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Assistant 3D Character Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

As a Lead Character Artist at Cloud Chamber, under the supervision of the Art Director, you will ... Expert proficiency in 3D creation tools including 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter ...

Description The 3D Environmental Artist is an entry-to-mid-level technical artist responsible for ... * Assist with animation of environmental objects and airport assets where required. * Optimize ...

ORA_ON_SITE Description The 3D Environmental Artist is an entry-to-mid-level technical artist ... * Assist with animation of environmental objects and airport assets where required. * Optimize ...

$80 - $100/hr

... Unreal Animation Artist at Serviceplan Group, you are the bridge between static 3D models and ... Work closely with character/prop rigging tools, utilize Control Rig within Unreal Engine, and ...

As an early member of this team, you will have significant artistic and research freedom to shape ... You're good at 3D character animation Bonus if you have used mocap and understand the mocap ...

Lead 3D Tracking Artist

New Orleans, LA ยท On-site

$122K - $146K/yr

Lead 3D Tracking / Matchmove Artist Location: New Orleans, LA - Onsite Studio: Swaybox Studios ... Create accurate rotomation of CG character rigs to match puppet and performer movement when ...

Roblox 3D Artist

Los Angeles, CA ยท Remote

$30 - $45/hr

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

Roblox 3D Artist

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site +1

$30 - $45/hr

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

... 3D Artist (Generalist) who can model across a wide range of subject matter, from characters and ... Knowledge of avatar rigging or custom character controllers in Roblox * Prior experience creating ...

Provide feedback and mentorship to junior artists * Assist senior artists in achieving project ... with Maya or similar 3D animation tools * A portfolio showing emotionally driven character ...

Provide feedback and mentorship to junior artists * Assist senior artists in achieving project ... with Maya or similar 3D animation tools * A portfolio showing emotionally driven character ...

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Assistant 3d Character Artist information

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$104.5K

$120.5K

$128.5K

How much do assistant 3d character artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant 3d character artist in the United States is $120,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant 3D character artist do?

An Assistant 3D Character Artist helps create and refine digital character models for video games, films, or other media. They typically work under the supervision of senior artists, assisting with tasks such as sculpting, texturing, rigging, and optimizing 3D character assets. Their responsibilities may also include preparing models for animation and ensuring that the characters meet the technical and artistic standards of the project. This role is often an entry-level position and is a great way to gain experience in the field of 3D art.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant 3D character artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant 3D Character Artist, you need a solid understanding of 3D modeling, texturing, and anatomy, typically supported by a relevant degree or portfolio of work. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter is essential, and familiarity with real-time rendering engines like Unreal Engine is often expected. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to take feedback and collaborate effectively with team members are crucial soft skills. These abilities ensure the creation of high-quality, visually appealing characters that meet project requirements and integrate seamlessly into the production pipeline.

How does an assistant 3D character artist typically collaborate with other team members during a game development project?

As an Assistant 3D Character Artist, you will regularly work alongside lead artists, animators, and game designers to ensure character models meet both artistic and technical requirements. Communication is key, as you'll receive feedback from senior team members and make revisions to align with the project's creative vision. You may also coordinate with rigging and texturing specialists to ensure your models are optimized for animation and gameplay. This role offers a supportive environment to learn best practices and develop skills by collaborating closely within a multidisciplinary team.

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

AspectAssistant 3D Character Artist3D Character Artist
CredentialsTypically an entry-level or junior degree in 3D art, animation, or related fieldsAdvanced skills, portfolio, and often more experience or a higher education level
Work EnvironmentCollaborates under supervision, often in a team setting within game or film studiosWorks independently or leads projects, with more responsibility
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in gaming, animation, and film industries as an entry-level roleMid-level to senior roles in similar industries, focusing on high-quality character creation

The main difference between an Assistant 3D Character Artist and a 3D Character Artist lies in experience, responsibility, and skill level. The assistant role is typically entry-level, focusing on learning and supporting the team, while the 3D Character Artist is more experienced, handling complex tasks independently.

