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Character Designer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Oceaneering International, Inc.

Senior Designer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$38.75 - $58.17/hr

The Senior Designer applies creative design skills, computer aided design drafting (CADD) practices, and knowledge of manufacturing techniques to the generation of solid models, layout, assembly, and ...

Pennoni

Utility Designer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$23 - $30/hr

We are hiring for an experienced CAD Technician to join our team on a full-time, direct basis as a Utility Designer at our office in Columbia, MD. This person will be expected to contribute primarily ...

Actalent

Distribution Designer

Baltimore, MD · Hybrid

$38.46 - $43.27/hr

Distribution Designer A growing utility engineering and design firm is seeking a Senior Distribution Designer to support electric utility projects for a major Maryland utility client. This individual ...

Apply Early

kgs

Web Designer - SharePoint

Fort Belvoir, VA · Remote

The Web Designer - SharePoint Specialist will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining visually compelling, userfriendly SharePoint sites and web content. This role includes leading ...

kgs

Web Designer - SharePoint

Fort Belvoir, VA · Remote

The Web Designer - SharePoint Specialist will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining visually compelling, userfriendly SharePoint sites and web content. This role includes leading ...

kgs

Web Designer - SharePoint

Fort Belvoir, VA · Remote

The Web Designer - SharePoint Specialist will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining visually compelling, userfriendly SharePoint sites and web content. This role includes leading ...

Interactive Strategies

Digital Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

If you're a web designer who values both exceptional visual design and intuitive user experiences, you'll feel right at home at Interactive Strategies. From website design and brand development to ...

American Trucking Association

Senior Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Designer to join our creative team. This role will be key in developing and overseeing design projects in support ...

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Trilon Group

Engineering Designer II

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$76K - $102K/yr

Engineering Designer II Department: Engineering Employment Type: Full Time Location: Baltimore, MD Compensation: $76,000 - $102,000 / year Description Alta Planning + Design seeks an Engineering ...

Interactive Strategies

Digital Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

If you're a web designer who values both exceptional visual design and intuitive user experiences, you'll feel right at home at Interactive Strategies. From website design and brand development to ...

Interactive Strategies

Digital Designer

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$70K - $85K/yr

If you're a web designer who values both exceptional visual design and intuitive user experiences, you'll feel right at home at Interactive Strategies. From website design and brand development to ...

Hargrove

Experience Designer - HARGROVE

Lanham, MD · On-site

Position Overview An Experience Designer will be responsible for conceiving human-centered design solutions that fulfill strategic business objectives as outlined by existing and potential clients.

Chainbridge Solutions

Space Designer

Germantown, MD

Description Chainbridge Solutions Inc. is seeking an energetic and highly motivated individual to join us as a Space Designer working onsite at the Department of Energy (DOE) in their Washington DC ...

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All JobsCharacter Designer JobsCharacter Designer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Character Designer information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$19

$32

$49

How much do character designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for character designer in Silver Spring, MD is $32.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.86 and $37.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 are character designers?

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 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.

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.

How do you become a character designer?

To become a character designer, you typically need a strong foundation in art and design, often gained through a bachelor's degree in illustration, animation, or a related field. Building a portfolio that showcases your ability to create diverse and compelling characters is essential, along with proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. Gaining experience through internships or freelance work can also help establish a professional network and improve your skills.

Is character design a good career?

Character design is a viable career for those with strong artistic skills, creativity, and proficiency in digital tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. It often involves working in entertainment, gaming, or animation industries, with opportunities for freelance or full-time employment. Success depends on building a strong portfolio, networking, and staying current with industry trends.

How hard is it to get a job in character design?

Securing a job as a character designer can be competitive, requiring a strong portfolio demonstrating creativity and technical skills in drawing and design. Relevant experience, proficiency with industry tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, and a good understanding of character development increase job prospects. Building a network and staying updated on industry trends also help in finding opportunities.

What is the job called where you design characters?

