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Maya 3D Modeling Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... Maya and Unity. * While this is a remote position, it's desired to attend occasional in person critical meetings. REQUIREMENTS * 5+ years of 3D game experience. * Modeling, texturing, lighting ...

... Maya and Unity. * While this is a remote position, it's desired to attend occasional in person critical meetings. REQUIREMENTS * 5+ years of 3D game experience. * Modeling, texturing, lighting ...

Pipeline Engineer (Graphics/3D)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$164K - $203K/yr

Fei-Fei Li, Justin Johnson and Ben Mildenhall, the company is pioneering world models that perceive ... Hands-on experience with DCC tools such as Blender, Maya, Houdini, Unreal, or Unity . * Familiarity ...

Pipeline Engineer (Graphics/3D)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$164K - $203K/yr

Fei-Fei Li, Justin Johnson and Ben Mildenhall, the company is pioneering world models that perceive ... Hands-on experience with DCC tools such as Blender, Maya, Houdini, Unreal, or Unity . * Familiarity ...

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.) * 3D Modeling software (Solidworks, Fusion 360, Alias, Blender, Maya, or equivalent) * Rendering software (KeyShot, VRed, or equivalent ...

Showing results 21-40

Maya 3D Modeling information

What is a Maya 3D modeling?

A Maya 3D Modeling job involves creating 3D assets, characters, environments, and objects using Autodesk Maya. Professionals in this role work in industries like gaming, film, animation, and virtual production. They use modeling techniques such as polygonal modeling, NURBS, and sculpting to build detailed and optimized models. Additionally, they may collaborate with animators, texture artists, and game developers to ensure assets are functional and visually appealing. Strong knowledge of topology, UV mapping, and texturing is often required.

What does a typical day look like for someone working in Maya 3D modeling?

A typical day for a Maya 3D Modeler involves interpreting concept art or design briefs to create 3D assets, collaborating closely with animators, texture artists, and other members of the production team. Modelers often participate in daily check-ins or review meetings to receive feedback, update their progress, and refine their work according to project needs. Tasks may involve building or optimizing models for efficiency, UV mapping, and incorporating revisions based on art direction. The work environment can range from large studios to remote team settings, and strong communication is key for ensuring that models fit seamlessly into the overall workflow.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Maya 3D modeling position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Maya 3D Modeling, you need proficiency in 3D modeling techniques, a solid understanding of form and texture, and experience working within Maya software, often supported by a degree or coursework in computer graphics or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop, ZBrush, and sometimes relevant certifications are highly valuable. Collaboration, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving are important soft skills for producing high-quality models and meeting project goals. These skills ensure effective production of visually compelling assets that align with project requirements and tight deadlines in industries such as film, animation, and gaming.

What are the most commonly searched types of Maya 3D Modeling jobs in California?

The most popular types of Maya 3D Modeling jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Maya 3D Modeling jobs in California?

For Maya 3D Modeling jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Maya 3D Modeling jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Maya 3D Modeling jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Maya 3D Modeling jobs?

Cities in California with the most Maya 3D Modeling job openings:

Infographic showing various Maya 3D Modeling job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Principal 3D Generalist

Jam City

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$75K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the hunt for innovators who consider themselves dynamic, collaborative and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
PERKS & BENEFITS
Unlimited Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Kin Care & Holidays*
100% Covered Medical and Company-Sponsored Dental & Vision (Plans Vary)*
Life Insurance, 401k, Flexible Spending Accounts, & More*
Wellness Activities & Programs
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave*
Happy Hours
Company Events
*Only applies to full-time positions.
We are looking for a Principal 3D Generalist to work on a brand new game at the Jam City Narrative Game division. As a generalist, you are a jack of all trades. You are an artist with a strong technical background. Problem solving is your passion. You are able to provide art solutions outside of the wheelhouse of a regular artist, with an understanding of the whole art pipeline that provides a unique perspective. You are able to fit within any 3D art department and help out and bring an asset to full completion. You are independent and can run with little info.
**In order to be considered, you MUST provide us with either a link to an online portfolio, website or a pdf showcasing recent artwork upon application.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Create beautiful and efficient 3D characters, props and environments.
  • Light environment scenes, both real time and pre-baked.
  • Create shaders in Unity and Maya.
  • Occasionally rig and skin props and characters.
  • Foresee technical issues with concept designs.
  • Establish art pipelines for new features and types of assets.
  • Write comprehensive documentation on best practises.
  • Work closely with the 3D Art Director on a daily basis.
  • Collaborate with the Tech Art and Engineering on art implementation ideas and issues.
  • Troubleshoot visual issues in Maya and Unity.
  • While this is a remote position, it's desired to attend occasional in person critical meetings.

REQUIREMENTS
  • 5+ years of 3D game experience.
  • Modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, skinning and shader development experience.
  • Must have worked on at least two 3D games from conception to completion, one of them on mobile.
  • Complete mastery of Maya and Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Excellent knowledge of Unity.
  • Experience with ZBrush.
  • Familiar with Substance painter and designer.
  • Excellent at lighting, with real time lighting experience and mastery in light baking processes.
  • Ability to work in a broad range of subjects and styles.
  • Firm grasp of both Environment and Character art process.
  • Good understanding of human and animal anatomy.
  • Perfect understanding of composition, color, value, and form as it relates to both classic art and gameplay visuals.
  • Must understand 3D pipeline and process as it relates to game development and have experience partnering with other game team disciplines such as engineering and design.
  • Excellent problem-solving ability.
  • Art Degree or similar working experience.
  • Be comfortable working on-site 5x week.

NICE TO HAVE
  • Strong 2D concept and illustration skills.
  • Scripting experience in Maya (Mel or Python).

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation for this role. The range listed is just one component of Jam City's total compensation package for employees, which may also include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, certifications, location, business needs, or market demands. This range is based on a full-time position. This range may be modified in the future. In addition, Jam City provides a variety of benefits to employees, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, parental leave, paid time off, a 401(k) plan, life, disability, and accident insurance. Pay Range: $75,000 - $120,000 salary per year.
CHECK OUT LIFE AS A JAM CITIZEN:
- Company news and events on our LinkedIn
- Company Blog
- Employee Feedback on our Comparably page
- Find videos on our teams and games on our Youtube
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
We believe in creating games that unite people across the world and that showcase our commitment to providing an environment that is both inclusive and diverse for our players and employees. We strive to create a workforce that is reflective of our global player community as we know that we are stronger and better when we play together. To help promote an inclusive culture, we celebrate the visible and invisible diversity of our Jam Citizens through initiatives including Employee Resource Groups, cultural events, trainings, speaker series, and more.
Jam City is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, religion, ethnicity, marital, or domestic partnerships status, disability, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws. Our management is committed to following this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruiting, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
ABOUT JAM CITY
Jam City is a leading entertainment studio with a proven track record of creating some of the world's most beloved casual puzzle and story-driven mobile games. As the creative force behind fan-favorite, award-winning titles such as Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Cookie Jam and Panda Pop, Jam City develops engaging and dynamic games that become an enduring part of our players' lives. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles with a global network of studios and talent. For more information, please visit www.jamcity.com.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.