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

Senior Structural Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$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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3D Rigger information

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$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:
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.

Sr. MEP Design Engineer [Hybrid/Houston, TX - USA]

SUBMER

Houston, TX • Hybrid

Other

Medical, Retirement

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Job Title:  Senior MEP Design Engineer 

Location: Houston, TX [Hybrid]

Start: Immediate

Type of Role: Permanent / Full time

Level of Experience: Senior level 8+ years of experience 

Travel Requirements: up to 10%

About Submer  

Submer designs and delivers end-to-end AI datacenter infrastructure built around industry-leading liquid cooling. We help organizations scale AI beyond the limits of traditional datacenters by enabling higher density, greater efficiency and lower environmental impact - accelerating time-to-AI from first deployment to full production. 

What impact you will have 

We are seeking a specialized Senior MEP Design Engineer to lead the research, prototyping, and execution of modular, hyperscale data center units. You will translate client and IT capacity requirements into efficient, scalable, and code-compliant modular packages. Your focus will be optimizing equipment layout in a modular data center (MDC container to survive physical transport, rigging, and rapid on-site deployment while reducing deployment timelines and cost. 

What you'll do 

  • Modular Integration: Engineer and optimize physical layouts for server racks, cable routing, and containment while eliminating spatial conflicts using BIM. Ensure structural enclosures maintain integrity during transport, lifting, and field installation. 
  • Direct Liquid Cooling Architecture: Design secondary fluid networks inside the container, including Cooling Distribution Units (CDUs), manifolds, and dripless quick-disconnect lines.
  • Electrical System Design: Architect electrical paths capable of delivering 100 KW + per rack, detailing high-capacity busways, intelligent PDUs, and localized power protection. Create and audit single-line diagrams, schematic wiring, and cable schedules.
  • Thermal Management: Design precise HVAC and cooling systems (e.g., in-row cooling, hot/cold aisle containment, liquid cooling). Use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to validate cooling performance under maximum thermal loads. 
  • Controls & Telemetry: Architect monitoring and telemetry systems, including DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) networks and BMS (Building Management Systems). 
  • Manufacturing & Testing: Drive prototype development, create standard fabrication instructions, and conduct Factory Witness Testing (FWT) to ensure manufacturability. 
  • Compliance & Standards: Ensure designs comply with mission-critical industry and regulatory standards (e.g., NFPA 70, UL, ASHRAE guidelines)

What you will have

  • BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a highly technical equivalent discipline.
  • Experience: 8+ years in mission-critical data center design, with a strict emphasis on liquid cooling (Direct-to-Chip or Immersion) and hyperscale facilities.
  • Fluid Dynamics Mastery: Deep knowledge of closed-loop fluid dynamics, structural piping design, materials compatibility, and anti-corrosion/filtration chemical treatments.
  • Software Toolset: Mastery of Autodesk Revit, CREO or SolidWorks,  and specialized structural or piping software.
  • Develop, coordinate, and maintain intelligent 3D MEP models using [BIM Software, e.g., Revit], ensuring clash detection, spatial coordination, and seamless integration with architectural and structural designs.
  • Proficiency in thermal-fluid systems design, mechanical packaging, and system-level integration.
  • Excellent communication and project leadership skills across cross-functional engineering disciplines.

  Qualifications

  • Licensure: Active Professional Engineer (PE) status or Chartered Engineer (CEng) equivalent
  • Hyperscale Credentials: Certified Mission Critical Professional (CMCP) or Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD).
  • OEM Experience: Direct history integrating server architectures from Tier 1 AI hardware providers (e.g., NVIDIA DGX, AMD Instinct, or Intel Gaudi systems).
  • Fluid loop expertise: Deep knowledge of ASHRAE Liquid Cooling Guidelines (W1 to W5 water temperature classifications).
  • Manufacturing Knowledge: Experience working inside a prefabricated modular assembly factory or automotive/aerospace packaging plant.

What we offer 

  • Attractive compensation package reflecting your expertise and experience.
  • Medical Insurance Plan.
  • 401K Employee volunteer contribution Plan. 
  • A great work environment characterized by friendliness, international diversity, flexibility, and a hybrid-friendly approach.
  • Youll be part of a fast-growing scale-up with a mission to make a positive impact, offering an exciting career evolution. 

Our job titles may span more than one job level. The actual base pay is dependent on a number of factors, such as transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. 

Our inclusive responsibility 

Submer is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.