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3D Artist Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

... artists, and designers to drive fun, high-quality live content from concept through delivery. We ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

Senior Level Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... A strong eye for layout, lighting, and visual clarity in 3D environments. * Comfortable ...

Senior Level Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$99K - $106K/yr

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... A strong eye for layout, lighting, and visual clarity in 3D environments. * Comfortable ...

Senior AI Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$96K - $132K/yr

... and artists, working with cutting-edge technologies and talented teams to build impactful ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

Senior Level Designer

Raleigh, NC

$99K - $106K/yr

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... A strong eye for layout, lighting, and visual clarity in 3D environments. * Comfortable ...

AI Programmer

Cary, NC · On-site

$119K - $132K/yr

... artists. You will play a critical role in driving future gameplay AI features in Fortnite. In this ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

... artists. You will have opportunities to work on various initiatives, get hands-on with cutting-edge ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

... within artistic environments. In this role, you will * Lead by example: play testing the game ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

Lead UI Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$96K - $128K/yr

... programmers, designers, and artists to deliver cutting-edge features that enhance player ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

... UI Artists, and UI Engineers to implement UI systems and features. Much of our work starts ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

Experience in Cinema 4D or other 3D software is a plus. * Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on customer service. * Must have a solid working knowledge of Microsoft ...

Showing results 21-39

3D Artist information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$19

$38

$66

How much do 3d artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d artist in Raleigh, NC is $38.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.39 and $47.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a 3D Artist a good career?

A 3D Artist is a viable career option in industries such as gaming, film, and animation, where skills in modeling, texturing, and software like Maya or Blender are essential. The profession offers opportunities for creative expression and can provide steady employment, though it often requires continuous learning and portfolio development to stay competitive.

How much does a 3D artist make?

The average salary for a 3D artist varies by experience and location but typically ranges from $45,000 to $85,000 annually. Entry-level artists may earn less, while experienced professionals with specialized skills in software like Maya or Blender can earn higher salaries, especially in industries such as gaming, film, or advertising.

What is a 3D artist?

A 3D artist or animator is a specialized graphic designer who is well versed in the latest computer technology and design software. As a 3D artist, your responsibilities and duties include designing and creating 3D animations for various industries including mobile applications, medicine, science, video gaming, and marketing. You use your artistic gifts and creativity along with your technical expertise to meet the needs of your clients. Having an arts background in photography or drawing as well as exceptional computer skills can be very helpful in this career.

Are 3D artists well paid?

3D artists can earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while experienced artists working in fields like gaming, film, or advertising can command higher wages, especially with proficiency in tools like Maya or Blender. Overall, the profession offers the potential for good pay, particularly with specialized skills and a strong portfolio.

What jobs can a 3D artist do?

A 3D artist can work in various fields such as video game development, film and animation, product design, architecture, and virtual reality. They create 3D models, textures, and animations using software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, often collaborating with other creative and technical teams.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3D artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Artist, you need strong artistic ability, proficiency in 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering, often supported by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and Adobe Creative Suite is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help 3D Artists collaborate effectively and bring visual concepts to life. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing high-quality assets that meet project requirements in entertainment, gaming, or visualization industries.

How do 3D artists typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

3D Artists work closely with teams like concept artists, animators, game designers, and technical directors to bring visual elements to life. Collaboration is essential, as 3D Artists often receive initial sketches or storyboards from concept teams, then coordinate with animators to ensure models are rigged and ready for movement. Regular feedback loops with art directors and project managers help maintain consistency with the project’s overall vision. Clear communication and adaptability are key, as requirements may change based on technical constraints or creative direction.
What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Artist jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of 3D Artist jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to 3D Artist jobs in Raleigh, NC? For 3D Artist jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for 3D Artist jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most 3D Artist job openings:
Infographic showing various 3D Artist job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 78% In-person, and 22% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $79,779 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

Character Animation Lead

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
ART
What We Do
Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character, and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special Projects team to help drive the vision and execution of character animation across experimental and gameplay-driven prototypes. You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build responsive, expressive, and scalable animation systems. You will act as a bridge between animation and engineering - helping to define workflows, shape systems, and solve complex problems at the intersection of gameplay and motion. This role requires both hands-on creation and leadership: setting quality bars, guiding others, and helping a small team move quickly without sacrificing clarity or craft.
In this role, you will
  • Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation in Unreal Engine
  • Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation
  • Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation systems. Excite those around you with creative and clear thinking
  • Own animation quality and leadership across projects, ensuring a strong and consistent point of view
  • Translate gameplay needs into animation behaviours that feel intuitive and responsive
  • Debug and solve complex animation and integration issues in the engine
  • Contribute to and help evolve animation pipelines, tools, and workflows for rapid iteration
  • Mentor and support other animators, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and craft excellence
What we're looking for
  • Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with the ability to deliver both realistic and stylized motion
  • Deep experience working in Unreal Engine, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blending, and runtime systems
  • Strong understanding of gameplay animation-how input, timing, and responsiveness shape player experience
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical designers on complex, system-driven features
  • Experience building or contributing to animation systems (not just assets), including debugging and iteration in-engine
  • Animating in engine using Unreal Engine animation tools
  • Comfort working in ambiguous, exploratory environments with rapid iteration cycles
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance creative goals with technical constraints
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills
  • Experienced AAA development or equivalent real-time production environments

Bonus Points
  • Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, or emerging animation technologies
  • Familiarity with Control Rig and runtime rigging workflows in Unreal Engine
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.