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Character Designer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

CACI

UX/UI Designer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Job Title: UX/UI Designer Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required ... At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team ...

CACI International, Inc.

UX/UI Designer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Job Title: UX/UI Designer Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required ... At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team ...

PrishanTek, Inc.

Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

Trained non-designer team members on the basics of interaction design, so they could produce reasonable initial work. Evidence of Visual Design Master: Oversaw the design language for a large set of ...

PrishanTek, Inc.

Designer

Washington, DC

Trained non-designer team members on the basics of interaction design, so they could produce reasonable initial work. Evidence of Visual Design Master: Oversaw the design language for a large set of ...

Atwell, LLC

Senior Designer - Land Development

Reston, VA · On-site

$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 ...

NJI Media LLC

Designer

Washington, DC

We welcome designers at any level, and we'll calibrate the role and scope to match your experience. This role is your passport to ambitious, versatile work across a wide range of industries, formats ...

MANTECH

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

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 ...

Tt

Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

You'll join a team that is always learning and adapting as we perform risk assessments and advise architects and owners on improving the security of their designs and facilities. Responsibilities We ...

Crateandbarrel

Designer, CB2

Tysons Corner, VA · On-site

Designers work with customers to help plan and design their spaces. Through elevated designs and delivering on the CB2 Experience (Be Positive. Inspiring. Finding a way), the Designers will maximize ...

MANTECH

Wargame Designer

Quantico, VA · On-site

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

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 ...

Accenture

Designer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$26.39 - $77.88/hr

Designers who thrive at Work & Co see no boundary between form and function. They are highly strategic, detail‑oriented, and multi‑skilled, bringing a deep understanding across visual design ...

New

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 ...

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All JobsCharacter Designer JobsCharacter Designer Jobs in Reston, VA

Character Designer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$20

$32

$49

How much do character designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for character designer in Reston, VA is $32.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.00 and $37.74 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.
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Cities near Reston, VA with the most Character Designer job openings:

Character Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Designer job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 79% In-person, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,473 per year, or $32.9 per hour.

Senior Designer - Land Development

Reston, VA

Atwell, LLC
Civil Engineering Construction • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Atwell, LLCexternal

$35 - $46/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Produce civil engineering drawings including site layout, grading, soil erosion and sediment control, storm sewer, water, and sanitary sewer plans.

  • Review project survey data to assess existing site conditions and key development factors such as ALTA surveys, legal descriptions, easement documents, and condo documents.

  • Communicate regularly with Project Managers and Team Leaders on workflow status to support chargeability and project schedule goals.

Atwell rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Who We Are

Atwell, LLC is a bold leader in the consulting, engineering, and construction services industry, delivering a broad range of creative solutions to clients in the real estate & land development, and energy markets. We have a strong national presence and a diverse, award-winning project portfolio. Atwell is a privately owned company, with 2,000+ passionate team members across 75+ locations and growing!

Atwell, LLC is a proud recipient of the following 2025 awards:

  • Ten consecutive years in a row as a "Best Place to Work" by Zweig Group (#11)
  • Recognized as #70 in the ENR Top 500 Design Firms, ranked in every region
  • Recognized in Crain's "Fast 50" as one of the fastest-growing companies (#14)
  • Recognized as the 2025 ENR Design Firm of the year for the Southeastern US

Job Description

  • Serve as a resource for design staff regarding drafting practices, standards, and procedures.
  • Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D and related engineering software to complete assignments accurately and in alignment with Atwell standards.
  • Produce a variety of civil engineering drawings including site layout, grading, soil erosion and sediment control, storm sewer, water, sanitary sewer plans, construction layout, and construction staking.
  • Review project survey data to assess existing site conditions and key development factors such as ALTA surveys, legal descriptions, easement documents, and condo documents.
  • Complete edits and revise plans based on comments from municipalities, agencies, and clients.
  • Communicate regularly with Project Managers and Team Leaders on workflow status to support chargeability and project schedule goals.

Qualifications

  • High School Diploma required; technical certificate or associate degree in drafting or engineering technology preferred.
  • 10+ years of civil design experience within residential, commercial, or industrial land development required.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D required.
  • Strong attention to detail, ability to manage multiple priorities, and commitment to producing high-quality deliverables.

Disclaimer 

While AI tools may support your application process, this role is built on human talent. 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 be paid to 3rd parties who submit unsolicited resumes to any Atwell employee. Resumes from approved vendors must be specifically requested by Atwell and approved by the Atwell Talent Acquisition Team.

#LI-RD1

Pay Range
$35—$46 USD

Atwell Benefits: To attract and retain the best professionals in the industry, we aim to provide an excellent working environment and a progressive benefits program designed to support your personal and professional needs.

Work/Life:

  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible work schedules are available for some positions
  • Tenure Awards — Travel Vouchers to see the world based on your travel preferences

Compensation:

  • Competitive Compensation packages 
  • Annual bonuses, spot bonuses and peer recognition awards
  • 401K match - 1:1 up to 4% of compensation 
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Student Loan Repayment 
  • Paid Licensing / Certification Fees and Renewals
  • Financial Rewards for Obtaining Licensure
  • Employee Referrals 
  • Annual Wellness Reimbursement for anything wellness related (Gym memberships, fitness tracker, home gym equipment, etc.)
  • Dependent Care Match

'Atwell'ness:

  • Medical (BC/BS), Dental (Delta), and Vision (VSP)
  • Family Planning & IVF Benefits
  • Pet Insurance
  • Health Savings Account & Flex Spending Account options
  • Employer paid LTD, STD, and life insurance
  • Metlife Supplemental Benefits covering accident, hospitalization, and critical illness
  • Member Assistance Program (MAP) with complimentary counseling sessions, legal benefits, financial consultations, and work/life referral services

What Atwell employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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