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Freelance Hard Surface Modeler Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Hard Surface Outsource Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Working alongside Hard Surface Art Leads, and reporting to the Hard Surface Cosmetics Lead, the ... Clearly communicating modeling and paint feedback to the outsource partner, and ensuring those ...

Swaybox Studios

CG Modeler

New Orleans, LA · On-site

Highly skilled in hard surface and soft surface modeling as well as UV work. * Ability to model both stylized and realistic environments with attention to storytelling detail. * Deep understanding of ...

InfiniteEdge

3D Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$95K - $107K/yr

Build high-quality hard-surface models (watches, boxes, packaging, product details); organic modeling and sculpting is a plus * Animate objects with a strong grasp of animation principles across both ...

Swaybox Studios

CG Modeler

New Orleans, LA · On-site

Highly skilled in hard surface and soft surface modeling as well as UV work. * Ability to model both stylized and realistic environments with attention to storytelling detail. * Deep understanding of ...

LF Studios

Animatronic Digital Designer

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

Performing hard and soft surface modeling within ZBrush. Requirements: * Applicant must have experience with product development and design, 3D modeling, and design thinking. * Experience with ZBrush ...

Collabera

Graphics Technician

Rapid City, SD · On-site

Job duties include, but not limited to, 3D Hard Surface Modeling, 3D model optimization, Texture creation, UV Mapping, Rigging, Animating, and Rendering. He /She should be knowing any 3DS knowledge.

HCLTech

3D Graphic Designer

Hoboken, NJ · On-site

Experience creating both organic and hard-surface models . * Strong understanding of: * 3D modeling and sculpting * UV mapping and texturing workflows * Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials

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How much do freelance hard surface modeler jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance hard surface modeler in the United States is $40.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.25 and $43.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance hard surface modeler?

A Freelance Hard Surface Modeler is a 3D artist who specializes in creating digital models of inanimate, mechanical objects such as vehicles, weapons, robots, and architecture. Unlike organic modelers who focus on living creatures, hard surface modelers use software like Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max to design detailed, precise assets for industries such as video games, film, and product visualization. As freelancers, they work independently, often on a project-by-project basis for various clients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance hard surface modeler?

To thrive as a Freelance Hard Surface Modeler, you need strong 3D modeling skills, a solid understanding of form and structure, and often a relevant degree or portfolio demonstrating your work. Mastery of industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, or ZBrush is essential, along with familiarity with rendering engines and file formats. Attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating with clients and meeting project requirements. These skills ensure you can deliver precise, high-quality models that meet client expectations and sustain a successful freelance business.

How do freelance hard surface modelers typically collaborate with clients and other team members during a project?

Freelance hard surface modelers often work remotely and maintain communication with clients and team members through project management tools, emails, and video calls. They usually receive detailed briefs, feedback, and updates digitally, making responsiveness and clear communication essential to success. Collaboration may involve sharing progress via cloud-based platforms, participating in virtual meetings for revisions, and adjusting models based on feedback from concept artists, animators, or technical directors. Building strong relationships and maintaining an organized workflow are key to ensuring smooth project delivery and repeat business.

What cities are hiring for Freelance Hard Surface Modeler jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Hard Surface Modeler job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Hard Surface Modeler jobs?

The most popular types of Hard Surface Modeler jobs are:

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Freelance Hard Surface Modeler jobs near you

Hard Surface Outsource Lead

Cary, NC • On-site

Epic Games
PC Games • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Epic Gamesexternal

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
ART
What We Do
Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is searching for an experienced Hard Surface Outsourcing Lead to support and supervise creative hard surface content provided by outsource partners. Working alongside Hard Surface Art Leads, and reporting to the Hard Surface Cosmetics Lead, the Outsource Lead will provide front-line creative feedback for work submitted for Fortnite. Though the role will be mainly supervisory, the individual should be an experienced artist, having worked in AAA titles before, and have a solid hands-on art background, with a very strong foundation of 3D modeling for both hard and soft surfaces. The ideal candidate would be a talented 3D artist who is able to communicate equally effectively, both with outsource partners and internal teams, to ensure the timely delivery of high quality assets to the next stage in the art pipeline. Their skills will include; a keen artistic eye for 'clean' 3D modelling, documenting existing pipelines, creating blockouts, paintovers and exemplar assets and, ultimately, providing clear visual feedback to vendors at each stage of the process.
In this role, you will
  • Work closely with the HS Cosmetics Lead and HS Art Leads to pull together clear creative direction for the assets to be created, and then ensure this information is packaged and conveyed to the Vendor as clearly as possible. Work with Directors, Production, and internal partners to evaluate, hire, and onboard vendors
  • Collect or generate detailed documentation, video reference, and examples of art asset production, procedures, and engine requirements to support the external vendors
  • If required, making any needed fixes to keep assets consistent and technically game ready as they're handed off from the outsource partner
  • Clearly communicating modeling and paint feedback to the outsource partner, and ensuring those creative notes and goals are met. Informing leadership in the event that isn't happening
  • Communicating and partnering with the HS implementation team ensuring outsourced assets are ingested into the pipeline and engine correctly
  • When required, some amount of hands-on art production delivering assets for the project, ensuring they are familiar with and capable of working inside of the Epic pipeline
  • Bug support, triage, and resolution for any art assets that have been created by the outsourcing team
What we're looking for
  • Experience in shipping AAA titles across multiple platforms
  • Experienced shipping 3D production assets for games in either character, weapon, or prop disciplines
  • Experienced in game art asset creation in a variety of software packages including Maya, 3ds Max, Zbrush, Photoshop, Substance, etc
  • Experience in modeling, creating UV's and texturing is essential
  • Must be highly organized, self-driven, customer focused, and a great team player
  • Must be a clear and concise communicator, able to deliver complex creative feedback across external vendor locations
  • Experienced working within a team and a high pressure production environment
  • You're user-focused, passionate, solutions-focused, and innovative
  • A PLUS - Fluency in languages other than English, including Chinese, German, Spanish, Italian, or Russian
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

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