2

Entry Level Visual Development Artist Jobs in Cary, NC

Design, build, and maintain shaders that balance visual fidelity with real-time performance ... Strong hands-on shader development experience (HLSL/GLSL, node-based shader graphs, or engine ...

Design, build, and maintain shaders that balance visual fidelity with real-time performance ... Strong hands-on shader development experience (HLSL/GLSL, node-based shader graphs, or engine ...

Lead Technical Artist

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$100 - $170/hr

Design, build, and maintain shaders that balance visual fidelity with realโ€‘time performance ... Strong handsโ€‘on shader development experience (HLSL/GLSL, nodeโ€‘based shader graphs, or ...

Design, build, and maintain shaders that balance visual fidelity with real-time performance ... Strong hands-on shader development experience (HLSL/GLSL, node-based shader graphs, or engine ...

Audio Visual Designer Engineer

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$65 - $130/hr

We have developed a collaborative and lively working environment, where the best and the brightest ... AV systems (not entry-level--bring your signal flow skills)Strong experience creating AV ...

Production Associate, Takeoff

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$14.50 - $18.50/hr

You will coordinate graphic design work, review designs for accuracy and visual style, and create ... Both entry-level and experienced candidates are encouraged to apply. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

... Arts, Design and Technology with a focus on Visual Effects for Interactive Media and Virtual Production (Games Design and Development, Virtual and Mixed Reality, 2D and 3D animation, kinetic and ...

Participate in training sessions and professional development opportunities provided by the museum ... Interest in visual arts, museums, education, or public engagement. * Ability to learn new ...

Production Associate, Takeoff

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$14.50 - $18.50/hr

Both entry-level and experienced candidates are encouraged to apply. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING ... Review new print designs for accuracy and visual appeal * Review edits to existing print designs ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Visual Development Artist information

See Cary, NC salary details

$33.8K

$99.9K

$141.3K

How much do entry level visual development artist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level visual development artist in Cary, NC is $99,893.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,000.00 and $140,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level visual development artist?

Entry Level Visual Development Artists are creative professionals who help establish the look and feel of animated films, video games, or other visual media projects. They create concept art, mood boards, character and environment designs, and color scripts under the guidance of senior artists and art directors. At the entry level, these artists are typically recent graduates or those new to the industry, focusing on learning studio workflows and contributing to the early visual explorations that shape the final product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level visual development artist?

To thrive as an Entry Level Visual Development Artist, you need strong foundational skills in drawing, color theory, and composition, often supported by a degree or coursework in illustration, animation, or a related field. Familiarity with digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, and knowledge of industry-standard workflows are typically expected. Creativity, openness to feedback, and effective collaboration make someone stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for creating visually compelling concepts that align with the creative vision and production needs of animation or game studios.

What are some typical challenges faced by entry level visual development artists in a studio setting?

Entry level visual development artists often face challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing project requirements, meeting tight deadlines, and ensuring their work aligns with the established visual style of the project. Collaboration is key, as artists frequently work with art directors, animators, and other team members to iterate on designs and incorporate feedback. Building strong communication skills and developing the ability to accept and implement critiques can help new artists succeed and grow within a studio environment.

What is the difference between Entry Level Visual Development Artist vs Entry Level Concept Artist?

AspectEntry Level Visual Development ArtistEntry Level Concept Artist
CredentialsPortfolio, basic art skills, possibly a degree in art or related fieldPortfolio, strong drawing skills, often a degree in art or design
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, film productionVideo game studios, animation, film pre-production
Industry UsageUsed in animation, gaming, film to develop visual styleUsed in gaming, film to create initial character and environment concepts

Both roles involve creating visual assets, but the Visual Development Artist focuses on establishing the overall look and style, while the Concept Artist specializes in designing characters and environments during early project phases. Entry Level Visual Development Artists often work closely with concept artists but have a broader scope in visual style development.

How much does an entry level visual development artist make?

Entry level visual development artists typically earn between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on location, company, and portfolio quality. Starting salaries may be lower in some regions, but with skills in digital painting, concept art, and tools like Photoshop or SketchUp, new artists can increase their earning potential as they gain experience.

What do you need to be an entry level visual development artist?

