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3D Modeler Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

3D Animator

Pasadena, CA ยท On-site +1

Job Responsibilities: The 3D Animator will create high-fidelity, cinematic animations that ... Model, texture, shade, and light assets for high-quality scientific and technical visualization

Develop 3D models and construction documentation for MEP systems. * Ensure accuracy and completeness of designs, adhering to project specifications. * Participate in coordination meetings with ...

Develop 3D models and construction documentation for MEP systems. * Ensure accuracy and completeness of designs, adhering to project specifications. * Participate in coordination meetings with ...

NX CAD Modeler

Cupertino, CA ยท On-site

$52 - $67/hr

Create high-quality 3D models, assemblies, and 2D drawings of battery modules, packs, and enclosures using Siemens NX. * Perform tolerance stacking / analysis and well as enable variability studies ...

Showing results 21-40

3D Modeler information

See California salary details

$39K

$77.4K

$122.9K

How much do 3d modeler jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d modeler in California is $77,445.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,700.00 and $96,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are 3D modelers in demand?

3D modelers are in demand across industries such as gaming, film, architecture, and product design, with employment growth driven by increasing use of 3D visualization and animation. Skills in software like Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max enhance job prospects, and a strong portfolio is often required. The field offers opportunities for freelance and full-time work, with demand expected to grow as digital content creation expands.

Is a 3D Modeler job a good career?

A 3D Modeler job is a viable career in industries such as gaming, film, and animation, requiring skills in software like Maya or Blender. It offers opportunities for creative expression and growth, with demand increasing for skilled artists in digital media. Career prospects depend on experience, portfolio quality, and proficiency with industry-standard tools.

How much does a 3D Modeler get paid?

The average salary for a 3D Modeler varies depending on experience, location, and industry, typically ranging from $45,000 to $85,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with specialized skills in software like Maya or Blender can earn higher wages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3D modeler?

To thrive as a 3D Modeler, you need a strong grasp of modeling techniques, texturing, and digital sculpting, typically supported by a portfolio and relevant education in art or design. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and Adobe Creative Suite is essential, and certifications can be advantageous. Attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication set standout professionals apart in collaborative environments. These skills ensure the creation of visually compelling and technically accurate models that meet project requirements in industries like gaming, film, and design.

What is a 3D modeler?

3D Modelers are professionals who create three-dimensional digital representations of objects, characters, environments, or products using specialized software. Their work is widely used in industries such as video games, movies, animation, architecture, and product design. 3D Modelers use tools like Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max to sculpt, texture, and render models that can be animated or visualized for various purposes. Their skills combine artistic creativity with technical proficiency, ensuring that models are both visually appealing and accurately constructed. The role often involves collaborating with other artists, designers, and engineers to meet project goals.

What is the difference between 3D Modeler vs 3D Artist?

Aspect3D Modeler3D Artist
Primary FocusCreating 3D models and assetsCreating complete visual content, including models, textures, and scenes
Skills & ToolsModeling software (Maya, Blender, 3ds Max)Modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and compositing
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation, product designGames, movies, advertising, visual effects
CredentialsOften requires a portfolio, sometimes certifications in modeling softwareSimilar credentials, with broader skills in visual creation

While both roles involve 3D creation, a 3D Modeler specializes in building detailed models, whereas a 3D Artist has a broader scope, including texturing, lighting, and rendering to produce complete visual scenes.

What are some typical challenges 3D modelers face when working on collaborative projects?

3D Modelers often work closely with animators, texture artists, and game designers, which requires strong communication and adaptability. A common challenge is ensuring that models meet both artistic and technical requirements, such as polygon count or compatibility with various software. Additionally, revisions based on feedback can be frequent, so being open to critique and able to iterate quickly is essential. Effective version control and clear documentation also play a big role in successful collaboration.

What does a 3D modeler do?

As a 3D Modeler, your primary responsibilities are to design and build 3D models based on the specifications of your clients. If you work in a shop, you will collaborate with other 3D Modelers and artists to create 3D characters, environments, and other items depending on your clientele. If you are self-employed, then you will work jobs for clients on a case-by-case basis. You will perform most of your 3D modeling work on a computer using software sculpting and texturing programs like ZBrush, Mudbox, and Polypainting. You may also use 3D printing technology to produce prototypes for your clients.

What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Modeler jobs in California?

The most popular types of 3D Modeler jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching 3D Modeler jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for 3D Modeler jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for 3D Modeler jobs?

Cities in California with the most 3D Modeler job openings:

What are popular job titles related to 3D Modeler jobs in CA?