What cities are hiring for Assistant 3D Character Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Assistant 3D Character Artist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Character Artist jobs?

The most popular types of 3D Character Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Assistant 3D Character Artist jobs?

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

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

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

Lead Character Artist

Novato, CA โ€ข On-site

2K
PC Gamesย โ€ขย 1 - 5K employees

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Manage, coach, and mentor a team of character artists to support their career growth, development, and artistic output.

  • Set artistic standards in Unreal Engine, build reference assets, and establish workflows to ensure consistent quality.

  • Collaborate with various teams to prototype assets and ensure character specifications align with project goals.


Job description

As a Lead Character Artist at Cloud Chamber, under the supervision of the Art Director, you will play a key role in establishing the overall visual quality bar and guidelines for character development on the project. In this role, you'll lead a team of artists to achieve their full potential, collaborate with a passionate group of game developers to craft compelling stylized character assets that support our aesthetic, meet technical requirements, and gameplay needs, ultimately bringing the richly imagined world of BioShock to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Manage, coach, and mentor a team of character artists to support their career growth, development, and artistic output.
  • Set artistic standards in Unreal Engine, build exemplary reference assets, and establish clear workflows to ensure consistent quality.
  • Work closely with Directors, Leads, Concept, Environment, Design, Gameplay, and Animation teams to prototype assets and ensure character specifications align with project goals.
  • Collaborate with the Art Director and Outsourcing Manager to assign and schedule character assets for external development partners.
  • Contribute to material pipelines, track team output, supervise bug distribution, and provide input on custom tools and software.

What We'll Do Together:
At Cloud Chamber, we are champions of high standards, pushing for progress and embracing change. We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and identify solutions to overcome developmental obstacles to deliver a world-class AAA experience.
Skills & Experiences:
  • 10+ years of professional experience in the video game industry, with 2 or more shipped titles as a character artist (preferably on a first-person title).
  • Proven success managing, guiding, and mentoring a team of character artists.
  • Expert proficiency in 3D creation tools including 3ds Max, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Marvelous Designer, and Unreal Engine.
  • Mastery of the PBR pipeline for texture creation, including baking tools, Substance Painter, and Photoshop.
  • Exceptional background in traditional art with an expert understanding of human anatomy, composition, proportion, volume, light, and color.

Who You Are:
  • A reliable, positive force multiplier, actively seeking opportunities to integrate work across disciplines and contribute to a healthy, supportive team environment.
  • A solid communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, package information for diverse audiences, and deliver difficult feedback with empathy and professionalism.
  • Experienced in working in cross-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills.
  • Persistent and self-motivated with a proactive mindset.
  • Able to maintain effectiveness and quality under pressure, ambiguity, and fast-changing priorities.
  • An active listener able to build and maintain trust-based relationships across all levels of the organization, understand differing perspectives, and navigate organizational complexity with tact and emotional intelligence.
  • Highly open to feedback and direction, possessing a desire to learn new skills, and capable of producing quick, quality revisions based on new insights or constraints.
  • Strong ownership of tasks, striving to drive work forward autonomously while maintaining a critical eye for detail and organization, ensuring high standards of quality.
  • Dedicated to upholding Cloud Chamber's core values, contributing to a positive and respectful company culture while striving for excellence in all endeavors.

Who We Are:
At Cloud Chamber we strive to make BioShock games that move people: evocative, immersive, and meaningful experiences that stay with you long after you've rolled credits. Great games are born from great collaborations, supported by a culture that brings out the best in our teams. We work openly, learn through play, take ownership, push ourselves to be better, and deliver for our players.
#LI-Remote
The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $150,400 and $180,000 USD per Year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations. Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses.
For candidates located in Quebec:This position requires professional proficiency in both French and English. Proficiency in English is required to collaborate with our U.S. teams and international partners, as well as to handle specialized technical documentation (reading, writing, and communication).
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to ensuring that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform their essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us if you need reasonable accommodation.
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never use instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews. When emailing prospective employees, we only use 2K.com accounts.