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Technical Artist Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Turtle Rock Studios

UI Technical Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

UI Technical Artist At Turtle Rock, we make the games we want to play. We're dedicated to providing a collaborative environment where our team members feel empowered with the creative freedom to ...

Turtle Rock Studios

UI Technical Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

The UI Technical Artist bridges the gap between design and engineering, ensuring seamless, visually polished, and performant UI experiences. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with ...

Turtle Rock Studios

UI Technical Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

The UI Technical Artist bridges the gap between design and engineering, ensuring seamless, visually polished, and performant UI experiences. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Senior UI Artist

Irvine, CA

$105K - $150K/yr

Balance visual quality, technical constraints and production realities * Mentor other UI artists through feedback, collaboration, and best practices * Participate in playtests and iteration cycles to ...

Turtle Rock Studios

Senior UI Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

$105K - $150K/yr

Balance visual quality, technical constraints and production realities * Mentor other UI artists through feedback, collaboration, and best practices * Participate in playtests and iteration cycles to ...

iHerb

Motion Graphics Artist

Irvine, CA · On-site

Job Summary: A Motion Graphic Artist responsible for creating engaging, brand-driven animations ... Ability to identify creative and technical opportunities to elevate visual storytelling Equipment ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsTechnical Artist JobsTechnical Artist Jobs in Riverside, CA

Technical Artist information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$99.6K

$144.7K

$160.1K

How much do technical artist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for technical artist in Riverside, CA is $144,715.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $132,500.00 and $158,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Technical Artist vs 3D Artist?

AspectTechnical Artist3D Artist
Required SkillsProgramming, scripting, shader development, technical problem-solvingModeling, texturing, sculpting, artistic creativity
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with artists and programmers in game/animation studiosFocuses on creating visual assets, often in art or game development teams
Common Industry UsageUsed in game development, animation, and VFX industriesPrimarily in game design, animation, and visual effects

The main difference between a Technical Artist and a 3D Artist lies in their focus areas. Technical Artists combine artistic skills with technical expertise to bridge the gap between art and programming, ensuring assets are optimized and functional. 3D Artists concentrate on creating high-quality visual assets through modeling and texturing. Both roles are essential in creative industries, but they serve different purposes within a project.

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

To thrive as a Technical Artist, you need a blend of artistic ability, 3D modeling, and scripting skills, often supported by a degree in computer graphics, game design, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Maya, 3ds Max, Unreal Engine, Unity, and scripting languages like Python or MEL is typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills help Technical Artists bridge the gap between artists and programmers. These competencies ensure efficient workflows, high-quality visual assets, and smooth integration of art and technology in creative projects.

What does a technical artist do?

A technical artist bridges the gap between artists and programmers in a development team, ensuring that art assets are optimized for performance and integrated correctly into the game or application. They often work with tools like Maya, Blender, or Unity, and possess skills in scripting, shader creation, and pipeline development to improve workflow efficiency.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the field of technical artistry, senior roles such as Lead Technical Artist or Technical Director in large gaming or animation studios can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and profit sharing. High-level executives or specialized consultants in tech-related industries may also earn this level of compensation, often requiring extensive experience, advanced skills in tools like Maya or Unreal Engine, and leadership responsibilities.

How do Technical Artists typically collaborate with both artists and engineers on a game development team?

Technical Artists act as a crucial bridge between the art and engineering teams. They translate artistic vision into technically feasible assets by optimizing models, creating efficient shaders, and developing tools that streamline workflows. Daily, they may troubleshoot asset integration issues, advise artists on best practices for performance, and work with engineers to ensure compatibility with the game engine. This collaborative approach ensures that visuals are both high-quality and optimized for real-time performance.

What is a Technical Artist?

A Technical Artist is a professional who acts as a bridge between artists and programmers in the video game or digital content creation industries. They ensure that art assets can be easily integrated into a game engine without sacrificing either visual quality or performance. Technical Artists often create tools, optimize workflows, and solve technical problems related to graphics, shaders, and visual effects. Their role is crucial in streamlining the production pipeline and enabling both creative and technical teams to collaborate effectively.

How can I become a technical artist?