For 3D Modeler jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various 3D Modeler job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,445 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Research Engineer / Scientist (3D Tech Lead)

World Labs

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

About World Labs:

We build foundational world models that can perceive, generate, reason, and interact with the 3D world - unlocking AI's full potential through spatial intelligence by transforming seeing into doing, perceiving into reasoning, and imagining into creating.ย 

We believe spatial intelligence will unlock new forms of storytelling, creativity, design, simulation, and immersive experiences across both virtual and physical worlds.

We bring together a world-class team, united by a shared curiosity, passion, and deep backgrounds in technology - from AI research to systems engineering to product design - creating a tight feedback loop between our cutting-edge research and products that empower our users.

Role Overview

We're looking for a Tech Lead for 3D Modeling & Reconstruction to set technical direction and drive execution for our core 3D modeling efforts. This role is ideal for someone with a strong research science (RS) or research engineering (RE) background who has made meaningful contributions to the field of 3D reconstruction and/or modeling-through academic publications, widely used open-source projects, or production systems deployed at scale.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You'll combine deep technical expertise with the ability to guide a high-impact team, shaping both the research roadmap and the production systems that bring modern 3D modeling methods into real-world products. You'll work closely with research, engineering, and product partners to translate cutting-edge ideas into reliable, scalable capabilities.

What You Will Do:
  • Set the technical vision and roadmap for 3D modeling and reconstruction, balancing research exploration with product-driven milestones.
  • Lead the design and implementation of state-of-the-art 3D modeling systems, spanning geometry, appearance, and scene-level representations.
  • Drive innovation in modern 3D modeling approaches, including learning-based and optimization-based methods, with an eye toward robustness, scalability, and real-world data.
  • Guide architectural decisions around 3D representations, training pipelines, and inference systems, ensuring they integrate cleanly with broader 3D data and rendering platforms.
  • Lead and mentor a small team of research scientists and/or research engineers: providing technical guidance, setting high standards, and fostering a culture of rigor and ownership.
  • Own end-to-end execution of key initiatives, from early research prototypes through production deployment and iteration.
  • Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners to align 3D modeling capabilities with product needs, timelines, and quality bars.
  • Represent the team and its work internally and externally, including contributing to publications, technical talks, or open-source efforts where appropriate.
  • Continuously evaluate emerging research and industry trends in 3D modeling and reconstruction, and translate the most promising ideas into actionable plans.
Key Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of experience in 3D reconstruction, 3D modeling, computer vision, graphics, or closely related fields.
  • A strong track record of impactful contributions to the field, demonstrated through academic publications, influential open-source work, or widely deployed industry products.
  • Deep expertise in modern 3D modeling and reconstruction methods, including representation design, optimization strategies, and learning-based approaches.
  • Proven experience leading or mentoring a small team, lab, or project group, with responsibility for technical direction and delivery.
  • Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++, with experience building both research prototypes and production-quality systems.
  • Hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks and large-scale experimentation or training pipelines.
  • Solid understanding of how 3D modeling systems interface with data pipelines, rendering, and downstream applications.
  • Comfort operating in fast-moving, ambiguous environments, making high-leverage technical decisions with incomplete information.
  • High ownership mindset and a product-aware perspective: you care not just about novelty, but about reliability, performance, and impact.
  • Enjoy collaborating with senior peers across research and engineering, and raising the technical bar through example, mentorship, and clear technical communication.
Who You Are:
  • Fearless Innovator: We need people who thrive on challenges and aren't afraid to tackle the impossible.
  • Resilient Builder: Impacting Large World Models isn't a sprint; it's a marathon with hurdles. We're looking for builders who can weather the storms of groundbreaking research and come out stronger.
  • Mission-Driven Mindset: Everything we do is in service of creating the best spatially intelligent AI systems, and using them to empower people.
  • Collaborative Spirit: We're building something bigger than any one person. We need team players who can harness the power of collective intelligence.

We're hiring the brightest minds from around the globe to bring diverse perspectives to our cutting-edge work. If you're ready to work on technology that will reshape how machines perceive and interact with the world, World Labs is your launchpad.

Join us, and let's make history together.


Equal Opportunity & Pay Transparency

Equal Employment Opportunity

World Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. We welcome all qualified applicants and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process upon request.

California Pay Transparency

In accordance with California law, we disclose the following:

Pay Range

$250,000 - $350,000 base salary (good-faith estimate for San Francisco Bay Area upon hire; actual offer based on experience, skills, and qualifications)

Total Compensation

Base salary plus equity awards

Salary History

We do not request or consider prior compensation in making offers

Compliance: Cal. Lab. Code 432.3 (pay scale disclosure & salary history ban); Cal. Lab. Code 1197.5 (Equal Pay Act); Cal. Gov. Code 12940 (FEHA); 42 U.S.C. 2000e (Title VII); 29 U.S.C. 621 (ADEA); 42 U.S.C. 12101 (ADA)