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Hard Surface Modeling 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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.

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 ...

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Hard Surface Modeling information

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How much do hard surface modeling jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for hard surface modeling 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 hard surface modeling?

Hard surface modeling is a 3D modeling technique focused on creating non-organic objects with defined edges and mechanical features, such as vehicles, weapons, buildings, and machinery. Unlike organic modeling, which deals with natural forms like characters or animals, hard surface modeling requires precision and attention to detail to accurately depict man-made structures. Artists utilize specialized software to build, texture, and refine these digital assets for use in industries like video games, film, and product visualization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hard surface modeler, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hard Surface Modeler, you need a strong grasp of 3D modeling principles, spatial awareness, and experience with geometry optimization, often supported by a portfolio and relevant education or training. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, and experience with tools like ZBrush or Substance Painter is typically required. Attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with artists and meeting design specifications. Mastery of these skills ensures the creation of high-quality, production-ready models that meet visual and technical standards in industries like gaming, film, and product design.

What are some common challenges faced by hard surface modelers when working on large-scale projects, and how can they be addressed?

Hard surface modelers often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistency in scale and detail across complex assets, optimizing models for performance, and adhering to tight deadlines. Effective collaboration with concept artists and technical teams is essential to ensure that models meet both creative and technical requirements. Utilizing modular workflows, version control systems, and regular feedback sessions can help address these challenges and streamline the modeling process.

What is the difference between Hard Surface Modeling vs 3D Modeler?

AspectHard Surface Modeling3D Modeler
CredentialsOften requires proficiency in CAD software, 3D modeling tools, and industry-specific skillsTypically needs general 3D modeling skills, portfolio, and sometimes certifications in modeling software
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in design studios, game development, film, and product visualizationIn various industries including gaming, film, advertising, and product design
Industry UsageCommonly used in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and entertainmentUsed across multiple creative and technical fields

Hard Surface Modeling focuses on creating precise, mechanical, and architectural models, often requiring technical skills and CAD knowledge. 3D Modeler is a broader role that encompasses various styles of modeling across multiple industries. While both roles involve 3D software, Hard Surface Modeling is specialized in hard, mechanical objects, whereas 3D Modelers may work on characters, environments, or objects of all types.

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Hard Surface Modeling jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hard Surface Modeling job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $83,896 per year, or $40.3 per hour.

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 15 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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