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Character Designer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

ManTech

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$107K - $179K/yr

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform service level decision and further development activities. * Incorporate modeling and simulation tools ...

ManTech

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$107K - $179K/yr

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform service level decision and further development activities. * Incorporate modeling and simulation tools ...

ManTech International

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

$107K - $179K/yr

Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform service level decision and further development activities. * Incorporate modeling and simulation tools ...

Rosendin Electric, Inc.

Designer II

Sterling, VA · On-site

Designer II is a mid-level designer responsible for creating marked drawings, model development, and other documents showing equipment and device layouts and branch circuiting for power, lighting ...

Westinghouse Electric Company

Designer II

Richmond, VA · On-site

$60/hr

Designer II Dominion Energy - Richmond, VA 1 year contract $60 per hour Position Overview: Dominion Energy is seeking highly engaged, team-oriented individuals with a background demonstrating the ...

Huntington Ingalls Industries

DESIGNER 4

Newport News, VA · On-site

$83K - $104K/yr

We're the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges ...

Atwell, LLC

Senior Designer - Land Development

Reston, VA

$106K - $113K/yr

Your judgment, experience, and character matter most, so we encourage you to showcase what makes you uniquely you. Atwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from any 3rd party agencies. No fee will ...

Network Building + Consulting

Designer I

Richmond, VA · On-site

Meet Our Leadership Team The Designer I is a hybrid position that will support the project teams with varying degrees of direct project responsibilities while developing a baseline knowledge of the ...

Prolim Global

DESIGNER 3 @ NNS

Newport News, VA · On-site

$31.13 - $40.95/hr

Designer 3 Location: Newport News, VA Job Type: Contract Open Positions: 1 Pay Rate: $31.13 - $40.95/hr (No Overtime) Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Designer 3 to support ...

GOEBEL FIXTURE COMPANY

Senior Designer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Job Category Designer * Employee Type Full Time Exempt * Required Degree 4 Year Degree * Manage Others No Contact information * Email careers@hanbury.design Description Driven by global thinking and ...

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All JobsCharacter Designer JobsCharacter Designer Jobs in Virginia

Character Designer information

See Virginia salary details

$19

$31

$46

How much do character designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for character designer in Virginia is $31.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.61 and $36.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a character designer?

Character designers are artists who create the visual appearance, style, and personality of characters for animation, video games, comics, films, and other media. Their work involves conceptualizing and illustrating characters based on story requirements, often working closely with writers, directors, and animators. Character designers develop everything from facial expressions and costumes to body shapes and color schemes, ensuring each character is visually appealing and communicates the intended traits or emotions.

What does a character designer do?

As a character designer, you create the look and animation of a cartoon character in a film, TV show, or video game. Your responsibilities are to develop physical features, design costumes and clothes, pose characters, and collaborate with team members from concept to production. Your duties include working with mouth charts, expression sheets, shadow and color indications, and marketing artwork. You sketch, draw, illustrate, and animate by hand and through computer software. You also work with different drafts and copies and maintain artwork storage. To be successful in this field, you must be able to balance creativity with the needs and requirements of the project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a character designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Character Designer, you need strong drawing and illustration skills, a deep understanding of anatomy, color theory, and character development, often supported by a degree in art or design. Proficiency with digital design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, and 3D modeling software like ZBrush is typically required. Creativity, strong communication, and the ability to accept feedback help designers collaborate effectively and bring unique characters to life. These skills are essential to create compelling, visually distinctive characters that resonate with audiences and fit seamlessly within projects.

What are some common challenges character designers face when collaborating with other departments during production?

Character Designers often collaborate closely with animators, modelers, and directors, which can present challenges such as aligning on the visual style, ensuring designs are animation-friendly, and accommodating technical limitations. Balancing creative vision with practical constraints—like simplifying details for animation or adapting designs based on feedback—requires strong communication and flexibility. Successful Character Designers are proactive in seeking input, open to revision, and skilled at translating character concepts into workable assets that serve the story and production pipeline.

