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3D Rigger Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

TNT Crane & Rigging

CAD/Lift Planner

Houston, TX · On-site

$25.75 - $35.50/hr

Southway Crane & Rigging, Inc. Position: CAD Designer/Engineer Tech Location: Houston, TX Reports ... The CAD Designer uses 2D/3D computer aided drafting and calculations to provide support to ...

Southway Crane & Rigging

CAD/Lift Planner

Houston, TX · On-site

$25.75 - $35.50/hr

Southway Crane & Rigging, Inc. Position: CAD Designer/Engineer Tech Location: Houston, TX Reports ... The CAD Designer uses 2D/3D computer aided drafting and calculations to provide support to ...

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Missouri City, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

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Blender Tutor

Houston, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Pearland, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Sugar Land, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Houston, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... rigging, rendering with Arnold and V-Ray, particle systems, and scene management. Ability to ... Skilled at teaching 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering workflows in 3DS Max. Guides students ...

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Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Sugar Land, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... rigging, rendering with Arnold and V-Ray, particle systems, and scene management. Ability to ... Skilled at teaching 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering workflows in 3DS Max. Guides students ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Pearland, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... rigging, rendering with Arnold and V-Ray, particle systems, and scene management. Ability to ... Skilled at teaching 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering workflows in 3DS Max. Guides students ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Missouri City, TX · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... rigging, rendering with Arnold and V-Ray, particle systems, and scene management. Ability to ... Skilled at teaching 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering workflows in 3DS Max. Guides students ...

Saipem

Offshore Structural Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

... and rigging, and seafastening. How can you support us? Here below your responsibilities: * In ... Provide data to Designers to allow the creation of 3D and 2D design drawings. Review the design ...

Giga Energy

Senior Structural Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site +1

$96K - $130K/yr

... rigging (pick points), and stacking configurations. * Steel Detailing: Design and seal cold-formed ... Expert-level proficiency in RISA-3D, SAP2000, ETABS, or STAAD.Pro for structural analysis

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All Jobs3D Rigger Jobs3D Rigger Jobs in Houston, TX

3D Rigger information

See Houston, TX salary details

$12

$23

$32

How much do 3d rigger jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d rigger in Houston, TX is $23.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.77 and $26.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges 3D Riggers face when working on animated projects?

3D Riggers often encounter challenges such as creating rigs that are both flexible and stable enough to handle a wide range of character movements without deformation or technical issues. Balancing the needs of animators for control and simplicity, while ensuring the rig performs efficiently in production, can be demanding. Additionally, adapting rigs for different software pipelines and collaborating closely with modelers and animators to troubleshoot problems are frequent parts of the job. Overcoming these challenges requires strong technical skills, creativity, and effective communication within the team.

What 3D job pays the most?

Among 3D-related roles, senior 3D artists, technical directors, and 3D supervisors tend to have the highest salaries, especially in industries like film, gaming, and visual effects. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and proficiency with tools like Maya, Blender, or Houdini, and can offer six-figure compensation in major markets.

How to become a 3D rigger?

To become a 3D rigger, you should develop skills in 3D modeling, animation, and rigging using software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max. Gaining a strong understanding of anatomy, weight painting, and scripting can improve your effectiveness, and building a portfolio of rigging projects is essential for job applications.

What does a 3D rigger do?

A 3D rigger creates the skeletal structures and control systems needed to animate 3D models in animation, gaming, or film production. They set up rigs using software like Maya or Blender, ensuring models can move naturally and efficiently. Strong knowledge of anatomy, rigging tools, and scripting is essential for this role.

What is the highest paying rigger job?

The highest paying rigger jobs are typically in the oil and gas, aerospace, or heavy construction industries, where specialized skills and certifications are required. Senior riggers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in complex lifting operations can earn higher salaries, often exceeding six figures annually. Location, industry demand, and project complexity significantly influence compensation for riggers.

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

To thrive as a 3D Rigger, you need a strong understanding of anatomy, movement, and 3D modeling principles, often supported by a degree in animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, and scripting languages such as Python or MEL is typically required. Excellent problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help in collaborating with animators and technical artists. These skills ensure the creation of efficient, realistic rigs that enable smooth animation and enhance overall production quality.

What are 3D Riggers?

3D Riggers are professionals in the animation, film, and gaming industries who create digital skeletons for 3D models. Their work involves designing and building the underlying structures that allow 3D characters or objects to move realistically when animated. Riggers use specialized software to set up controls and deformers, enabling animators to pose and animate models efficiently. Their expertise ensures that characters can express a wide range of movements and emotions, which is essential for believable animation.
What are popular job titles related to 3D Rigger jobs in Houston, TX? For 3D Rigger jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching 3D Rigger jobs in Houston, TX look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Rigger jobs in Houston, TX are:
What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for 3D Rigger jobs? Cities near Houston, TX with the most 3D Rigger job openings:
3D Rigger jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Rigger job openings in Houston, TX as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,693 per year, or $23.4 per hour.
CAD/Lift Planner

CAD/Lift Planner

TNT Crane & Rigging

Houston, TX • On-site

$25.75 - $35.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

TNT Crane & Rigging rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

107th of 144 rated vehicle equipment hire

Job description

Southway Crane & Rigging, Inc.
Position: CAD Designer/Engineer Tech
Location: Houston, TX
Reports to: Engineering Manager 

Southway is looking to add a full-time CAD Designer to our growing Branch. Southway offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package which include flexible work hours, health benefits, paid vacation, we are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success.

Summary: The CAD Designer uses 2D/3D computer aided drafting and calculations to provide support to engineering and operations by preparing accurate and routine lift-plans, detail drawings, assembly drawings, sketches and diagrams.

Responsibilities:

  • Uses 2D/3D AutoCad to develop lift plans, machinery installations and supporting designs.
  • Sets up and maintains an organized file system for execution drawings.
  • Meet with the client as necessary to discuss job scope and field measure the jobsite.
  • Work with the client and crane operators / riggers to determine the most practical and efficient way to complete the job.
  • Determine the proper crane size, type, configuration and placement.
  • Determine the proper rigging size, type and capacity.
  • Determine the necessary matting to achieve an allowable ground bearing pressure.
  • Assemble lift plan packets with all required details, drawings and certifications.
  • Communicate and review the lift plan with team, client, operations, and/or safety personnel.
  • Adapt to job changes and revisions efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Construction Management, or other related discipline
  • 3 years of experience in drafting/design of moving or installation of oversized/overweight cargo via cranes, forklifts and other hydraulic equipment.
  • 3 years of experience using programs such as: AutoCad 3D, Solidworks, Bluebeam, Cranebee, 3D Lift Planner.
  • Experience working with rules and standards such as: AISC, ASME-BTH and AWS

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Associates degree in Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Design Drafting, or other related disciplines.
  • 2 years of experience working with movement or installation of project cargo utilizing various types of heavy machinery, including cranes.

Skills Required:

  • Experience using Autocad, Excel, MS Word, and Outlook.
  • Strong organizational and communication (written and verbal) skills.
  • Able to prioritize and coordinate multiple daily tasks and work within tight deadlines.

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