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Composite Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ht Visions

VFX Artist

Houston, TX · On-site

$150K - $165K/yr

We are seeking an experienced and highly creative VFX Artist to produce high-quality visual effects ... Composite CGI elements with live-action footage * Develop simulations (smoke, fire, particles ...

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How much do composite artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for composite artist in the United States is $24.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a composite artist do?

A Composite Artist is responsible for combining visual elements from multiple sources into a seamless final image or scene, typically in film, television, or advertising. They use software like Nuke or After Effects to integrate computer-generated imagery (CGI), live-action footage, and special effects. Their work ensures that all elements match in terms of lighting, perspective, and color to create a realistic or stylized final composition.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a composite artist?

To excel as a Composite Artist, you need a solid grasp of art fundamentals, photo manipulation, and visual effects compositing, often supported by a degree in visual arts or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Nuke, and Photoshop is essential, and additional certifications can be advantageous. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication skills help foster collaboration and deliver high-quality visual effects. These skills and qualities are crucial for seamlessly integrating visual elements and meeting production demands in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

What are the typical challenges faced by composite artists during a project?

Composite Artists often encounter challenges such as matching lighting and color across multiple elements, managing tight deadlines, and adapting to last-minute creative changes from supervisors or clients. Working closely with VFX supervisors, 3D artists, and other departments, they must ensure their work remains consistent with the overall visual style and narrative. Additionally, problem-solving skills are needed to overcome technical obstacles like integrating CGI with live-action footage. Successfully addressing these challenges requires both technical expertise and strong collaborative skills, making the role dynamic and creatively rewarding.

How do you become a composite artist?

To become a composite artist, typically one needs a strong background in visual effects, digital imaging, or graphic design, often gained through a relevant degree or training in software like Adobe After Effects, Nuke, or Photoshop. Building a portfolio of work and gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions in film, television, or advertising helps develop the necessary skills. Certifications in visual effects or related software can also enhance job prospects.

How much does a composite artist make?

A composite artist's salary varies based on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $40,000 to $80,000 annually. Experienced professionals with advanced skills in visual effects and compositing software like Adobe After Effects or Nuke tend to earn higher wages, especially in film, television, or advertising environments.
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Composite Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Composite Artist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 55% Full Time, 44% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,263 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Composite Design Engineer, Experienced

Mojave, CA • On-site

Scaled Composites
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Scaled Compositesexternal

$95K - $219K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 18 hours ago

Key responsibilities

  • Develops structural concepts, defines detailed requirements, and designs composite aircraft structures such as wings, fuselage, empennage, or cabin.

  • Performs stress analysis, laminate analysis, and structural sizing to ensure designs meet high-level requirements.

  • Creates detailed 3D/2D definitions of parts, assemblies, and installations, and generates fabrication and assembly instructions.

Job description

What You’ll Do:

It’s in the name, Scaled Composites. For a variety of reasons, Scaled typically builds our airplanes out of composite materials. And the skillset to design structures out of composites is unique. But then again, so are we. The work of this role typically starts with an outer mold line (OML) and a set of high level requirements. From there, the composite design engineer develops a structural concept, defines detailed requirements, and sets about designing and analyzing a structure that meets the needs of the airplane. While there will be a fair share of brackets and door handles, this role will typically own a significant chunk of the structure required of the program. This will vary based on size and complexity, but responsibility for the wing, fuselage, empennage, cabin, or even all of the above is likely.

We are looking to add experienced composites design engineers to our team. Ideally, these candidates would have the capability and drive to evolve into leadership positions in rather quick fashion. If you’ve worked on composite aircraft structures in depth, and can bring a significant body of knowledge and abilities on day one, please consider applying!

Category: Engineering

Location: Mojave, CA

Citizenship Required: United States Citizenship

Clearance Type: None

Schedule: 9/80 Work Schedule

Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance may be available

Benefits: 100% Paid Benefits and 401k Matching 


About Scaled

Founded by visionary aircraft designer Burt Rutan, Scaled Composites has been in the business of Designing, Building, and Flying unique airplanes and spacecraft for over 40 years. We are a modestly sized company, constantly building small teams of empowered and capable employees to achieve extraordinary accomplishments in aerospace. From the farthest (Global Flyer), to the largest (Stratolaunch), to the highest (SpaceShipOne, Proteus), and many in between, Scaled’s track record of innovation has pushed against and expanded some of the most stubborn corners of the flight envelope. 

We honor that legacy today by doing what we’ve always done - seeking out the hardest problems in aerospace and having fun while solving them. With an average of a new design first flight for every year of our existence, there is no better place to practice the arts and science of new aircraft development than here at Scaled.

Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Performing conceptual design, structural layout, sizing, and detailed design 
  • Generating detailed fabrication and assembly work instructions 
  • Conducting stress analysis utilizing classical methods and performing laminate analysis and sizing for structural components
  • Providing hands-on manufacturing and assembly support 
  • Contributing to ground and flight test planning, execution, and aircraft modifications 
  • Demonstrating proficiency in understanding and designing primary and secondary load paths 
  • Creating comprehensive 3D/2D definitions of parts, assemblies, and installations 
  • Establishing manufacturing tolerances using GD&T principles 
  • Actively participating in Engineering definition reviews, approvals, and release processes
  • Supporting the review of manufacturing plans and procedures 
  • Assisting in the creation of structural test plans 
  • A commitment to continuous learning, encompassing a readiness to acquire any necessary skills and knowledge essential to effectively support the program
  • Mentoring other early-career engineers based on personal experience and domain knowledge

Required Qualifications:  

  • 5+ years of relevant composite aircraft structure design experience
  • Foundational knowledge of aircraft load paths, structural sizing, and composite manufacturing / assembly
  • Strong understanding of the theory and practical application of composite structures and their application to aircraft
  • Proficiency in 3D Computer Aided Design
  • Great verbal and written communication skills
  • Great interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
  • Ability to work in isolation with minimal supervision as well as on large teams
  • Ability to work in multiple engineering disciplines on an aggressive schedule
  • Bachelor of Science in a relevant engineering discipline or substantial equivalent experience
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Prior experience in leading and managing teams of engineers
  • Proficiency in Siemens NX, CATIA V5, SolidWorks
  • Proficiency in FEMAP or other finite element analysis software
  • GD&T experience and knowledge of ASME Y14.5M-1994
  • Prior rapid prototyping experience
  • Hands-on design and build experience
  • Aerospace experience (work history, pilot’s license, experimental aircraft building, etc.)
  • DoD Clearance

Essential Job Functions: 

  • Requires mobility and the ability to bend and reach 
  • May infrequently require lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling materials (Ground Power Units, fuel bowsers, small aircraft) with a force up to 30 pounds 
  • Manual dexterity and coordination are required; repetitive hand motion (e.g., to operate computer keyboard, test equipment, aircraft avionics) 
  • Vision at close distances and the ability to adjust focus for prolonged periods (i.e., computer screen, flight displays)
  • Ability to remain sedentary or stationary for prolonged periods of time 
  • Ability to write for extended periods of time 
  • Ability to work in an office setting for prolonged periods of time
  • May be asked to carry up to 20 lbs. up and down a flight of stairs on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, test hardware, etc. 
  • Occasional reaching overhead and lifting up to 15 pounds
  • Ability to converse and communicate information with others
  • Occasional exposure to chemical vapors and/or fumes in low non-hazardous concentration
  • Potential to climb up and down steps on a daily basis
  • Must be able to read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

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