft, a great sense of how Character Art impacts gameplay, task prioritization and proven Engine knowledge.
- Brings a builder's vision to help us shape our team's future.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform their essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.
#LI-Hybrid
Skills Required
- Proven experience leading Character Art teams
- Experience with shipped games in portfolio
- Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills
- Deep game development experience from concept to shipping
- Senior level craft and engine knowledge
2K Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan are part of the standard package as presented on the careers site. Employer-verified listings also confirm these retirement programs.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid parental leave, generous compassionate leave, and a companywide end‑of‑year break are highlighted alongside paid holidays and PTO. These offerings indicate broad coverage for time away from work.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Fitness reimbursements, on‑site/virtual classes, stocked kitchens, free or subsidized meals, commuter benefits, and dog‑friendly offices are widely cited, with some studios calling out mental‑wellness support like Headspace. These perks extend support beyond core insurance into day‑to‑day wellbeing.
2K Insights
What We Do
2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, 31st Union, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment. Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, 2K PGA, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Quarry, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, WWE 2K, and XCOM. At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We encourage ALL applicants to explore our global positions, even if they don’t meet every requirement for the role. If you're interested in the job and think you have what it takes to work at 2K, we encourage you to apply!
Why Work With Us
We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We push ourselves creatively to do the best work of our careers. We’re direct, open, and you’ll probably meet some new best friends – along with their dogs – sitting nearby. In short, it’s kinda awesome.
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2K Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We are a blend of onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. Please refer to individual job descriptions for more details on location.
