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Hard Surface Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$80 - $100/hr

Realistic 3D Hard Surface Artist, Middle/Senior Room 8 Studio is Room 8 Group's Art team, delivering world-leading art solutions for game developers and publishers. Our capabilities span concept art ...

$150 - $200/hr

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment ... Working alongside Hard Surface Art Leads, and reporting to the Hard Surface Cosmetics Lead, the ...

Hard Surface Outsource Lead

Cary, NC ยท On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment ... Working alongside Hard Surface Art Leads, and reporting to the Hard Surface Cosmetics Lead, the ...

Senior Character Texture Artist

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$117K - $123K/yr

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... Proven skill in both organic and hard-surface character texturing skin and cloth as well as ...

Senior Character Texture Artist

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$117K - $123K/yr

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... Proven skill in both organic and hard-surface character texturing - skin and cloth as well as ...

Senior Character Texture Artist

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$117K - $123K/yr

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the ... Proven skill in both organic and hard-surface character texturing - skin and cloth as well as ...

Texturing Artist

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA ยท On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Create high-quality PBR textures for organic and hard-surface models * Use ZBrush, Photoshop ... Mentor junior artists on texturing techniques, workflows, and best practices Qualifications ...

Strong proficiency in creating game-ready 3D assets, including hard-surface and organic modelling ... technical artists, and engineers throughout development. Nice to Have * Experience developing ...

Surface Repair Specialist

Bellevue, WA ยท On-site

$23 - $27/hr

Take advantage of an artistic outlet as your work creatively to complete repairs, usually in an ... Pass background check ABOUT SURFACE EXPERTS Surface Experts is a comprehensive hard surface repair ...

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Hard Surface Artist information

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How much do hard surface artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for hard surface artist in the United States is $51.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $38.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a hard surface artist?

A Hard Surface Artist is a 3D artist specializing in creating non-organic models such as vehicles, weapons, machinery, and architectural elements for video games, films, and other media. They use software like Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender to model, texture, and sometimes rig assets. Their focus is on precision, clean topology, and realistic or stylized designs. Hard Surface Artists often collaborate with concept artists and game designers to ensure models fit the project's artistic and technical requirements.

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

To thrive as a Hard Surface Artist, you need strong proficiency in 3D modeling, texturing, and digital sculpting, often backed by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Expertise in industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, and Substance Painter is essential, with some studios valuing certifications in these software packages. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help artists collaborate well with other team members and adapt to project feedback. These skills ensure that artists can create high-quality, realistic models of objects, vehicles, and environments that meet the technical requirements and creative vision of the project.

What are the common challenges faced by hard surface artists in their daily work?

Hard Surface Artists often face challenges such as meeting tight production deadlines while maintaining a high level of detail and accuracy in their models. Adapting to evolving project requirements, integrating feedback from art directors, and ensuring that assets are optimized for performance in real-time engines can also be demanding. Collaboration with other departments, such as animators and technical artists, requires clear communication and flexibility. Staying current with the latest tools and industry trends is essential to remain competitive and efficient in this dynamic field.

What cities are hiring for Hard Surface Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Hard Surface Artist job openings:

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

The most popular types of Hard Surface Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Hard Surface Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Hard Surface Artist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Hard Surface Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,858 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Epic games : Senior Hard Surface Artist, 2026

Festybay

Cary, NC โ€ข On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Epic Games is searching for an exceptionally talented and technically proficient Senior Hard Surface Artist to join our development team working on an unannounced, era-defining project built in collaboration with Disney. Based out of our global headquarters in Cary, North Carolina, this position places you at the epicenter of a historic creative crossโ€‘over, shaping the next generation of digital assets within the expanding Fortnite ecosystem. Epic Games jobs.

In this senior role, you will partner closely with art, design, animation, technical animation, and production teams to build a steady stream of elite, highโ€‘quality mechanical and organic asset content. You will be responsible for bringing complex vehicles, weapons, gadgets, and technical props to life through exceptional highโ€‘andโ€‘low poly modeling, PBR texturing, and masterful artistic execution. Epic Games jobs

Beyond solo asset creation, you will help establish the visual standards and technical benchmarks for hyperโ€‘realistic hard surface content across the entire project pipeline. If you have a passion for flawless mechanical functional design, deep experience with realโ€‘time optimization budgets, and a desire to see your work used by hundreds of millions of players globally, we want you to join our worldโ€‘class team. Epic Games jobs.

Jobs at epic games : Senior Hard Surface Artist

For a quick, comprehensive reference regarding the operational parameters of this open position, please review the core parameters outlined below:

Key Metric Specification & Details

Hiring Company Epic Games

Product Ecosystem Fortnite (Special, Unannounced Project Collaboration with Disney)

Job Title Senior Hard Surface Artist

Location Cary, North Carolina, United States (Onโ€‘site / Hybrid)

Core Department Art & Animation

Primary Asset Focus Weapons, Vehicles, Gadgets, and Complex Mechanical Elements

Secondary Asset Focus Simple to moderately complex organic meshes to support worldโ€‘building

Primary Engine Unreal Engine 5 Ecosystem

Core Toolsets Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Plasticity, ZBrush, and PBR Texturing suites

Crossโ€‘Team Alignment Animation, Tech Animation, VFX, Level Design, and Production

Note: Epic Games strictly adheres to all regional pay equity and transparency regulations. Finalized financial offers are formally detailed during the final stages of the selection process.

