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3D Background Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX · On-site

$105K - $119K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ... Engineering background or technical education is a plus, with the ability to understand and ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX

$105K - $119K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ... Engineering background or technical education is a plus, with the ability to understand and ...

CesiumAstro

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX

$105K - $119K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of ... Engineering background or technical education is a plus, with the ability to understand and ...

Sideshow

VFX/Motion Graphics Artist

Thousand Oaks, CA · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Experience with 3D Software (Maya, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, Blender). Bonus Skills * Experience with ... Applicants will undergo background, credit and security check, if applicable. * Relocation ...

Arrow International, Inc.

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background. * Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of ... Experience with 3D Software (Maya, Blender, etc.). We offer a dynamic and creative environment ...

Arrow International, Inc

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background. * Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of ... Experience with 3D Software (Maya, Blender, etc.). We offer a dynamic and creative environment ...

Arrow International Inc

Senior Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80 - $120K/hr

Gaming or casino-related knowledge or background. * Knowledge of animation principles. Usage of ... Experience with 3D Software (Maya, Blender, etc.). We offer a dynamic and creative environment ...

Aquent

Spatial Window Designer

Campbell, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

This is your chance to leverage your unique 3D spatial perspective to translate storefronts into ... pristine artistic output under firm retail deadlines. Nice-to-Have Qualifications * Proven ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Environment Artist

Boston, MA · On-site

$99K - $163K/yr

Maya & 3DS Max are valued however Blender is our primary 3D modeling package. * Excellent sense of ... a background check in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Health & Well-Being

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Environment Artist

Boston, MA · Hybrid

Maya & 3DS Max are valued however Blender is our primary 3D modeling package. * Excellent sense of ... a background check in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Health & Well-Being

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Environment Artist

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$99K - $163K/yr

Maya & 3DS Max are valued however Blender is our primary 3D modeling package. * Excellent sense of ... a background check in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Health & Well-Being

Vuly Play

CGI Concept Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$136K - $157K/yr

What we're looking for Essential * 3+ years' professional experience in CGI, 3D visualisation or a ... Background in design (UI, UX or Industrial Design) * A passion for interactive game design and a ...

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3d Background Artist information

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

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for 3d background artist in the United States is $39.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.16 and $48.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a 3d background artist do?

A 3D Background Artist creates the digital environments and settings that appear behind characters and main objects in animations, video games, films, and other visual media. Their work involves modeling, texturing, and lighting backgrounds to achieve a realistic or stylized look, depending on the project requirements. They collaborate closely with other artists, such as character and lighting artists, to ensure the visual consistency and quality of the final scene. 3D Background Artists play a crucial role in establishing the atmosphere, mood, and storytelling elements of a project.

What are some common challenges faced by 3d background artists when collaborating with other departments in game or film production?

3D Background Artists often work closely with concept artists, level designers, and lighting teams to ensure that the environments they create fit seamlessly within the project's visual and technical requirements. One common challenge is balancing creative vision with performance constraints, as backgrounds must look detailed yet remain optimized for real-time rendering. Communication is key, as feedback from art directors or technical leads may require quick adjustments to assets. Additionally, aligning the style and scale of backgrounds with other artists' work requires flexibility and strong teamwork skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3d background artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Background Artist, you need strong artistic skills in composition, lighting, and color theory, along with a solid understanding of 3D modeling and texturing, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, ZBrush, and Adobe Photoshop is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with teams and interpreting creative briefs. These capabilities ensure visually compelling environments that enhance storytelling and meet production standards in animation, film, or game development.

What is the difference between 3D Background Artist vs 3D Environment Artist?

Aspect3D Background Artist3D Environment Artist
Primary FocusCreating detailed background scenes and static environments for various mediaDesigning and building immersive 3D environments for games, films, or VR
Skills & ToolsModeling, texturing, painting backgrounds, Photoshop, Maya, BlenderLevel design, environment modeling, lighting, Unreal Engine, Unity
Work EnvironmentFilm, animation, game studios, freelance projectsGame development studios, film production, VR experiences

While both roles involve creating 3D environments, a 3D Background Artist specializes in detailed, static backgrounds often used in animation and illustration, whereas a 3D Environment Artist focuses on designing interactive, immersive environments primarily for games and virtual experiences. The skill sets overlap but differ in application and tools used.

How much do 3D background artists get paid?

3D background artists typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level artists may start lower, while experienced professionals with strong skills in software like Blender or Maya can earn higher salaries, especially in larger studios or competitive markets.

What cities are hiring for 3D Background Artist jobs?

Cities with the most 3D Background Artist job openings:

What states have the most 3D Background Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for 3D Background Artist jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to 3D Background Artist jobs?

For 3D Background Artist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various 3D Background Artist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 75% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,070 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Senior 3D Motion Designer

Austin, TX • On-site

CesiumAstro
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about CesiumAstroexternal

$105K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
The 3D Motion Designer owns production of high-quality 3D content for web, social, press, events, and executive presentations. This role leads complex 3D animated sequences and renders, translating technical concepts into beautiful, technically accurate visual stories, and establishes standards for modular, reusable animation assets. This position operates with general supervision, exercising independent judgment on creative and technical execution and mentoring junior designers.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Own production of high-quality 3D animated content for web, social, press, events, and executive presentations.
  • Lead creation of polished, artful 3D animated sequences for marketing, product storytelling, technical explainers, and similar use cases.
  • Own the full 3D production process, including animation, composition, lighting, materials, camera animation, rendering, and compositing.
  • Create both realistic product/system renders and abstract concept animations, with an emphasis on realistic visual execution.
  • Establish and maintain modular 3D animation assets and standards for reuse across videos, campaigns, and presentations.
  • Translate complex engineering concepts into beautiful and technically accurate visual content, independently resolving ambiguity in technical input.
  • Partner directly with engineers and designers to develop storyboards and technical concepts for complex projects.
  • Collaborate with designers, marketers, and engineering subject matter experts, serving as the primary point of contact for 3D content.
  • Apply strong visual storytelling instincts to balance technical accuracy, clarity, beauty, and brand impact across high-visibility projects.
  • Maintain strong attention to detail and own quality for all final renders.
  • Establish file organization and asset management standards, and mentor junior designers on 3D production practices.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Animation, Motion Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, with 5-8 years of professional experience in 3D animation, motion design, or visual effects.
  • Expert knowledge of the end-to-end 3D production pipeline, including modeling, animation, lighting, materials, camera animation, rendering, compositing, and post-production.
  • Demonstrated ability to create both realistic product/system renders and abstract concept animations, with an emphasis on realistic visual execution.
  • Ability to establish and scale modular 3D animation assets across multiple videos, campaigns, and presentations.
  • Strong portfolio or reel demonstrating 3D animation, realistic rendering, technical visualization, or cinematic product storytelling.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard 3D software such as Cinema 4D, Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max.
  • Experience using professional rendering engines, including Redshift, Octane, Arnold, or V-Ray.
  • Advanced proficiency with Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro for animation, compositing, and video editing.
  • Experience with Substance Painter or similar texturing and material authoring tools.
  • Ability to manage multiple creative projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional quality, attention to detail, and adherence to deadlines.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
  • Experience with aerospace, RF, satellite communications, hardware, phased arrays, payloads, antennas, orbital networks, software-defined radios, or systems architecture.
  • Engineering background or technical education is a plus, with the ability to understand and accurately communicate complex engineering concepts through visual media.
  • Real-time rendering or interactive 3D experience.
  • 2D motion graphics experience, especially for titles, labels, annotations, diagrams, and technical callouts.

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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