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Purdue University

3D Artist

🇺🇸 West Lafayette, IN

🕑 Full-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Information Technology

🗓️ July 9th, 2025

Houdini Maya

Edtech.com's Summary

Purdue University is hiring an Associate Multimedia Designer for its Envision Center within the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing. The role involves designing and developing 2D and 3D media for simulation applications, collaborating with faculty, students, and industry partners to create immersive visual experiences, and participating in project management and funded research initiatives.

Highlights
  • Design and develop 2D and 3D media for research, education, and outreach simulation applications.
  • Create and modify visual materials for virtual and augmented reality projects.
  • Collaborate with faculty, students, and industry to translate complex concepts into visuals.
  • Mentor and guide student development teams while expanding personal skills.
  • Participate in project management and contribute to funded research initiatives.
  • Required technical skills include 3D modeling and sculpting (Maya/Blender), texturing (Substance Painter/Designer), rigging, and animation.
  • Proficiency with 2D image and video editing using Adobe Creative Suite or equivalents.
  • Experience integrating art into game engines such as Unity, Unreal, or Godot.
  • Educational requirement: Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Game Design, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Additional desired experience: motion capture, shader design, photogrammetry, procedural generation, Agile development, and version control (Git).

3D Artist Full Description

Associate Multimedia Designer – Envision Center, Purdue University
 
Bring your creative vision to life at Purdue’s Envision Center within the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC). As an Associate Multimedia Designer, you’ll join a collaborative research software engineering team leveraging the latest in virtual reality, augmented reality, and data visualization to support faculty, students, and industry partners with immersive 3D visualizations and simulation applications.
 
What You’ll Do
  • Design and develop 2D and 3D media for simulation applications, supporting research, education, and outreach
  • Create, modify, and curate visual materials for use in cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality projects
  • Collaborate with faculty, students, and industry to translate complex research concepts into engaging visual experiences
  • Assist in mentoring and guiding student development teams, providing oversight and training as you grow your own skills
  • Participate in project management, adhere to timelines, and contribute to funded research initiatives
  • Engage in writing for conferences and journals, and represent the Envision Center at national workshops and events
 
Why Purdue and the Envision Center?
Unrivaled pride, unlimited potential: Join a university recognized for its innovation, global perspective, and commitment to learning and growth

Tight-knit, supportive community: Work closely with faculty, staff, and students in a collaborative environment where your contributions matter

Endless opportunities: Expand your portfolio, develop new skills, and participate in high-impact projects that advance science, education, and industry

Mentorship and growth: Receive guidance from experienced professionals and help mentor the next generation of multimedia designers

Comprehensive benefits: Enjoy wellness programs, tuition discounts, and a vibrant campus culture that supports your well-being and career
 
Start your journey where innovation meets impact. If you’re passionate about visual storytelling, immersive technology, and collaborative problem-solving, consider joining Purdue’s Envision Center as an Associate Multimedia Designer.
 
About Us
RCAC provides access to leading-edge computational and data storage systems as well as expertise in a broad range of high-performance computing activities. To fulfill our mission, we:
  • provide advanced computational resources and services to support Purdue faculty and staff researchers
  • evaluate, deploy, and support hardware and software for large-scale scientific computing
  • promote the effective use of our research computing systems and application software through training and
    education, consultation, and documentation
  • contribute to the discovery process through algorithm design and development of effective computing
    techniques
 
To see examples of our innovative work please visit: https://www.ecshowcase.com/
 
What We're Looking For
Education and Experience Needed:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Game Design, or related fields.
  • Six (6) months of formal experience in 2D and 3D art for interactive simulations/games
    • Experience in creating optimized 3D art to be used in real-time simulations. 
    • Experience with 2D media design/editing for static image and video materials 
    • Experience in art integration for game engines, i.e. Unity/Unreal/Godot
  • In lieu of degree, consideration given to an equivalent combination of education/experience
 
Skills Needed:
  • 3D modeling and sculpting with Maya/Blender or equivalent platforms
  • Lighting, Texturing and material generation using Substance Painter/Designer or equivalent platforms
  • Rigging/Animation of hard surface and soft body models
  • Optimization and high to low workflows for 3D content
  • Knowledge of 2D image editing and video editing with Adobe Creative suite or equivalent platforms.
  • Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks. Complete projects with supervision.
  • Demonstrated skills in self-motivation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to develop documentation
 
Preferred Experience with the following:
  • Organizational production schedules 
  • Motion Capture recording and editing
  • Shader design and validation within game engines
  • Photogrammetry or other 3D scanning techniques
  • Procedural generation and automated graphics pipelines using VFX platforms such as Houdini
  • Knowledge of Agile development practices and version control solutions, i.e. Git
  • Good verbal and written English communication skills including the ability to consult with researchers
  • Develop and present training materials for peers and publications
 
Additional Information

Career Stream
Professional 1
  • Pay Band S055
  • Job Code #20002533

Who We Are
Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.
 
EOE / AA
Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer.