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Character Modeling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Character Artist (Unreal Engine)

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$112.10K - $117.70K/yr

Sculpt, model, retopologize, UV, texture, and implement character clothing assets for real-time gameplay in Unreal Engine 5 * Collaborate closely with character art, concept art, animation, and ...

Costume Character - Legoland Discovery Center Arizona Got the magic to create unforgettable, joy ... Workplace- Children are our role models. Their curiosity, creativity and imagination inspire ...

What you'll bring to the team Costume Character - Legoland Discovery Center Dallas ✨ Got the ... Benefits Workplace - Children are our role models. Their curiosity, creativity and imagination ...

3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124.40K - $130.60K/yr

... modeling, sculpting and texturing expertise from scratch or scan data based on concept art ... Skilled in realistic character creation, including sculpting, texturing, hair grooming, shading and ...

3D Character Artist (Mid-Senior) thatgamecompany is looking for a Mid-Senior 3D Character Artist to ... Proficient modeling skills in Maya or equivalent * Self-motivated, humble, and a team player * Open ...

$112K - $117.50K/yr

This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms. How We ...

3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124.40K - $130.60K/yr

... modeling, sculpting and texturing expertise from scratch or scan data based on concept art ... Skilled in realistic character creation, including sculpting, texturing, hair grooming, shading and ...

Senior 3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124.40K - $130.60K/yr

... modeling, sculpting and texturing expertise from scratch or scan data based on concept art. * Pass ... Mastery of realistic character creation, including sculpting, texturing, hair grooming, shading and ...

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123.90K - $130K/yr

This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms. How We ...

What you'll bring to the team Costume Character - Legoland Discovery Center Arizona ✨ Got the ... Workplace - Children are our role models. Their curiosity, creativity and imagination inspire ...

Senior 3D Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$124.40K - $130.60K/yr

... modeling, sculpting and texturing expertise from scratch or scan data based on concept art. * Pass ... Mastery of realistic character creation, including sculpting, texturing, hair grooming, shading and ...

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Character Modeling information

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$10

$19

$37

How much do character modeling jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for character modeling in the United States is $19.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Character Modeler, you need expertise in digital sculpting, anatomy, texturing, and 3D modeling, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio of work. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter, as well as familiarity with game engines like Unreal or Unity, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you interpret artistic direction and collaborate effectively with other team members. These skills ensure the creation of high-quality, visually compelling characters that meet project requirements and contribute to immersive digital experiences.

What are some common challenges character modelers face when working on large team projects?

Character modelers often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistency in style and scale across different artists' work, integrating feedback from art directors, and ensuring that models meet technical requirements for animation and game engines. Collaboration and communication are key, as modelers must regularly sync with riggers, animators, and texture artists to ensure the character assets fit seamlessly into the project's pipeline. Staying organized and adaptable helps in managing revisions and meeting tight production deadlines.

What is character modeling?

Character modeling is the process of creating 3D digital representations of characters for use in video games, movies, animation, and other digital media. Artists use specialized software, such as Blender, Maya, or ZBrush, to sculpt, shape, and detail the character's form, including their anatomy, clothing, and accessories. The goal is to create visually appealing and realistic or stylized characters that can be animated and integrated into various digital projects. Character modelers need a strong understanding of anatomy, artistic principles, and technical skills to bring characters to life.

What is the difference between Character Modeling vs Character Rigging?

AspectCharacter ModelingCharacter Rigging
Primary FocusCreating the 3D character's shape, details, and surfaceBuilding the skeleton and controls to animate the character
Required SkillsModeling, topology, texturingSkeleton setup, weight painting, control systems
Work Environment3D modeling software (e.g., Maya, Blender)Rigging tools within 3D software, collaboration with modelers and animators
Industry UsageUsed in character creation for games, films, animationUsed in preparing characters for animation and movement

Character Modeling and Character Rigging are both essential roles in the 3D character creation pipeline. Modeling focuses on shaping and detailing the character's appearance, while rigging involves creating the underlying skeleton and controls for animation. Both require specialized skills and often work closely together to produce a fully functional animated character.

More about Character Modeling jobs
What cities are hiring for Character Modeling jobs? Cities with the most Character Modeling job openings:
What states have the most Character Modeling jobs? States with the most job openings for Character Modeling jobs include:
Infographic showing various Character Modeling job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,680 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
Character Artist (Unreal Engine)

Character Artist (Unreal Engine)

Kavaliro

Jacksonville, FL • On-site

$112.10K - $117.70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Kavaliro is seeking a talented Mid-Level Character Artist for our game studio client with a strong focus on clothing creation and character customization to join their development team working in Unreal Engine 5. In this role, you'll help bring characters to life by creating high-quality apparel, gear, and character assets that support a visually rich and immersive game world. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of character pipelines, cloth workflows, and real-time optimization, along with a passion for creating believable and stylish wearable assets for modern games.
Responsibilities

  • Create high-quality character assets with a strong emphasis on clothing, armor, wearable gear, and layered apparel systems
  • Sculpt, model, retopologize, UV, texture, and implement character clothing assets for real-time gameplay in Unreal Engine 5
  • Collaborate closely with character art, concept art, animation, and technical art teams to ensure visual consistency and functionality
  • Develop clothing assets that support character customization, modular systems, and multiple body types
  • Author realistic and stylized materials, fabric details, surface wear, and texture variation
  • Work with rigging and animation teams to ensure clothing deforms properly during gameplay and cinematics
  • Assist with cloth simulation setup, optimization, and troubleshooting for in-game performance
  • Maintain clean asset organization and follow established art pipelines, naming conventions, and technical standards
  • Optimize character and clothing assets for performance while maintaining high visual fidelity
  • Participate in reviews, feedback sessions, and iterative development processes
Qualifications
  • 3+ years of professional experience as a Character Artist in the game industry
  • Strong portfolio demonstrating character art and clothing creation for real-time games
  • Experience creating clothing assets for modern game engines, preferably Unreal Engine 5
  • Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as ZBrush, Marvelous Designer, Maya, Blender, and Substance 3D Painter
  • Strong understanding of anatomy, garment construction, fabric behavior, and silhouette design
  • Experience with topology optimization and real-time asset constraints
  • Familiarity with PBR workflows, material creation, and texture authoring
  • Understanding of rigging considerations, skinning, and cloth simulation workflows
  • Ability to receive and implement artistic and technical feedback effectively
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
Nice to Have
  • Experience building modular character systems or cosmetic customization pipelines
  • Familiarity with Chaos Cloth or other cloth simulation systems in Unreal Engine 5
  • Experience working on open-world, RPG, survival, or multiplayer titles
  • Knowledge of hair workflows, accessories, or hard-surface character props
  • Experience with scan data, photogrammetry, or realistic character pipelines
  • Familiarity with technical art workflows, shader setup, or material optimization
Kavaliro provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Kavaliro is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Kavaliro will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please respond to this posting to connect with a company representative.