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3D Weapons Artist Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

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3D Weapons Artist information

See Renton, WA salary details

$22

$44

$77

How much do 3d weapons artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d weapons artist in Renton, WA is $44.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.58 and $54.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a 3D Weapons Artist do?

A 3D Weapons Artist is responsible for designing, modeling, and texturing realistic or stylized weapons for video games, movies, or other digital media. They use 3D software to create detailed weapon assets that fit the technical and artistic requirements of a project. Their work often involves collaborating with concept artists, animators, and game designers to ensure the weapons look great and function properly in the virtual environment.

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

To thrive as a 3D Weapons Artist, you need strong skills in 3D modeling, texturing, and digital sculpting, typically supported by a portfolio and proficiency in industry-standard software. Expertise in tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and Substance Painter, as well as familiarity with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity, is essential. Attention to detail, creativity, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills for standing out in this role. These abilities ensure the creation of visually compelling, technically accurate weapons that enhance gameplay and meet production standards.

What are some common challenges faced by 3D Weapons Artists in game development projects?

3D Weapons Artists often encounter challenges such as balancing high visual fidelity with strict polygon and texture budgets to ensure optimal game performance. They must also adhere to the unique art style of each project while collaborating closely with animators, technical artists, and game designers to ensure weapon assets function correctly in-game. Additionally, managing feedback loops and rapidly iterating on designs to meet gameplay requirements or creative direction can be demanding. Staying up-to-date with evolving software and industry standards is also essential to remain competitive in the field.

What is the difference between 3D Weapons Artist vs 3D Character Artist?

Aspect3D Weapons Artist3D Character Artist
Required SkillsModeling, texturing, and detailing weapons and weapon accessoriesModeling, texturing, and rigging characters and organic assets
Work EnvironmentGame studios, film, and animation companies focusing on weapon designGame studios, film, and animation companies focusing on character creation
Common CertificationsPortfolio showcasing weapon assets, 3D modeling certificationsPortfolio with character models, 3D art certifications

While both roles require strong 3D modeling and texturing skills, a 3D Weapons Artist specializes in creating detailed weapon assets, whereas a 3D Character Artist focuses on character models. Both roles are essential in game and film industries, often working closely but with distinct asset types.

What job categories do people searching 3D Weapons Artist jobs in Renton, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for 3D Weapons Artist jobs in Renton, WA are:

What cities near Renton, WA are hiring for 3D Weapons Artist jobs?

Cities near Renton, WA with the most 3D Weapons Artist job openings:

3D Weapons Artist jobs near you

Lead 3D Artist - Unannounced Project

Lightfox Games

Seattle, WA • On-site

$135 - $165/hr

Other

Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Lightfox Games is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Lead 3D Artist to join our Seattle, Washington based team to work on an unannounced mobile game for a world-class IP and Publisher. We are looking to build an organization of talented individuals operating in small teams with high levels of ownership. This role is hybrid out of our downtown Seattle office, with approximately 50% of time expected in-person. When remote, we're a quick-to-videocall, video-on studio to keep collaboration fast and effective.

Responsibilities
  • Own the character art pipeline end-to-end, establishing the standards, and workflows that define the game's characters
  • Create high-quality 3D assets, including characters, props, weapons, and environment art, that meet mobile performance requirements and align with the IP's visual identity
  • Work across disciplines as needed, contributing to environments, levels, and architectural/building assets alongside the character pipeline
  • Collaborate with Art Direction, Design, and Engineering to establish and maintain art pipelines, standards, and best practices
  • Optimize models, textures, and materials to balance visual fidelity with mobile performance constraints
  • Mentor and provide constructive feedback to other artists, helping elevate the overall quality bar
  • Lead the visual development of the game, from early concept exploration through final in-engine polish
Requirements
  • 8+ years of professional game development experience, including lead-level ownership of a character or 3D art pipeline on at least one shipped title
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in 3D modeling, texturing, and material creation across a range of asset types, including characters and environments
  • Proven ability to set and maintain a visual style across a team, with experience mentoring or leading other artists
  • Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter/Designer, and Photoshop
  • Experience with Unity and its asset pipeline
  • Solid understanding of real-time rendering constraints, PBR workflows, and texture budgets for mobile platforms
  • Comfortable working multi-disciplinarily across characters, props, and environments as the project requires
  • Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset, comfortable working in small, fast-moving teams
Nice to Have
  • Experience working within an established IP or licensed property
  • Experience with stylized art directions
  • Experience with environment and level art, including architectural/building assets
  • Experience leveraging AI tools in art production workflows
Compensation

US$135,000 – US$165,000 depending on experience, plus health/vision/dental coverage, 401(k) matching, commuting benefits, and equity.

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