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Contract Concept Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Steamroller Animation

NY · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

... on color scripts and concept art. * Independently improve lighting setups, inventing novel ... Contract & Equipment * Status: This is a 1099 Contract position. * Hardware: Artists are ...

Journey

Senior Design Manager

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$95K - $102K/yr

Oversee multidisciplinary design teams (concept artists, CAD technicians, 3D modelers, engineers ... Contract Type: Full-time FTC contract Location : Birmingham Ideal start date: 15 August 2026 ...

Sysco

Region Contract Manager

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

$108K - $156K/yr

The focus is to serve as a concept sales lead or "Lead House" (Lead House is defined as a LCC ... Bachelor's degree in business, Sales, Marketing, Hospitality or Culinary Arts Experience Required ...

Lakeshirts

Production Artist

Detroit Lakes, MN

$17/hr

Create concept visuals tailored to customer needs. * Maintain a comprehensive understanding of ... contract or guarantee of employment. Employee may perform other related duties as needed based on ...

Lakeshirts

Production Artist

Detroit Lakes, MN · On-site

$17/hr

Create concept visuals tailored to customer needs.Maintain a comprehensive understanding of ... contract or guarantee of employment. Employee may perform other related duties as needed based on ...

Lakeshirts

Production Artist

Detroit Lakes, MN · On-site

$17/hr

Create concept visuals tailored to customer needs. * Maintain a comprehensive understanding of ... contract or guarantee of employment. Employee may perform other related duties as needed based on ...

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Contract Concept Artist information

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$120K

$132.8K

$146.5K

How much do contract concept artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract concept artist in the United States is $132,826.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract concept artist?

A Contract Concept Artist is a freelance or temporary artist who creates visual concepts for characters, environments, props, or other assets for games, films, or other media. They typically work on a project-by-project basis, collaborating with art directors and design teams to bring creative visions to life. Unlike full-time employees, contract artists may work remotely or on-site for a set duration. Their responsibilities include sketching, digital painting, and refining designs based on feedback. This role requires strong artistic skills, creativity, and proficiency in industry-standard software like Photoshop or Blender.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities for a contract concept artist?

As a Contract Concept Artist, your daily tasks often include creating initial sketches, refining concepts based on feedback, and producing polished illustrations for use in games, films, or marketing materials. You’ll regularly attend virtual meetings with art directors and other team members to discuss project goals and align your work with the overall visual style. Collaboration and communication are key, as you may need to revise your designs to fit client specifications or project requirements. The role usually involves working on multiple projects simultaneously, requiring good organization and time management to meet deadlines. This dynamic environment offers creative variety and frequent opportunities to expand your professional portfolio.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the contract concept artist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Concept Artist, you need strong illustration skills, creative vision, and a solid portfolio demonstrating your ability to develop original characters, environments, or props. Proficiency with digital art tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, or Sketchbook Pro is standard, and knowledge of 3D modeling software or related certifications can be beneficial. Excellent communication, adaptability, and time management are key soft skills, especially when working remotely with diverse teams and meeting tight deadlines. These competencies are essential for effectively translating a client’s ideas into compelling visual concepts while navigating the demands of project-based work.

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Contract Concept Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Concept Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,826 per year, or $63.9 per hour.

Senior Unreal Lighting Artist (Contract)

Steamroller Animation

NY • On-site

$80 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

About Steamroller Animation

It’s different here. We’re a fun-loving bunch, passionate about our craft. We grow together, learn together, play together, and work on some of the coolest projects on the planet. If you’re looking for a welcoming atmosphere, a culture that’s dedicated to helping you grow and thrive, and ample opportunity to advance, we’d LOVE to hear from you.

About the role

As a Senior Unreal Lighting Artist, you aren’t just placing lights; you are a visual storyteller. You will be responsible for the final look of cinematic sequences, translating mood, atmosphere, and narrative intent into the technical reality of Unreal Engine 5.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who doesn't wait for a list of instructions but instead looks at a shot and asks, "How can I make this look even better?" You will be embedded with our client’s team, collaborating directly with their Lead/Supervising Artist, while representing the high standards of Steamroller Animation.

What you’ll do

  • Craft and execute high-end real-time lighting for cinematic sequences in Unreal Engine 5 with minimal oversight.
  • Use color theory and composition to establish the emotional tone of a scene based on color scripts and concept art.
  • Independently improve lighting setups, inventing novel solutions for shots to ensure visual continuity across sequences.
  • Fine-tune light properties, surface shaders, and post-process volumes (bloom, fog, color grading) to achieve gold-standard visuals.
  • Navigate a shot-based pipeline to deliver high-quality work within tight production deadlines.
  • Work seamlessly within the client’s internal pipeline, maintaining clear communication and a solution-oriented mindset.
  • Ensure lighting setups are optimized for real-time performance without sacrificing visual fidelity.

Qualifications

  • Significant experience as a Lighting Artist in video games or high-end animation (Senior to Upper-Senior level).
  • Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine 5, specifically using Sequencer and Movie Render Queue (MRQ).
  • A mastery of lighting fundamentals, including color theory, value, and composition.
  • Experience with Maya and version control systems like Perforce or GitHub.
  • Ability to take direction from a Lead/Art Director and translate feedback into beautiful visuals.
  • This role is remote but requires significant overlap with USEastern Time (EST) working hours to collaborate effectively with the project team.
Contract & Equipment
  • Status: This is a 1099 Contract position.
  • Hardware: Artists are responsible for providing their own workstation capable of handling high-end Unreal Engine 5 development. Specific hardware requirements will be discussed during the interview process. Any hardware upgrades required for smooth operations and performance are the responsibility of the artist.
Bonus Skills
  • Experience with Blueprints to enhance lighting or environmental effects.
  • Background in live TV, concerts, or virtual production (AR/XR).
  • Experience in a lead or mentor capacity.
  • Knowledge of secondary software like Photoshop or Nuke for LookDev.
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