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3D Game Modeler Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Harnham

AI Research Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time Brief Overview Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch. What You'll Own You'll ...

Harnham

AI Research Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time Brief Overview Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch. What You'll Own You'll ...

Harnham

AI Research Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time Brief Overview Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch. What You'll Own You'll ...

Harnham

AI Research Engineer

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time Brief Overview Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch. What You'll Own You'll ...

Harnham

AI Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time Brief Overview Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch. What You'll Own You'll ...

Harnham

AI Research Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time Brief Overview Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch. What You'll Own You'll ...

Harnham

AI Research Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time Brief Overview Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch. What You'll Own You'll ...

Harnham

AI Research Engineer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time Brief Overview Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch. What You'll Own You'll ...

Sonalysts, Inc.

3D Model Developer

Waterford, CT

$60K - $110K/yr

Game-based training systems. * User interface design & implementation. * Support the development of analytical and training solutions by developing combat simulation-oriented 3D models and user ...

Sonalysts, Inc.

3D Model Developer

Waterford, CT · On-site

$60K - $110K/yr

Game-based training systems. * User interface design & implementation. * Support the development of analytical and training solutions by developing combat simulation-oriented 3D models and user ...

Sonalysts, Inc.

3D Model Developer

Waterford, CT

$60K - $110K/yr

Game-based training systems. * User interface design & implementation. * Support the development of analytical and training solutions by developing combat simulation-oriented 3D models and user ...

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3D Game Modeler information

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$78.5K

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How much do 3d game modeler jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d game modeler in the United States is $78,472.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $98,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do game 3D modelers make?

Game 3D modelers typically earn between $50,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Entry-level modelers may start lower, while experienced professionals working on AAA titles or with specialized skills can earn higher salaries. Proficiency in tools like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max can also influence earning potential.

What is a 3D Game Modeler?

A 3D Game Modeler is a digital artist who creates three-dimensional models for video games, including characters, environments, props, and other visual elements. They use specialized software such as Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max to design, sculpt, and texture models that are optimized for real-time rendering in game engines. 3D Game Modelers work closely with other team members, such as animators and game designers, to ensure models meet artistic and technical requirements. Their work is essential in bringing the visual aspects of a game to life.

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

To thrive as a 3D Game Modeler, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of 3D modeling principles, and experience with game art pipelines, often supported by a degree in fine arts, animation, or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and familiarity with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration skills help you deliver high-quality assets that fit the project's vision. These skills and qualities are essential for creating visually compelling, technically efficient models that enhance the gaming experience and meet production deadlines.

Is 3D modeling still in demand?

3D game modeling remains in demand as the gaming, entertainment, and virtual reality industries continue to grow, requiring skilled 3D modelers proficient in tools like Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max. The role often involves creating detailed assets for games, animations, and simulations, with employment opportunities available in both large studios and independent projects.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

For a 3D game modeler, earning $300,000 annually is uncommon and typically requires senior-level experience, working for major gaming or entertainment companies, or freelance work with high-profile clients. Such salaries are more typical in executive roles or specialized fields like software engineering or data science. Most 3D game modelers earn significantly less, with top-tier professionals reaching higher salaries through extensive experience and advanced skills in industry-standard tools like Maya or Blender.

What are some common challenges faced by 3D Game Modelers when working on large-scale gaming projects?

3D Game Modelers working on large-scale games often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistency in art style across a big team, optimizing models for performance without sacrificing visual quality, and meeting tight production deadlines. Collaboration with animators, texture artists, and game designers is essential to ensure that models integrate smoothly into the game engine and support gameplay requirements. Staying up to date with evolving industry tools and workflows is also crucial, as projects may require adapting to new technologies or pipelines.

Is 3D modeling a high paying job?

3D game modelers can earn competitive salaries, especially with experience, strong portfolios, and proficiency in tools like Blender or Maya. Salaries vary by industry, location, and skill level, but experienced professionals in the field often earn above average wages for creative and technical roles.
More about 3D Game Modeler jobs
What cities are hiring for 3D Game Modeler jobs? Cities with the most 3D Game Modeler job openings:
What states have the most 3D Game Modeler jobs? States with the most job openings for 3D Game Modeler jobs include:
What job categories do people searching 3D Game Modeler jobs look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Game Modeler jobs are:
3D Game Modeler jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Game Modeler job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Internship, 67% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $78,472 per year, or $37.7 per hour.
AI Research Engineer

AI Research Engineer

Harnham

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$165K - $353K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Research Engineer | San Francisco | Full-Time


Brief Overview

Applied AI lab building world models for 3D game environments. Early-stage, well-backed, 3 weeks from beta launch.


What You'll Own

You'll take large ownership of the core generation and simulation stack—the intelligence layer that turns ideas into playable 3D environments without any technical skill required.

Your focus: distributed multi-agent orchestration for coordinated world synthesis (terrain, assets, behaviors), data-efficient training pipelines, real-time inference optimization, and agentic codegen tools that enable studio-quality environment creation.

You'll architect systems that let creators go from concept to playable world in hours, not months. You'll define new benchmarks for retention, fun, and interactive intelligence using behavioral data across thousands of live environments. Your code ships to millions within weeks.


Your Profile

  • Strong software fundamentals. You move fluidly between production systems and research code. You've shipped at scale.
  • Multimodal & agentic systems. You've built or trained large models (diffusion, vision-language, RL agents). Hands-on with Claude, OpenAI, or custom implementations.
  • Distributed training & scale. You've worked large-scale vision/3D pipelines, data curation, or distributed training. You know where things break and how to fix them.
  • Preferred: Generative vision, world models, RL systems, robotics, game engines, or multi-agent coordination.


The Reality

  • Schedule: 996 for the first 4 months. Fast-moving team, tight deadlines.
  • Location: San Francisco, on-site. Relocation support + free housing, food, transportation provided.
  • Team: 12-person applied AI team. Flat structure, direct access to founders.
  • Impact: Your work ships to millions of users within weeks.


Compensation

  • Base: $200K–$350K (flexible for exceptional candidates)
  • Equity: $165.75K–$353.25K + benefits
  • All-in TC: Up to $1M+ for top talent, heavily weighted to equity
  • Other: Visa sponsorship, relocation support, free housing/food/transportation


Why This Matters

You're not training another large model or optimizing a search ranking. You're building the systems that let millions of people create, play, and monetize worlds together. Your work ships in weeks, not quarters.


How It Works

  1. Vibe check (20 min with founder) — Mission fit, communication, intensity readiness
  2. Technical deep dive (90 min with tech lead) — Systems design, research depth, shipping experience
  3. Internal panel (60–90 min with team leads) — Collaboration, vision, ambiguity tolerance
  4. Trial task (1–2 days) — Real problem from the stack; shows your thinking + culture fit
  5. Offer — If aligned, fast move

Total timeline: 10–15 days from first call to offer.

Apply