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Lead Texture Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Converts artwork files into CGI textures with a focus on accurate digital colour matching within ... Interacts with the CGI Production Lead to escalate issues. Continuous Improvement * Seeks ways to ...

Create memory-efficient texture assets using programs like Adobe Photoshop, Substance Designer ... Work closely with the Technical Art Director and Lead Artist to understand and, if necessary ...

Create memory-efficient texture assets using programs like Adobe Photoshop, Substance Designer ... Work closely with the Technical Art Director and Lead Artist to understand and, if necessary ...

Staff Environment Artist

Seattle, WA · Remote

$150K - $170K/yr

We're looking for an experienced Environment Artist to lead environment art on our flagship project ... Build modular environment palette, shaders, and textures * Own scene assembly, composition ...

Principal Technical Artist

Seattle, WA

$144K - $173K/yr

Bring modern techniques into content creation: gaussian splat scene reconstruction, neural texture ... We're not asking you to manage people, but we expect you to lead by example on the craft side. Your ...

Principal Technical Artist

Seattle, WA · On-site +1

$144K - $173K/yr

Bring modern techniques into content creation: gaussian splat scene reconstruction, neural texture ... We're not asking you to manage people, but we expect you to lead by example on the craft side. Your ...

Principal Technical Artist

Seattle, WA · Remote

$130K - $155K/yr

Bring modern techniques into content creation: gaussian splat scene reconstruction, neural texture ... We're not asking you to manage people, but we expect you to lead by example on the craft side. Your ...

Staff Environment Artist

Seattle, WA · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

We're looking for an experienced Environment Artist to lead environment art on our flagship project ... Build modular environment palette, shaders, and textures * Own scene assembly, composition ...

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Lead Texture Artist information

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$10

$25

$72

How much do lead texture artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead texture artist in the United States is $25.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Lead Texture Artist vs Texture Artist?

AspectLead Texture ArtistTexture Artist
ResponsibilitiesOversees texturing team, sets standards, reviews workCreates textures for models, follows project guidelines
ExperienceTypically 5+ years, leadership skills required2-4 years experience, strong technical skills
Work EnvironmentCollaborative, team-oriented, often in a studioIndividual or team-based, in a studio or remote
CredentialsPortfolio, relevant industry experience, sometimes leadership trainingPortfolio, technical skills, relevant certifications

The main difference between a Lead Texture Artist and a Texture Artist lies in their responsibilities and experience level. The Lead Texture Artist manages the texturing team and ensures quality standards, while the Texture Artist focuses on creating textures under project guidance. Both roles require strong technical skills and industry experience, but the lead position involves leadership and oversight duties.

What is the highest paid art job?

In the art industry, roles such as lead concept artists, art directors, and senior visual effects supervisors tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and proficiency with industry-standard tools like Photoshop and Maya. Compensation varies by industry, location, and company size but can reach six-figure salaries for top-level professionals.

How much do texture artists get paid?

Texture artists typically earn between $50,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior or specialized texture artists with advanced skills in tools like Substance Painter or Photoshop can earn higher salaries, especially in competitive markets or larger studios.

What is the salary of a 3D texture artist?

A Lead Texture Artist's salary typically ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior roles with advanced skills in software like Substance Painter or Mari tend to be at the higher end of this range.

What is a Lead Texture Artist?

A Lead Texture Artist is a senior role in the visual effects, animation, or gaming industry responsible for overseeing the creation of textures that give 3D models their detailed and realistic appearance. They supervise a team of texture artists, set visual standards, and collaborate with other departments to ensure consistency and quality in texturing work. In addition to hands-on texturing, Lead Texture Artists often mentor junior artists, manage workflow, and contribute to the development of new techniques and tools. Their expertise helps bring digital environments and characters to life, making them essential to the production pipeline.

How does a Lead Texture Artist typically collaborate with other departments during a game or film production?

As a Lead Texture Artist, collaboration is key to ensuring visual cohesion across the project. You’ll regularly work with modelers, lighting artists, and art directors to align on texture requirements, material consistency, and the overall artistic vision. Communication with technical teams is also essential to optimize textures for performance and compatibility. This collaborative environment helps ensure that the final assets not only look great but also function seamlessly within the production pipeline.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Texture Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Texture Artist, you need expertise in digital painting, texture creation, and a solid understanding of color theory and real-world material properties, often backed by a degree in art or design and a strong portfolio. Mastery of industry-standard tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Substance Painter, and 3D modeling software like Maya or Blender is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills help guide teams, provide constructive feedback, and collaborate effectively across departments. These skills ensure the creation of visually compelling assets and maintain consistency and quality throughout the production pipeline.

What does a lead artist do?

A lead texture artist oversees the creation and application of textures for 3D models in a project, ensuring visual consistency and quality. They coordinate with other artists, review work, and often use tools like Substance Painter or Photoshop, while guiding the team to meet project deadlines and artistic standards.
More about Lead Texture Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Lead Texture Artist jobs? Cities with the most Lead Texture Artist job openings:

CGI Artist

Toppan

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

TOPPAN Packaging Americas specializes in designing and manufacturing sustainable, high-performance flexible and thermoformed packaging solutions for the food, beverage, medical and consumer goods industries. We offer products like transparent high barrier films, pouches, clamshells and trays, utilizing advanced technology to enhance product safety, visibility and environmental sustainability.
TOPPAN Packaging Americas operates as part of the global TOPPAN group, with 22 manufacturing facilities across North America, Latin America and Europe.
Want to learn more? Visit us at packaging.toppan.com
Summary Description:
As a division of TOPPAN Packaging Americas - Trident create digital packaging assets for some of the most recognisable brands in the world. Our dynamic, innovative team works with FMCG brands to prepare packaging artworks for mass print production. A digitally focused company, we continuously strive to stay at the forefront of our field, designing and developing our own cutting-edge technologies and powerful systems. This ensures that we are constantly driving our business forward and offering our customers the highest quality service, whether this is retouching media ready for print or crafting a 3D image for E-
commerce sites.
The Senior Artist CGI is responsible for producing CGI assets (static and animated) to customer specification.
What you'll be doing:
CGI Production
  • Performs pre-flight checks on received artwork and CGI deliverables.
  • Converts artwork files into CGI textures with a focus on accurate digital colour matching within accepted tolerance.
  • Builds complex static CGI product packaging masters across all structural types at an advanced level.
  • Creates accurate hard and organic surface models utilizing a range of references (Physical Samples/CAD Data/3D Scan Data).
  • Creates material textures to achieve photorealistic representations of substrates in CGI.
  • Creates photorealistic lighting within the CGI software to enhance the look and feel of a CGI asset (highlights & shadows).
  • Retouches images when client approval/costs are agreed.
  • Builds complex moving/animated CGI assets at an advanced level.
  • Uses the 3D Scanner to produce highly detailed scans for modelling/retopology.

Coaching & Development
  • Guides, advises and mentors less experienced members of the team.
  • Advocates CGI standard working practices across the team.
  • Identifies and discusses issues with relevant team members.

Project Management
  • Represents the CGI production team in the planning of projects.
  • Interacts with the CGI Production Lead to escalate issues.

Continuous Improvement
  • Seeks ways to optimize process to improve quality and delivery.
  • Promotes best practice and continuous improvement within the team.
  • Leads and supports with production initiatives.
  • Participates in root cause and corrective action investigations.

Client Interaction
  • Delivers customer demonstrations.
  • Participates in client meetings.

Contacts:
  • Interacts across teams with multiple disciplines at all levels, collaborating on projects, making recommendations to influence change, giving guidance using their knowledge and expertise.
  • External client interaction in support of our Client Service team.

Level of Responsibility:
  • Is expected to work autonomously.
  • Has no direct reports however informally supports others.

Decision-Making Authority:
  • Makes recommendations on process, performance and business improvements working with CGI Production Lead and CGI Global Subject Matter Expert.

Physical and Sensory Demands:
  • Extensive DSE (Display Screen Equipment) use.
  • Extensive periods of concentration and attention to detail.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting with opportunity to take breaks when required.

Working Environment:
  • Office working environment.
  • Some requirements for flexibility in hours to meet our client and business needs.

This is a HYBRID position located out of Cincinnati OH Office
We'd love to hear from you if:
  • Strong understanding of CGI modelling workflow and geometry.
  • Strong understanding of creating photo realistic materials (bump maps, displacement maps & normal maps).
  • Strong understanding of UV Mapping.
  • Strong working knowledge of industry-standard CGI software including 3DS Max, Modo, VRay.
  • Strong working knowledge of industry-standard artwork production software including Illustrator & Photoshop.
  • Experience with post-production software such as After Effects, Nuke & Real Flow.
  • Experience in delivering rendered assets utilizing CGI software only (no post production).
  • Excellent creativity skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent understanding of composition, photo realism, colour, texture and lighting.
  • A good understanding of photography.
  • Communication skills particularly listening, verbal and written.
  • Ability to build relationships at all levels.
  • Team working skills.
  • Ability to plan, prioritise and organise.
  • Time Management skills to respond to a dynamic work environment.
  • Coaching skills.
  • Proactive problem solving.
  • Decision making skills.
  • Higher Education Qualification in CGI Discipline (e.g BA Games Design)

At TOPPAN Packaging Americas, We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support our employees' overall wellbeing. This includes competitive pay, robust benefits, and programs that help you thrive both personally and professionally. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary based on your work location, employment classification, or collective bargaining agreement
Benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
  • Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
  • Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
We are committed to providing a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute to their fullest potential. We also provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment processes. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.