2

Remote Hard Surface Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept ... Artistic Skills : * Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency. * Ability to adapt to and ...

Senior Artist

$130K - $155K/yr

We believe in rewarding your hard work with profit-sharing, 401(k) matching, great benefits, and ... remote role. The ideal candidate is a highly versatile game artist with experience creating and ...

Licensed Line Artist

Detroit Lakes, MN ยท Remote

$50K - $60K/yr

Open to onsite or remote. To be considered for remote, you must reside in one of the following ... We work hard to be the best and we seek only committed individuals that will help move our company ...

Who We Are UnitedMasters is building a marketplace that connects artists, brands and fans ... Lead critical product surfaces including onboarding, distribution tools, subscription areas ...

VP, Engineering

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$212K - $273K/yr

Who We Are UnitedMasters is building a marketplace that connects artists, brands and fans ... Lead critical product surfaces including onboarding, distribution tools, subscription areas ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Remote Hard Surface Artist information

See salary details

$10

$28

$55

How much do remote hard surface artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote hard surface artist in the United States is $28.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $42.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote hard surface artist?

A Remote Hard Surface Artist is a digital artist who specializes in creating non-organic 3D models, such as vehicles, weapons, machinery, and architectural elements, for use in video games, movies, and other digital media, while working remotely from any location. Their work focuses on hard, defined surfaces rather than organic forms like characters or creatures. These artists use 3D modeling software, such as Blender, Maya, or 3ds Max, to design, texture, and render detailed assets. Being remote, they collaborate with teams online, manage their own schedules, and communicate progress virtually.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote hard surface artist?

To thrive as a Remote Hard Surface Artist, you need strong skills in 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering, often backed by a degree in art, design, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, and Substance Painter, along with experience in project management systems, is essential. Attention to detail, self-motivation, effective communication, and time management are standout soft skills for remote collaboration. These skills ensure high-quality asset creation, adherence to project timelines, and successful teamwork in a distributed work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by remote hard surface artists, and how can they be addressed?

Remote Hard Surface Artists often face challenges such as communicating design changes with team members across different time zones, managing large file transfers, and maintaining consistent workflow with limited in-person feedback. To address these issues, it's important to establish clear communication channels, use collaborative tools like version control software, and schedule regular check-ins with your team. Staying organized and documenting your work process also helps ensure that your models align with project requirements and deadlines.

What is the difference between Remote Hard Surface Artist vs Remote Character Artist?

AspectRemote Hard Surface ArtistRemote Character Artist
Required SkillsModeling, texturing hard surface assets like vehicles, machineryModeling, texturing organic and character assets
Work EnvironmentRemote, primarily digital art and 3D modelingRemote, focus on character creation and anatomy
Industry UsageVideo games, film, product designVideo games, film, animation
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Remote Hard Surface Artist and a Remote Character Artist lies in their focus areas. Hard Surface Artists specialize in creating mechanical and inorganic assets, while Character Artists focus on organic, character-based models. Both roles require strong 3D modeling skills and are commonly found in the gaming and film industries, often working remotely.

More about Remote Hard Surface Artist jobs

What cities are hiring for Remote Hard Surface Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Remote Hard Surface Artist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Hard Surface Artist jobs?

The most popular types of Hard Surface Artist jobs are:

What states have the most Remote Hard Surface Artist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Remote Hard Surface Artist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Remote Hard Surface Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,432 per year, or $28.6 per hour.

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

side

Charleston, SC โ€ข Remote

$123K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

About This Opportunity

Please note, this listing is not for an immediate open position but for our Talent Pool for Co-Development Roles. By applying, you express interest in being considered for future project-based opportunities that align with your skills and experience.

These opportunities are contingent on client needs and project availability. As projects are initiated or client proposals are developed, we will review candidates from this pool and contact those who most closely align with the specific requirements of the co-development opportunity.

As a 3D Character Artist, you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring life and personality to our projects. This mid-level generalist role focuses on modeling, texturing, and optimizing character assets across a variety of styles for AAA-quality games on PC, console, mobile, and VR/AR platforms.

How We Keep You Engaged

We maintain strong relationships with our talent pool by providing regular updates, industry insights, and information on upcoming opportunities. We will check in to confirm your availability and interest.

Our hiring teams carefully vet and select top candidates who best meet project needs, ensuring that you are matched with the right opportunity when it becomes available.

Next Steps

If you are passionate about contributing to cutting-edge projects and want to be considered for future co-development opportunities, we encourage you to apply to this listing. While there may not be an immediate opening, your application ensures that you will be part of our ongoing talent review for upcoming roles.

Key Responsibilities

  • Create high-quality 3D character assets, including organic and hard surface elements, from concept to final game-ready models.
  • Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project’s artistic vision and technical requirements.
  • Develop textures and materials using industry-standard tools, ensuring assets are optimized for performance across platforms.
  • Work within established pipelines and workflows to maintain consistency and efficiency in asset creation.
  • Ensure proper topology, rigging, and skinning for characters to meet animation and gameplay requirements.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to character development.
  • Actively participate in team critiques, offering and receiving feedback to refine assets.

Requirements

Experience:

    • 3+ years of experience as a Character Artist in the video game industry.
    • Demonstrated contribution to at least one shipped title on PC, console, mobile, or VR/AR.

Technical Skills:

    • Proficiency with ZBrush, Maya, 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and other industry-standard tools.
    • Strong understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they relate to character design and animation.
    • Experience with high- and low-poly modeling, texturing, and shading techniques.
    • Knowledge of proper topology, rigging, and skinning practices.

Artistic Skills:

    • Strong eye for detail, form, and style consistency.
    • Ability to adapt to and create a range of visual styles, from realistic to stylized.

Collaboration Skills:

    • Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
    • Ability to incorporate feedback and iterate effectively.

Passion for Gaming: Genuine enthusiasm for creating compelling characters and contributing to immersive game worlds.

Preferred Skills

  • Familiarity with Marvelous Designer for clothing design and simulation.
  • Experience with photogrammetry and procedural workflows.
  • Knowledge of Unreal Engine or Unity for integrating character assets into the game.

Note: Specific requirements may vary depending on project needs.

Benefits

About Side
Side (formerly PTW) is a global video game development and services provider, offering technical and creative solutions to many of the largest developers and studios around the world. Founded in 2009 and drawing on 30+ years' experience from our parent company in Japan, Side has since grown to become a global force with 20 studios in 14 countries across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.

Our industry-leading services include game development, art production, audio production, quality assurance, localization, localization QA, player support, community management, and datasets.

Experience our side of life. For more information, visit www.side.inc