3D Environmental Artist

The 3D Environmental Artist is an entry-to-mid-level technical artist responsible for supporting the development, modification, and maintenance of airport Visual Databases (VDBs). Working under the direction of a senior VDB Developer, this individual creates and refines 3D assets, terrain features, airport infrastructure, environmental elements, and supporting visual content that contribute to realistic, operationally accurate airport environments.

This position focuses on implementing the senior VDB Developer's vision by constructing detailed airport environments, creating high-quality 3D assets, and ensuring visual fidelity while meeting real-time simulation performance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

3D Asset Development:

• Create and modify 3D models for airport terminals, control towers, hangars, buildings, signage, lighting, fencing, vehicles, and surrounding infrastructure.
• Produce optimized assets suitable for real-time simulation while maintaining high visual quality.
• Create and apply textures, materials, and lighting using modern PBR workflows.
• Develop reusable asset libraries for common airport structures and environmental objects.

Airport Environment Construction:

• Assemble airport environments from source imagery, engineering drawings, GIS data, and reference photography.
• Place and align airport objects according to the design guidance provided by senior VDB Developers.
• Build terrain features, roadways, parking areas, vegetation, and surrounding landmarks.
• Implement runway markings, taxiway signage, lighting systems, and airport infrastructure.
• Support development of airport environments for all designated FAA Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs).

Visual Refinement & Optimization:

• Improve visual quality through texture refinement, lighting adjustments, and asset optimization.
• Support development of environmental effects including day/night operations, seasonal conditions, and weather visualization.
• Assist with animation of environmental objects and airport assets where required.
• Optimize models to maintain required simulation performance.

Quality Assurance Support:

• Verify models for proper scale, placement, texture mapping, and rendering performance.
• Correct visual defects identified during QA reviews.
• Participate in iterative design reviews with senior developers and subject matter experts.
• Ensure all assets comply with established modeling, naming, and performance standards.

Repository & Configuration Support:

• Maintain models, textures, and supporting files within the program configuration management system.
• Follow version control procedures for all visual assets.
• Package assets for integration into the Visual Database.
• Maintain organized project documentation and asset libraries.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with senior VDB Developers, Scenario Developers, Systems Engineers, and software developers.
• Participate in Agile sprint planning, backlog refinement, and design reviews.
• Support rapid implementation of airport modifications and visual updates.

Required Education:

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
  • Computer Graphics
  • Game Art
  • Digital Media
  • Animation
  • Visual Effects (VFX)
  • Environmental Design
  • Architecture
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • A related technical or artistic discipline
• An Associate's degree, technical certification, portfolio, or equivalent practical experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.

Required Experience:

• Professional experience is preferred but not required. Ideal candidates will demonstrate knowledge, coursework, internships, or personal project work in one or more of the following areas:
  • 3D modeling, rendering, or environment creation for games, simulation, visualization, or digital media.
  • Modern 3D modeling software such as Blender, Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, or equivalent
  • Creation of optimized assets for real-time rendering
  • Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials and texturing workflows
  • Interpretation of aerial imagery, engineering drawings, or reference photography
  • Basic understanding of version control systems
• A strong portfolio demonstrating technical ability and artistic quality may be considered in lieu of professional experience.

Required Clearance:

• Must be a U.S. citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Experience:

• Flight simulation scenery development (Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, Prepar3D, DCS, etc.)
• Airport scenery creation or aviation-related environments
• Unreal Engine or Unity
• GIS data processing and terrain development
• OpenFlight or Common Database (CDB/OpenCDB)
• Familiarity with FAA airport diagrams and aviation charting
• Experience working in Agile software development environments

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency with 3D modeling and texturing tools such as Blender, Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, or equivalent
• Understanding of real-time rendering and performance optimization techniques
• Ability to accurately implement designs and direction provided by senior VDB Developers
• Strong artistic eye for detail, scale, lighting, and environmental realism
• Ability to rapidly incorporate review feedback and iterate on designs
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative team player capable of working across multidisciplinary teams including VDB Developers, Scenario Developers, Systems Engineers, and software developers