What is the difference between Character Designer vs Character Artist?

AspectCharacter DesignerCharacter Artist
Primary FocusCreating original character concepts, designs, and visual stylesRendering and illustrating detailed character artwork based on designs
Skills & ToolsConcept art, illustration, creativity, design software (Photoshop, Illustrator)Digital painting, rendering, shading, software skills (Photoshop, Painter)
Work EnvironmentGame studios, animation, film, advertisingGame studios, animation, film, freelance projects

While both roles involve working with characters, a Character Designer focuses on creating original character concepts and visual styles, whereas a Character Artist specializes in bringing those designs to life through detailed illustrations and rendering. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the industry.

How to get a job as a character designer?

To become a character designer, build a strong portfolio showcasing your drawing and conceptual skills, often using digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Gaining experience through internships, freelance work, or art courses can improve your chances, and understanding the specific style or genre of the industry you want to work in is beneficial.

What qualifications do I need to be a character designer?

To become a character designer, a strong portfolio demonstrating artistic skills and creativity is essential. A background in art, illustration, or animation, often supported by a degree in fine arts or related fields, is common. Proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and understanding of character anatomy and storytelling are also important.
More about Character Designer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Character Designer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Character Designer jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Character Designer jobs in Virginia?

For Character Designer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Character Designer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Character Designer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Character Designer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Character Designer job openings:

Character Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Designer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 73% In-person, and 27% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,252 per year, or $31.4 per hour.

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA • On-site

ManTech
IT Services • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about ManTechexternal

$107K - $179K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

ManTech rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Description & Requirements
Shape the future of defense with MANTECH! Join a team dedicated to safeguarding our nation through advanced tech and innovative solutions. Since 1968, we've been a trusted partner to the Department of Defense, delivering cutting-edge projects that make a real impact. Dive into exciting opportunities in Cybersecurity, IT, Data Analytics and more. Propel your career forward and be part of something extraordinary. Your journey starts now-protect and innovate with MANTECH!

MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented WARGAME DESIGNER to join our team in QUANTICO, VA.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Create custom wargame designs that address specific objectives and research questions to inform service level decision and further development activities.
  • Incorporate modeling and simulation tools within game design in order to continue advancing the customer towards the future wargaming concept.
  • Develop both physical and digital products for wargames to include detailed design documents, rule sets, player guides, maps, tokens and other playing pieces to contribute toward a positive player experience and engagement.
  • Facilitate and adjudicate wargames, ensuring they run smoothly and effectively and meet required objectives.
  • Collaborate effectively with other wargame designers, developers as a part of a wargame design team to include the game director and lead analyst to create an environment that is conducive in achieving the analytical objectives of the game.
  • Provide coordination assistance across various wargaming initiatives as needed to ensure customer satisfaction in every step of the planning process.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of wargame design experience. A total of 10 years' experience without a degree.
  • Must be familiar with a wide variety of game mechanics, adjudication methods, and game methodologies.
  • The ability to leverage digital wargaming platforms and simulation tools.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience with planning and accomplishing designer goals and successfully directing others in this work.
  • Proficiency in creating, designing, and delivering professional, aesthetically appealing presentations using Microsoft products (e.g., PowerPoint) for diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated experience in leveraging digital wargaming platforms and simulation tools and serving as a trusted advisor, capable of immediate contribution within these environments.
  • Prior experience in a military or government contracting environment

Clearance Requirements:

  • Must have a current and active TS/SCI clearance.

Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able and willing to perform occasional manual labor and warehouse duties, with the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

The projected compensation range for this position is $107,900.00-$179,400.00. There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location (For Remote Opportunities), education and certifications as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories.  In addition, MANTECH invests in its employees beyond just compensation.  MANTECH's benefits offerings include, dependent upon position, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, short-term and long-term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.

MANTECH considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to disability or veteran status or any other status protected under any federal, state, or local law or regulation.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position with MANTECH, please email us at careers@mantech.com and provide your name and contact information.

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