Your dayโ€‘toโ€‘day operations as a Senior Hard Surface Artist will blend handsโ€‘on modeling, technical pipeline problemโ€‘solving, and crossโ€‘discipline alignment.

1. Highโ€‘Fidelity Mechanical Asset Modeling
  • Weapon & Vehicle Creation: Model highly detailed, premiumโ€‘quality hard surface assets, including advanced weapons systems, drivable vehicles, complex gadgets, and interactive mechanical set pieces.
  • Functional Articulation: Ensure all mechanical assets are built with logical pivot points, moving parts, and clear paneling to provide robust animation and technical animation support during downstream rigged movement.
  • Hybrid Sculpting: Seamlessly blend hard surface elements with simple to moderately complex organic meshes as needed to support specific gameplay, creature design, or immersive worldโ€‘building constraints.
2. Advanced Texturing & Lookโ€‘Development
  • PBR Material Excellence: Author hyperโ€‘realistic textures and materials utilizing modern Physically Based Rendering (PBR) workflows, focusing heavily on realistic surface wear, edge scratching, metallic properties, and complex material weathering.
  • Concept Translation: Take rough 2D concept sketches or 3D lookโ€‘development kits and translate them into final, productionโ€‘ready inโ€‘game assets without sacrificing the stylistic essence of the original art direction.
3. Technical Pipeline Collaboration & Optimization
  • Crossโ€‘Discipline Syncing: Work in intimate coordination with Gameplay, Animation, Technical Art, and Visual Effects (VFX) teams to ensure all assets fulfill strict functional design and visual requirements.
  • Pipeline Problemโ€‘Solving: Help drive overall quality standards and actively contribute to visual or technical problemโ€‘solving when integrating hard surface meshes into the realโ€‘time engine ecosystem.
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Professional Qualifications

Communication & Synergy: Highly developed collaboration, verbal, and written communication skills, with a native ability to comfortably collaborate across multiple engineering and artistic disciplines simultaneously.

Elite Hard Surface Mastery: Exceptional, productionโ€‘proven hard surface modeling skills with a deep portfolio demonstrating complex mechanical assets explicitly built for modern games or highโ€‘end realโ€‘time environments.

DCC Tool Fluidity: Expertโ€‘level proficiency utilizing industryโ€‘standard 3D software suites, including tools like Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, ZBrush, or specialized CAD modeling platforms like Plasticity.

PBR Texturing Expertise: Outstanding understanding of modern texturing pipelines, texel density requirements, UV layout optimization, and the realistic creation of materials.

Endโ€‘toโ€‘End Asset Delivery: Proven ability to autonomously guide an asset through the entire creation pipelineโ€”from raw conceptual blockโ€‘out to final implementation, bugโ€‘fixing, and technical engine optimization.

Animationโ€‘Ready Design: Demonstrable experience structuring functional mechanical meshes engineered to easily receive bones, joints, and complex rig controls for smooth animation sequences.

Epic Job + Epic Benefits = Epic Life

Epic Games treats our talent as our greatest resource. Our comprehensive benefits program is built to support your health, family, and longโ€‘term wellโ€‘being, covering 100% of insurance premiums for you and your legal dependents:

  • 100% Studioโ€‘Paid Premiums: Zero outโ€‘ofโ€‘pocket deductions from your paycheck for premium Medical, Dental, and a Vision Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
  • Financial Foundations: Peace of mind via comprehensive Longโ€‘Term Disability, generous Life Insurance coverage, and a robust 401(k) plan featuring a highly competitive company match.
  • Holistic Mental Health: Full studio integration with Modern Health, providing completely free, confidential private therapy sessions, mental wellness coaching, and resources for employees and their dependents.
  • Uncapped Recharging: Experience true workโ€‘life balance through our unlimited PTO and sick time policies, enhanced by regular, studioโ€‘wide paid breaks and community milestone events.
  • 7โ€‘Year Sabbatical: We reward loyalty. Employees reaching their 7th year of continuous service with Epic Games unlock a fully paid, extended lifestyle sabbatical.
About Epic Games

Epic Games operates across 25 countries with 46 worldโ€‘class studios and more than 4,500 employees globally. For over 25 years, we have been crafting awardโ€‘winning games and game engine technology that empowers creators to bring 3D environments to life like never before.

Our awardโ€‘winning Unreal Engine technology does not just give game developers the capability to build highโ€‘fidelity interactive experiences across PC, console, mobile, and virtual reality; it is also a vital tool being embraced by forwardโ€‘thinking content creators across a massive array of industriesโ€”including media, film, television entertainment, automotive design, and highโ€‘end architectural visualization.

As we continue to advance our core engine technology and build remarkable new digital game experiences, we strive to construct diverse, inclusive teams of worldโ€‘class global talent. Come be a part of something Epic!

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic Games does not accept any unsolicited resumes or casual approaches from unauthorized thirdโ€‘party placement or recruitment agencies with whom we do not hold a validly executed, negotiated agreement. Epic will not pay any fees to unauthorized third parties.

Jobs at epic games : Senior Hard Surface Artist, 2026
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