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Internship 3D Rigging Artist Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Internship 3D Rigging Artist information

See Pittsburgh, PA salary details

$5

$12

$18

How much do internship 3d rigging artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship 3d rigging artist in Pittsburgh, PA is $12.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.20 and $13.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship 3D rigging artist?

Internship 3D Rigging Artists are entry-level professionals or students who assist in creating and setting up the skeletal structures of 3D models, enabling them to move realistically in animations, films, or video games. They work under the guidance of senior rigging artists and collaborate with animators, modelers, and technical directors. Interns gain hands-on experience with industry-standard rigging software, such as Autodesk Maya or Blender, and help troubleshoot rigging issues while learning the fundamentals of character setup and deformation.

What kind of projects and tasks can an internship 3D rigging artist expect to work on during their internship?

As an Internship 3D Rigging Artist, you can expect to assist in creating and refining character and object rigs that animators will use in production. Typical tasks include setting up skeletal structures, skinning models, and troubleshooting rigging issues under the guidance of senior artists. You may also help with scripting simple rigging tools or templates to streamline workflow. Interns often collaborate closely with modeling, animation, and technical art teams, gaining exposure to various stages of the production pipeline and valuable feedback to develop industry-standard skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship 3D rigging artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship 3D Rigging Artist, you need a foundational understanding of 3D modeling, anatomy, and rigging principles, often supported by coursework or a portfolio in digital art or animation. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya or Blender, and basic scripting knowledge (Python or MEL) are commonly required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with animators and technical artists. These competencies ensure rigs are both functional and artist-friendly, enabling smooth character animation in production environments.

What is the difference between Internship 3D Rigging Artist vs Junior 3D Rigging Artist?

AspectInternship 3D Rigging ArtistJunior 3D Rigging Artist
CredentialsEnrolled in or recent graduate of relevant programCompleted education or equivalent experience
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focusedProfessional studio or team, production-focused
Employer UsageTraining and skill developmentContributing to ongoing projects
Search IntentEntry-level, learning opportunitiesJob seeking, career advancement

The main difference is that an Internship 3D Rigging Artist is a learning position aimed at gaining experience, while a Junior 3D Rigging Artist is a paid role with more responsibilities and expectations in a professional environment.

What are popular job titles related to Internship 3D Rigging Artist jobs in Pittsburgh, PA?

For Internship 3D Rigging Artist jobs in Pittsburgh, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Internship 3D Rigging Artist jobs in Pittsburgh, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship 3D Rigging Artist jobs in Pittsburgh, PA are:

What cities near Pittsburgh, PA are hiring for Internship 3D Rigging Artist jobs?

Cities near Pittsburgh, PA with the most Internship 3D Rigging Artist job openings:

Infographic showing various Internship 3D Rigging Artist job openings in Pittsburgh, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 16% Temporary. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $26,283 per year, or $12.6 per hour.

Design Intern - Winter / Spring 2027

Deeplocal

Pittsburgh, PA

$20 - $29/hr

Internship

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Deeplocal is looking for a 3D Design Intern with a focus on spatial, industrial, and experience design to join the team for the winter/spring term 2027 (typically January-April).

Deeplocal pushes the boundaries of interactive experiences for some of the world's top brands. Design interns work alongside experience designers, creative marketing strategists, and technologists to develop and refine creative concepts. Our interns contribute to the artistic vision of real-world physical experiences, environments, and exhibits through hands-on learning and application of their skills, with mentorship from top professionals in the field. 

Design interns collaboratively support the creation of spatial experiences that tell a strategic story and look visually-stunning all while meeting the client's goals. This typically looks like:

  • 3D Modeling & Visualization - Rapidly translate concepts into high-fidelity 3D models and renderings that communicate the look, feel, and scale of a project.
  • Physical + Interaction Design - Work with the creative team members and creative technologists to design spatial interactions, environments, and physical objects (from early sketches to full visual models and detailed interaction design).
  • Concept Visualization - Communicate abstract concepts with compelling visuals and demonstrate strong physical and visual design skills-through sketches and/or renderings.
  • Pitch/RFP Support - Support the pitch and RFP response process with secondary research, deck design, sketching, modeling, and mood board development. 
  • Visual Design - Prepare finish material sample boards, physical models, and graphic presentations for client approval. Create, and iterate, original designs (print, environmental, etc.) based on internal direction.
  • Digital Design (UX / UI / Motion Design) - Digital design is secondary to 3D skills but the ability to prototype and design using 2D/3D animation, interaction design, and visual effects is a big plus!

To provide our interns with a fully immersive experience, all internships are in person at our Pittsburgh, PA studio.

Desired Skills

  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills are a must
  • Proficient in a 3D modeling software (SketchUp, Rhino, or Fusion preferred) & rendering software
  • Experience designing spatial interactions, environments, and physical objects
  • Experience expressing creative ideas through mockups, mood boards, styleframes, and motion prototypes.
  • Interest in a combination of strategy and design, developing a holistic narrative vision for a space
  • An awareness of current aesthetic, cultural, and popular trends
  • A strong understanding of marketing and experience crafting concepts in response to creative marketing briefs is strongly preferred

The anticipated hourly rate for this role is $20-$29. Final compensation will be based on the candidate's experience, skills, and current year of study.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the interview process, please email us at hr@deeplocal.com

About Deeplocal

Deeplocal is an internationally-recognized innovation studio based in Pittsburgh, PA. Our team includes experts in marketing, engineering, design, and fabrication who collaborate to develop never-seen-before physical experiences for brand clients.

Deeplocal has been behind some of advertising's most talked about campaigns: the Netflix Switch, Google Photos Pay With A Photo, and the Nike Chalkbot. From creating a mind-controlled bike that allowed riders to shift with their thoughts, to building a robotic pitching machine that allowed a child to throw out the first pitch at a baseball game from thousands of miles away, to a single button that dims the lights, orders food, silencers your phone and puts on your favorite show, our projects are wide-ranging and unique. Our work has been featured on Fast Company, Wired, NYTimes, USA Today, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Gizmodo, Engadget, Forbes, and many more.

Deeplocal's studio is located in a renovated brewery loft space in Sharpsburg, PA-just outside of Pittsburgh and within a few minutes of Lawrenceville. All team members at Deeplocal contribute and participate in work for our amazing roster of clients.

Our Mission

Invent products and experiences for innovative brands.

Our Purpose

To be a place where amazing talent can invent, create and inspire.

Our Core Values

Deeplocal is committed to maintaining the company's core values and culture as the company grows. Employees should exhibit the following Deeplocal core values:

  • Inventive
  • Impactful
  • Resourceful
  • Humble
  • Efficient

Deeplocal is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.