3D Generalist / Visualization Designer

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms. JOB OVERVIEW We are looking for a curious, fast-moving 3D Generalist to join our 3D/Visualization team. You will work across the full 3D pipeline: modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, animation, and real-time, to create the visuals that bring Saronic's vessels, systems, and environments to life. You will be hands-on from day one, shipping work that appears in customer briefings, events, product films, and across the company. This is an ideal role for an early-career designer who is hungry to grow, loves experimenting with new tools, and wants to be at the center of a fast-changing field. You will learn from experienced designers across Brand, Industrial, 3D/Visualization, Product, and Video, and you will have the freedom to bring in new techniques and help shape how our team works. RESPONSIBILITIES - 3D Modeling and Asset Creation - Model hard-surface vessels, systems, props, and environments from engineering CAD, concept art, and reference, optimizing geometry for both offline and real-time use. - Build clean UVs, textures, and PBR materials that work anywhere the asset goes, from hero renders to real-time engines. - Build and maintain a library of reusable, well-organized assets that the whole team can pull from. - Lighting, Rendering, and Look Development - Light and render photoreal and stylized scenes for stills, animations, and real-time experiences. - Develop look and mood that feels cinematic, accurate, and unmistakably Saronic. - Optimize scenes for quality and render time, and keep pace with new rendering technologies. - Animation and Real-Time - Animate vessels, mechanisms, cameras, and simulated environments (water, weather, FX) to explain how our technology works. - Build interactive and real-time scenes in Unreal Engine, or similar, for demos, events, and internal tools. - Prototype quickly to test ideas, then refine the best ones into finished work. - New Tools and Workflows - Stay current on emerging 3D, real-time, and AI-assisted tools, and bring in the ones that make the team faster or the work better. - Experiment with new techniques, test them on real projects, and share what you learn so the whole team levels up. - Help build repeatable pipelines, scene templates, and documentation so projects move smoothly from CAD to final output. - Collaboration and Delivery - Work closely with Growth, Industrial Design, Engineering, Brand, Motion, and Video to turn ideas and CAD into compelling visuals. - Take direction and feedback well, iterate quickly, and deliver on short timelines, including support for events and customer demos. - Manage your own files, versions, and deadlines, and communicate progress and blockers early. - Handle sensitive and export-controlled information responsibly, following company guidelines on what can be shown and shared. QUALIFICATIONS - 1–3 years of professional experience in 3D (in-house, studio, freelance, or equivalent), or an exceptional portfolio from school or personal projects that shows the same level of skill. - A strong portfolio showing end-to-end 3D work: modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and animation, with attention to craft and realism. - Proficiency in Cinema 4D or Blender, plus a physically based renderer (Redshift, Octane, Cycles, or similar). - Experience with texturing and material tools such as Substance 3D Painter/Designer, and familiarity with procedural texturing. - Working knowledge of a real-time engine, such as Unreal Engine or Unity. - Solid fundamentals in form, composition, lighting, color, and camera. - A demonstrated habit of learning new tools quickly, with examples of picking up new software or techniques on your own. - Strong communication skills and the ability to take feedback and iterate fast. - Comfort with fast-moving, ambiguous environments and shifting priorities. - Ability to work on-site and travel occasionally for events and demos. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Hands-on experience with AI-assisted and emerging 3D workflows, such as generative image and 3D tools, ComfyUI-style pipelines, and capture techniques like photogrammetry or Gaussian splatting. - Experience with Houdini or other procedural and simulation workflows (water, weather, FX). - Experience with Unreal Engine for cinematic, interactive, or virtual production work. - Compositing and finishing skills in After Effects or Nuke. - Experience working from CAD and engineering data (for example from SolidWorks or Rhino), including cleanup and optimization for visualization. - Familiarity with rendering cached simulations (Alembic, VDB, USD) handed off from FX artists. - Familiarity with OCIO/ACES color management, so color stays consistent between Cinema 4D, Unreal, and compositing. - Experience with Plasticity or similar CAD-style modeling tools. - Basic scripting or technical art skills (Python, Blueprints, or Geometry Nodes). - Interest in or familiarity with defense, aerospace, robotics, or maritime technology. PHYSICAL DEMANDS - Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer - Occasional standing and walking within the office - Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment - Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports - Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies - Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, packages) BENEFITS Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees https://saronic-assets-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Saronic%20CCPA%20Notice%20for%20Candidates%20and%20California%20Employees.pdf If this role is based in the United States, it requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/8/1324b. Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.