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Low Poly 3D Artist Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Senior Environment Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

... low poly baking process, utilizing tileable textures, trim sheets, and unique unwraps, and ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment ... Hands-on with at least one 3D package (Maya, 3ds Max, or Blender) and the Substance suite * Working ...

Low Poly 3D Artist information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$19

$38

$66

How much do low poly 3d artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for low poly 3d artist in Raleigh, NC is $38.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.39 and $47.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a low poly 3d artist?

Low Poly 3D Artists are digital artists who specialize in creating 3D models with a minimal number of polygons, typically for use in video games, virtual reality, and mobile applications. Their work focuses on optimizing models to be visually appealing while ensuring they run efficiently on limited hardware. Low Poly 3D Artists often use techniques such as texture baking and normal mapping to add visual detail without increasing polygon count. This role requires a strong understanding of 3D modeling software and the ability to balance aesthetics with performance.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a low poly 3d artist?

To thrive as a Low Poly 3D Artist, you need a strong grasp of 3D modeling principles, art fundamentals, and experience with relevant software like Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max, often supported by a portfolio showcasing your work. Proficiency with texture mapping, UV unwrapping, and optimization techniques, as well as familiarity with real-time engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with teams and bring stylized visuals to life. Mastery of these skills ensures efficient asset creation, visual consistency, and successful integration into interactive or game environments.

What are common challenges faced by low poly 3d artists in game development?

Low Poly 3D Artists often face the challenge of balancing visual appeal with technical constraints, such as polygon count and texture size, to ensure optimal game performance. Collaborating closely with game designers and developers, they must adjust their models to fit gameplay requirements while maintaining an efficient workflow. Additionally, they need to ensure their assets are compatible with different game engines and platforms, which may require adapting to various technical specifications. Effective communication and adaptability are crucial in overcoming these challenges and delivering high-quality assets on time.

What is the difference between Low Poly 3D Artist vs 3D Modeler?

AspectLow Poly 3D Artist3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating low polygon 3D models optimized for real-time applications like gamesCreating detailed 3D models for various purposes, including film, animation, and visualization
Skills & ToolsKnowledge of polygon reduction, UV mapping, texturing, and game engine integrationProficiency in modeling software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, with focus on detailed modeling techniques
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in game development, VR/AR, and real-time rendering industriesUsed across gaming, film, product design, and architectural visualization

While both roles involve 3D modeling, a Low Poly 3D Artist specializes in creating optimized models for real-time applications, whereas a 3D Modeler often focuses on detailed, high-resolution models for various media. The roles overlap in skills but differ in purpose and output.

Are low poly 3D artists in high demand?

Low poly 3D artists are in steady demand within the gaming, mobile app, and virtual reality industries, where optimized models are essential for performance. Skills in software like Blender or Maya and understanding of real-time rendering increase employability, especially as demand for mobile and indie games grows.

How much money does a low poly 3D artist make?

A low poly 3D artist's salary varies based on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $40,000 to $80,000 annually. Entry-level artists may earn less, while experienced professionals with strong skills in software like Blender or Maya can earn higher salaries or freelance rates.

What are popular job titles related to Low Poly 3D Artist jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Low Poly 3D Artist jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Low Poly 3D Artist jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Low Poly 3D Artist jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Low Poly 3D Artist jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Low Poly 3D Artist job openings:

Infographic showing various Low Poly 3D Artist job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $79,779 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

Senior Environment Artist

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 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 looking for experienced Senior Environment Artists to help build several initiatives as part of our collaboration with Disney. Our Senior Environment Artists are highly talented, creative, and versatile individuals who build the aesthetically groundbreaking and technically advanced environments used in our games. In this role, you will work directly with a world-class art team to help create exciting and compelling environments and own points of interest that will invite the player to discover and explore.
In this role, you will
  • Taking basic game designs and concept art, utilizing Unreal Engine, and bringing new points of interest to life, by collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, as an environment art point of contact
  • As an environment art point of contact you will work closely with Leads and Production to ensure a high-quality delivery of work through tasking and prioritizing deliverables, driving creative conversation with your level design partner, and maintaining clear and open lines of communication
  • Working in pre-production by contributing to ideation, building prototypes for both environmental sets and environmental gameplay needs - helping to ensure team success throughout the upcoming production cycle
  • Building and texturing assets, namely focused on architectural and thematic sets, that Level Design will use to dress the environments
  • Being an expert in 3D asset creation in DCC tools, such as 3DS Max, Maya, Blender, ZBrush. Strong knowledge of baking and texturing tools, such as Marmoset, Substance Painter and Designer, in order to develop assets in a high-to-low poly baking process, utilizing tileable textures, trim sheets, and unique unwraps, and displacement map creation
  • Strong understanding of performance restraints, and developing for multiple platforms
  • Providing mentorship to other Environment Artists, and making the team around them stronger through individual guidance, tutorial and documentation creation, and leading by example through setting and raising our high bar of quality and timeliness
What we're looking for
  • At minimum, 5 years of professional experience in the video game industry building environments and assets for shipped titles
  • At minimum, 3 shipped titles which exhibit AAA game quality art
  • Online portfolio of previous professional and personal work
  • Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
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.