A character designer is a professional who creates and develops the visual appearance of characters for video games, animation, comics, or other media. The role involves sketching, concept art, and understanding anatomy, often using tools like Photoshop or Illustrator. Strong artistic skills and a portfolio are essential for this position.
More about Character Designer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Character Designer jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Character Designer jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Character Designer jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Character Designer jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Character Designer jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Character Designer job openings:
Character Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Character Designer job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,170 per year, or $32.8 per hour.
Senior Designer

Senior Designer

Oceaneering International, Inc.

Hanover, MD • On-site

$38.75 - $58.17/hr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Oceaneering rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

254th of 421 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

The Senior Designer applies creative design skills, computer aided design drafting (CADD) practices, and knowledge of manufacturing techniques to the generation of solid models, layout, assembly, and detail drawings for mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and electronic equipment of moderate complexity for a variety of ADTECH engineering projects. The Staff Designer may also prepare sketches and other graphic information for use within technical documents, proposals, and sales-related documents. The Staff Designer may supervise the work of other designer and drafter personnel

Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.
Equal Opportunity Employer: 
All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factor.
Oceaneering Aerospace and Defense Technologies (AdTech) delivers solutions that enable humans to work safely and effectively in harsh environments - from underwater to the outer reaches of space. Our innovative solutions support the development and application of practical, cost-effective systems that meet our customers' challenges - from routine to extreme. Our experience and expertise across multiple industries uniquely positions us as a leader in the government, space, and maritime services markets. Our products and services meet the rigorous demands of the complex environments in which they operate, delivering results without compromising safety or reliability.

  • 10-15 years of CAD design experience.

  • Associate degree in design, drafting, or related engineering field, or equivalent work experience. 

  • Formal training in use of Dassault Systemes SolidWorks solid modeling software.

  • Proficient in SolidWorks Routing Program, Sheet Metal Program, Weldment Program, and product data management. 

  • SolidWorks Advanced Parts and Advanced Assemblies certificate preferred. 

  • Working knowledge of Military Standards and ANSI Y14 drafting standards including geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.

  • Experience with phases of production, machining, and manufacturing. Advanced working knowledge of manufacturing and fabrication, such as machining centers (CNC), sheet metal, and welding fabrication.

  • Experience in structural design.

  • Experience in electro-mechanical packaging

  • Ability to create schedules for design deliverables and to support design reviews.

  • Ability to work independently and to supervise other designers and drafters in development of original designs, modifications to existing designs, and technical drawings of parts and assemblies.

  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of CAD equipment.

  • Good verbal and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate with vendors and customers.

  • Ability to interact with managers and engineers to solve difficult technical problems and challenges.

  • Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

  • Able to work overtime hours as needed.

  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

  • Must be able to obtain security clearance and pass a drug test.

The hourly pay range for this position is $38.75 - $58.17

  • Works closely with engineers and more senior designers to make drawing corrections and works independently to makes changes in accordance with drawing redlines.  Works directly with engineers and manufacturing personnel to make on-the-fly drawing updates.

  • Must perform independently and in a highly collaborative environment working with multiple project teams. Must be comfortable in environments where scope and requirements change frequently.

  • Checks technical accuracy and completeness of drawings.

  • Independently, prepares CADD solid models at the part, assembly, and concept design level using Dassault Systemes SolidWorks; completes layout and detail drawings, including application of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, for moderately complex equipment or mechanisms.

  • Creates independent, original designs for moderately complex parts and assemblies; interacts with engineering and manufacturing personnel to ensure manufacturability, maintainability, and proper assembly.

  • Prepares engineering drawings, layout, and detailed design of mechanical systems using drafting techniques (SolidWorks or AutoCAD).

  • As required, works independently to select commercial off-the-shelf components (electrical and mechanical) that meet stated performance requirements.

  • Mentor designers and drafters to ensure consistency in design and drawings. Regularly, coordinates work of one or more designers and drafters on a project.

  • Occasionally interfaces with clients.

  • Provides input to engineering lead and/or Program Manager regarding design / drafting resources required for defined scope of work within defined schedule and budgetary constraints.

  • Assists in estimating costs / schedule related to design / drafting tasks for bids and proposals.

  • Participates in Technical Working Groups to provide continuous improvement to OTECH processes. Ensures designs meet quality standards and customer requirements.

  • May recommend design solutions or options to improve cost-effectiveness, manufacturability, and maintainability.

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