Location: Cambridge/Cambourne, UK (Hybrid)

Company: Cambridge XR – Where Immersion Meets Intelligence

Contract Type: Temporary/Part Time (3 - 5 months) with the possibility to extend beyond.

Salary: £30 - 35K PA depending on experience.

Please Read Before Applying - Any applications that do not meet all of the following 6 criteria will NOT be considered:

1. We currently cannot offer visa sponsorship for international candidates and would only consider candidates with UK work authorisation for the current role.
2. The current role is a Hybrid work one and requires at least 3 days on site in Cambourne, Cambridgeshire.
3. Applicants must have a portfolio showcasing skills in 3D character design and animation.
4. Applicants must have experience of the Unity Engine and character animation in Maya, 3D Studio Max Blender, or similar software.
5. This job is for a mid-career 3D artist. Applicants with too little or too much experience will not be a good fit.
6. Please apply by emailing [email protected] with your CV, cover letter and portfolio (a PDF). Do NOT apply through LinkedIn.

JOB DESCRIPTION

At Cambridge XR, we blend creativity, technology, and research to push the boundaries of how people learn, play, and interact in virtual worlds. Based in the heart of Cambridge’s innovation ecosystem, we’re a close-knit, multidisciplinary team of developers, artists, and researchers creating next-generation experiences that combine XR and AI. We value curiosity, experimentation, and the playful spirit that drives innovation.

Join us on a project to transform museum experiences with intelligent and engaging immersive digital content. If you’re a talented 3D/Technical Artist or Animator with a passion for bringing characters to life in Augmented Reality—someone who loves solving creative challenges and thrives in a small, dynamic team where your ideas truly shape the final product.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Game Art, Computer Animation, 3D Modelling, Computer Graphics, or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a 3D Character Artist/Animator, ideally in games, AR, or VR.
• Strong portfolio of animated 3D characters, preferably in a game (mobile, console or PC).

Technical Skills

• Expertise in developing and optimizing 3D characters for Unity across multiple platforms (mobile, AR, VR).
• Proficiency with Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, or ZBrush.
• Strong understanding of character rigging, skeletons, IK systems, blendshapes, and skin weighting.
• Experience implementing real-time character animations, procedural animation or facial rigging, using both keyframe and motion capture data.
• Deep knowledge of Unity’s animation systems (Mecanim, Animator Controller, Timeline).
• Solid grasp of materials, shaders, lighting, and performance optimization for real-time 3D.

Collaboration and Workflow

• Experience collaborating with artists, designers, and engineers to ensure technical feasibility and creative quality.

Personal Attributes

• Strong artistic sensibility and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Enthusiasm for immersive storytelling, character-driven design, and emerging technologies.
• Self-starter attitude and willingness to grow with a small, high-impact team.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Shader Graph or VFX experience in Unity.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or other real-time engines.
• Background in motion capture pipelines or animation retargeting.
• Experience working on commercial or published titles.

BENEFITS

• High-specification gaming laptop (PC).
• Gym membership.
• BUPA health check.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

• 1-hour interview with company CEO and portfolio showcase.