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3D Character Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

teamLFG

OR

Do you have a passion for how 3D character art enhances gameplay clarity, supporting players in making split-second decisions, and how character design can ignite both fandom and strategic depth?

teamLFG

3D Character Art Lead

$153K - $230K/yr

Do you have a passion for how 3D character art enhances gameplay clarity, supporting players in making split-second decisions, and how character design can ignite both fandom and strategic depth?

Scattermesh

3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

Job Summary Scattermesh is expanding its team and we are looking to hire experienced 3D Character ... design. The ideal candidate will have experience creating photorealistic human characters of ...

Scattermesh

3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

Job Summary Scattermesh is expanding its team and we are looking to hire experienced 3D Character ... design. The ideal candidate will have experience creating photorealistic human characters of ...

Scattermesh

Senior 3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

Job Summary Scattermesh is expanding its team and we are looking to hire experienced 3D Character ... design. The ideal candidate will have experience creating photorealistic human characters of ...

Scattermesh

Senior 3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124K - $130K/yr

Job Summary Scattermesh is expanding its team and we are looking to hire experienced 3D Character ... design. The ideal candidate will have experience creating photorealistic human characters of ...

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

As a 3D Character Artist , you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring ... Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design ...

Thatgamecompany

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior)

$81K - $114K/yr

Brainstorm ideas and create rapid 3D prototypes during the concept and design phase * Support the rest of the 3D team to create character assets * Review and fix bugs of all complexities * Contribute ...

Purple Drive

3D Artist

Auburn Hills, MI

... Character Design • Composition Roles & Responsibilities • Design 3D modeling , lighting, texturing and rendering as per communicated design • Understanding the project requirements and ...

Purple Drive Technologies

3D Artist

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

... Character Design • Composition Roles & Responsibilities • Design 3D modeling , lighting, texturing and rendering as per communicated design • Understanding the project requirements and ...

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3D Character Design information

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$10

$19

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How much do 3d character design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d character design in the United States is $19.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is 3D character design?

3D character design is the process of creating three-dimensional digital models of characters for use in video games, animation, films, virtual reality, and other media. Artists use specialized software to sculpt, texture, and rig characters, bringing them to life with details and personality. The role often involves collaborating with other creative professionals to ensure characters fit the visual style and functionality required by a project.

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

To thrive as a 3D Character Designer, you need strong artistic skills, knowledge of human and creature anatomy, and proficiency with 3D modeling and sculpting, often supported by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Blender, and familiarity with texturing tools like Substance Painter is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication help designers collaborate with teams and bring unique characters to life. These skills ensure that characters are visually compelling, technically sound, and fit project requirements for games, films, or other media.

How does a 3D Character Designer typically collaborate with other team members during a game or film project?

3D Character Designers frequently work closely with concept artists, animators, riggers, and game developers to ensure characters not only look visually appealing but also function well within the intended environment. Regular meetings and feedback sessions are common, where designers make adjustments based on input from art directors and technical leads. Collaborative platforms and project management tools are used to share assets and track progress, ensuring seamless integration of character models into the larger project. Strong communication skills and a willingness to adapt designs based on team needs are essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between 3D Character Design vs 3D Modeler?

Aspect3D Character Design3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating character concepts, sketches, and detailed designsBuilding 3D models based on designs or specifications
Skills RequiredConcept art, anatomy, creativity, software like Photoshop and ZBrushModeling, topology, texturing, software like Maya, Blender
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, gaming, animation, filmAnimation studios, game development, VFX companies
Common UsageDesign phase, character developmentModel creation, rigging, optimization

While 3D Character Design focuses on conceptualizing and designing characters, 3D Modeler specializes in creating the actual 3D models based on those designs. Both roles often collaborate closely in the character development process within gaming, animation, and film industries.

More about 3D Character Design jobs
What cities are hiring for 3D Character Design jobs? Cities with the most 3D Character Design job openings:
What states have the most 3D Character Design jobs? States with the most job openings for 3D Character Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching 3D Character Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Character Design jobs are:
3D Character Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Design job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,680 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

3D Character Art Lead

teamLFG

OR

Other

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Are you driven to create games that engage players in a vibrant community? Would you like to contribute to a visually stunning world where art not only captivates but reinforces the mission of the game? Do you have a passion for how 3D character art enhances gameplay clarity, supporting players in making split-second decisions, and how character design can ignite both fandom and strategic depth? Join us at teamLFG!

As the 3D Character Art Lead at teamLFG, you will guide and help create art with the team from pre-production to production and beyond on our innovative new IP!

Your leadership will shape memorable characters that uphold gameplay fairness and clarity. You'll mentor your team with your extensive experience and keen eye for detail, ensuring every art decision enhances the gameplay space. Your efforts will exhilarate players and elevate the setting and tone for a new standard in PlayStation games.

As a leader for the character art team, you'll demonstrate a balance of artistic expertise with a player-first mindset, stretching beyond your role as you collaborate with a passionate, cross-discipline team dedicated to having a positive impact on players as we bring this new world to life.

We seek candidates who appreciate being part of a cohesive and supportive team with a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, interests, and perspectives.

Responsibilities:

Lead 3D character art and coordinate work with a multidisciplinary team accountable for character-building, including but not limited to narrative and design

Mentor and inspire a talented team of artists through all phases of production

Foster a safe culture for growth, feedback and coaching to encourage strong creative debate

Create strong processes and scalable art workflows that force multiply the team's efforts and define a high art quality bar, internally and externally with partner studios

Inspire and motivate the team with craft and process advisement

Embrace "we" culture in addition to being an outstanding collaborator and communicator

Develop internal and external style guides and workflows, and manage teams through creation of game assets

Be accountable to the art director visual goals and directions

Required Skills:

Deep understanding of the character art decisions that matter to competitive players in action or fighting games

Proven experience in early AAA game development leadership role(s)

Experience in leading art teams that include but not limited to 3D character art, character customization, NPC

Demonstrated skills and deep understanding of stylized art and style adaptability

Expert knowledge in Maya, Blender or Max, Substance

Expert knowledge in Unreal Engine

Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving capability with high attention to detail

Strategic and critical thinking skills with a proactive, investigative mindset

Help created or established character customization in Unreal and scaled content with outsourcing companies

Nice-to-have Skills:

Platformer genre development experience

Experience working on a game with a high angle isometric camera perspective

Experience leading multiple teams on a live game ("game as a service")

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