ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Surfacing Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Senior Concept Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

$117K - $140K/yr

ART What We Do Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment ... hard surface, vehicles, organic environments, and stylized design * Proficiency in Photoshop ...

AGBO

Asset Artist (Remote)

Los Angeles, CA · Remote

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded 3D artist with strong skills in modeling, surfacing, layout, and optimization, and a deep understanding of real-time production pipelines. You should be ...

Moonlake AI

Technical Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$149K - $179K/yr

The Role We're looking for a Technical Artist / 3D Generalist who can create high-quality ... Strong 3D modeling skills across hard-surface, environment, and object creation * Ability to create ...

Epoch Games

3D Game Artist

Winston Salem, NC · On-site

SO). We are looking for 3D Artists skilled in creating hard-surface or sculpted assets, as well as the ability to texture them. Communication is key to a smooth and efficient pipeline. You must be ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSurfacing Artist Jobs

Surfacing Artist information

See salary details

$13

$51

$190

How much do surfacing artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for surfacing artist in the United States is $51.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.91 and $38.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Surfacing Artist?

A Surfacing Artist is a professional in the animation, visual effects, or video game industries responsible for creating the textures, materials, and finishes that define the look and feel of 3D models. They apply color, patterns, and surface qualities to characters, environments, and props, ensuring they appear realistic or stylized as required by the project. Surfacing Artists work closely with modelers, lighting artists, and art directors to achieve the desired visual outcome. Their work is crucial for making digital assets look believable and appealing on screen.

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

To thrive as a Surfacing Artist, you need a solid understanding of texture painting, shading, and material definition, usually supported by a degree in art, animation, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and rendering engines like Arnold or RenderMan is typically required. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and collaboration skills help artists produce visually compelling surfaces that match the project's artistic vision. These skills ensure assets look realistic or stylistically appropriate, directly impacting the quality and believability of digital environments and characters.

What is the difference between Surfacing Artist vs Texture Artist?

AspectSurfacing ArtistTexture Artist
CredentialsTypically requires a background in 3D modeling, texturing, and digital art, often with a focus on surfacing techniquesRequires skills in texturing, shading, and material creation, often with similar software knowledge
Work EnvironmentWorks primarily in 3D modeling and rendering pipelines within game or film studiosWorks in digital art and texturing departments, often collaborating closely with modeling and lighting teams
Industry UsageCommonly used in game development, film, and animation for creating detailed surface qualitiesUsed across similar industries for adding surface detail and realism to models

While both roles involve creating surface details for 3D assets, Surfacing Artists focus on defining the look and feel of surfaces, including materials and finishes, whereas Texture Artists primarily apply textures to models to add detail and realism. Both roles require similar skills and often overlap, but their specific focus areas differ within the pipeline.

What are some common challenges Surfacing Artists face when ensuring visual consistency across different assets?

Surfacing Artists often work on multiple assets that need to look cohesive within a project’s visual style, which can be challenging due to varying lighting conditions, asset types, and technical limitations. Achieving consistent textures and materials requires close collaboration with modelers, lighting artists, and art directors, as well as a strong understanding of the project’s shaders and rendering pipeline. Staying organized and maintaining clear documentation of texture maps and naming conventions helps streamline the process and minimize inconsistencies.
More about Surfacing Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Surfacing Artist jobs? Cities with the most Surfacing Artist job openings:
What states have the most Surfacing Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Surfacing Artist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Surfacing Artist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Surfacing Artist jobs are:
Surfacing Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Surfacing Artist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 52% Full Time, 43% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,858 per year, or $51.4 per hour.
Environment Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Environment Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Nintendo

Austin, TX • On-site

Contractor

Medical, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Nintendo rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

93rd of 186 rated software companies

Job description

THIS IS AN ONSITE CONTRACT POSITION - Austin, TX
Position includes:
  • Paid weekly
  • Health care benefits available
  • Paid time-off provided
  • Paid holidays observed
  • Access to Nintendo discounts

RETRO STUDIOS:
Founded in 1998, Retro Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd., and a powerhouse in game development. Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge platforms, blending innovation, artistry, and gameplay excellence.
Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning natural scenery, and forward-thinking culture. With year-round sunshine and endless options for outdoor adventures, Austin offers the perfect backdrop for world-class developers to stay inspired, balanced, and at the top of their game.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
  • Create compelling environments, props, models and textures in engine for Switch 2.
  • Modeling and texturing high fidelity assets utilizing Zbrush, Maya, Substance Suite and various other tools.
  • Utilizing kits for environment creation and planning out kit needs.
  • Constructing organic and hard surface environments in proprietary software that meets quality standards.
  • Create compelling environments with an emphasis on environmental storytelling. Standard world building/set dressing of environments.
  • Work closely with art direction and leads to capture desired goals of look and play space.
  • Work within performance constraints. Strong technical ability to manage assets to fit poly counts, draw call limits, texture memory, gameplay space.
  • Takes ownership of environmental assets and scene layout while encouraging collaboration across multiple disciplines to achieve high quality, innovative environment art

*This job description outlines primary duties and requirements and is not intended to identify all tasks that may be performed; individuals occupying the position may be required to perform other duties. The company may modify job duties from time to time, either in practice or in writing.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
  • Portfolio that demonstrates strong environment art executed in game.
  • Comfortable receiving and giving constructive criticism and making artistic adjustments.
  • Understanding of scale, proportion, attention to detail and composition is a must.
  • Ability to texture and execute in game assets is a must.
  • Proficiency in organic and hard surface modeling.
  • At least 4 years' experience working as an environment artist in game development.
  • AAA game development experience.
  • Driven to learn and develop new methods and techniques for creating game art.
  • Advanced knowledge of Maya, Substance Suite, Zbrush and PBR pipeline.
  • Thrives working in a collaborative development environment.

SPECIAL NOTE - This role requires a strong portfolio that focuses on environmental creation. We will accept intermediate to senior applicants.
Retro Studios is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment in service to one another, our products, the diverse consumers we represent, and the communities we call home. We do all of this with kindness, empathy, and respect for each other.

Apply