To become a technical artist, you typically need a strong foundation in art and design, combined with technical skills in programming, scripting, and 3D software such as Maya, Blender, or Unreal Engine. A bachelor's degree in computer graphics, game design, or a related field is common, along with experience in shader development, rigging, and pipeline integration. Building a portfolio that demonstrates both artistic ability and technical proficiency is essential for entry into the field.

How much do technical artists earn?

Technical artists typically earn between $60,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior technical artists with specialized skills in scripting, shading, and tools development tend to earn higher salaries, especially in large studios or tech hubs.

What Is a Technical Artist?

A technical artist works in the video game industry. In this career, you take the art created by the animation team and make sure that it runs within the technical parameters of the video game and hardware. You may develop or use special shading tools to make certain that the animation looks realistic in different settings within the game. The diverse duties of a technical artist require both creativity and technical skills.

More about Technical Artist jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Artist jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Technical Artist jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Technical Artist jobs in Riverside, CA? For Technical Artist jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Technical Artist jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Technical Artist jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Technical Artist jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Technical Artist job openings:
Technical Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Technical Artist job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $144,715 per year, or $69.6 per hour.
UI Technical Artist

UI Technical Artist

Turtle Rock Studios

Irvine, CA • On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

UI Technical Artist

At Turtle Rock, we make the games we want to play. We're dedicated to providing a collaborative environment where our team members feel empowered with the creative freedom to contribute and grow. While we are based in Orange County, CA, we support flexible work arrangements ranging from in-studio, hybrid, to fully remote throughout North America. Join our award-winning game development team and help create our next hit title.

We are seeking a UI Technical Artist to join our team. The UI Technical Artist bridges the gap between design and engineering, ensuring seamless, visually polished, and performant UI experiences. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with Unreal Engine 5, UMG, and Figma, while collaborating closely with UI/UX Designers, Engineers, and Artists to bring our game's interface to life. This position will report to the UX/UI Director.

Responsibilities
  • Implement, optimize, and maintain user interfaces using Unreal Engine 5 and UMG
  • Translate Figma mockups and wireframes into interactive, responsive, in-game UI
  • Work closely with UI/UX Designers to ensure fidelity between design intent and implementation
  • Develop and maintain UI assets pipelines, ensuring a clean workflow from Figma, Photoshop, and Illustrator into UE5
  • Implement and polish UI materials, animations, and interactive behaviors in UMG using Blueprints
  • Contribute to the development of materials and shader solutions that elevate the look and feel of the UI
  • Collaborate with Engineers to integrate UI systems into gameplay features and tools
  • Collaborate with QA to track and resolve UI related bugs
  • Troubleshoot and resolve UI-related technical challenges, including performance and scalability
  • Ensure UI elements function seamlessly across multiple platforms and resolutions
  • Create and maintain documentation, scripts, and tools to support efficient UI workflows
  • Participate in playtests and iteration cycles to improve usability and visual quality
Requirements
  • 3+ years of experience as a UI Technical Artist, UI Implementer, or similar role in game development
  • A portfolio or demo reel showcasing shipped projects or interactive UI work in Unreal Engine
  • Proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 with hands-on experience in UMG (UI Editor, Blueprints, Widgets, Materials)
  • Experience working with Figma or similar design software for UI/UX collaboration
  • Strong understanding of UI/UX principles and best practices for player-facing experiences
  • Knowledge of localization and accessibility design for UI in games
  • Ability to script and debug using Blueprints
  • Experience with motion graphics or UI animations (After Effects, Niagara, or Sequencer)
  • Familiarity with console development and UI performance optimization
  • Excellent problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail and polish
  • Strong cross-discipline communication skills and ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment
Preferences
  • Shooter games experience is a plus
  • Knowledge of C++ is a plus
Benefits

Some of the benefits and perks our employees get to enjoy, include:

  • 100% Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage for you and your family
  • 401k Matching
  • Student Loan Repayment Plan / College Savings Plan
  • Career Improvement Plan
  • Flexible Work Arrangements - In-House, Hybrid, and Remote
  • Generous Time Off Policy
  • Company Events - In-Person + Virtual Events
  • Fully Stocked Kitchen + Sponsored Food Trucks

The estimated base pay range for this role is: $80,000 - $120,000 USD

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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