To become an entry-level visual development artist, you typically need a strong portfolio showcasing your artistic skills, proficiency in digital art tools such as Photoshop or SketchUp, and a foundational understanding of color, composition, and design principles. A relevant degree in art, illustration, or a related field is often preferred, along with good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a creative environment.

What does an entry level visual development artist do?

An entry level visual development artist creates concept art, character designs, and environment sketches to establish the visual style of a project. They collaborate with art directors and use tools like Photoshop or other digital painting software to develop ideas for animation, games, or films. This role often involves learning industry workflows and refining artistic skills through practice and feedback.

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Cary, NC?

For Entry Level Visual Development Artist jobs in Cary, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Visual Development Artist job openings in Cary, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, 55% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,893 per year, or $48 per hour.

Lead Technical Artist

AGBO

Raleigh, NC โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

About the Company:
Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the future of film and television. The Russo Brothers and AGBO have generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, including Avengers: Endgame. The studio's projects include Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, Netflix hits The Gray Man and Extraction, and Prime Video's visceral thriller The Bluff and the global Citadel franchise. Citadel Season 2 premieres in May 2026.

AGBO is currently in production with Netflix on Tygo and Mercenary, both part of the Extraction universe, as well as with Lionsgate on John Rambo, a prequel to the iconic franchise. The studio is in post-production on The Whisper Man, starring Robert De Niro, and Avengers: Doomsday, which will be released December 18, 2026. AGBO will begin shooting Avengers: Secret Wars later this year. Both upcoming Avengers films are directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and co-produced by AGBO and Marvel Studios.

In 2023, AGBO welcomed Donald Mustard-former Chief Creative Officer at Epic Games and co-creator of Fortnite-as a partner. Mustard brings a bold creative vision to AGBO: to expand what storytelling can be through immersive, interconnected worlds that span across media. We're building the future of storytelling-and we're looking for bold, creative minds to help shape it. If you're ready to help define what comes next, we'd love to meet you.

Position Summary:
AGBO is looking for a Lead Technical Artist to join our Interactive team. This is a generalist hands on leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of art and engineering - equally comfortable troubleshooting a shader, optimizing a character rig, refining lighting set up or building the tools that make an entire art team faster and more effective. You will set technical direction, and establish best practice.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Serve as the lead of the Technical Artist team, providing mentorship, code/workflow review, and day-to-day guidance to other technical artists
  • Work across multiple disciplines - lighting, character, environment, VFX and animation - providing generalist technical art support wherever it's needed
  • Design, build, and maintain shaders that balance visual fidelity with real-time performance
  • Develop and maintain custom tools and pipelines (DCC plugins, in-engine editor tools, asset validation/ automation) that improves artist workflows and production efficiency
  • Partner closely with engineering, art direction, and production to define technical standards, budgets, and best practices across disciplines
  • Diagnose and resolve technical artist issues related to rigging, shading, lighting, and asset optimization
  • Own the technical art pipeline end-to-end, identifying bottlenecks and proactively building solutions before they become blockers
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with art, engineering, and production leads to ensure technical feasibility
  • Perform all other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Skills:

  • Proven experience as as Technical Artist with a generalist background spanning lighting, character, and environment art ; Prior lead experience strongly preferred
  • Strong hands-on shader development experience (HLSL/GLSL, node-based shader graphs, or engine-specific shader languages)
  • Demonstrated experience building custom tools and pipelines to support art workflows
  • Deep familiarity with Unreal Engine and standard DCC tools (Maya, Blender, Houdini, Substance, ZBrush, etc.)
  • Solid understanding of rigging, character setup, lighting workflows, and environment/asset optimization for real-time rendering
  • Experience leading or mentoring a team of technical artists with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
  • A problem-solving mindset with the ability to move fluidly between hands-on production work and high-level pipeline/tooling strategy
  • Passion for interactive storytelling and a strong eye for visual quality balanced with technical performance.

Additional Information:

  • Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

AGBO Labs LLC is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We aim to recruit the right people for the jobs we have to offer, and to assess applications on the basis of relevant skills, education and experience.
AGBO participates in E-Verify - English | Spanish

The job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent to this position.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

AGBO logo

About AGBO

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2020

Social media