Mighty Yeti Studios is a creator-owned indie animation powerhouse specializing in high-quality kids and family entertainment. We are currently in active episodic production for our flagship preschool series, Classtronauts. We are looking for a highly skilled and detail-oriented Environment & Hard Surface Modeler to join our global team of remote creators.

This is a production-heavy role designed for an artist who thrives on the challenge of transforming loose, directional concept art into polished, production-ready 3D assets. At Mighty Yeti, we don’t just want “button-pushers”—we want creative partners who can interpret a rough sketch and elevate it through expert design judgment and technical precision.

Mighty Yeti Studios operates on the cutting edge of indie animation. Our goal is to create original IP that resonates globally. Classtronauts is a fast-paced, imaginative preschool series that requires a vibrant, tactile, and technically sound world.

Because we are a lean, agile studio, we rely heavily on our freelancers to be self-starters. In this role, you will be a vital link in our production chain, ensuring that the environments our characters inhabit and the props they interact with are not only beautiful but also optimized for a high-efficiency rendering pipeline.

Asset Creation & Design Interpretation

Our creative process is collaborative and fluid. Often, concept art is provided as a “directional” guide rather than a blueprint.

• Modeling Mastery: You will be responsible for modeling complex environments, intricate hard-surface props, and mechanical assets from initial block-out to final delivery.
• Creative Problem Solving: You must possess the “design eye” to fill in the gaps of a loose concept. If a sketch only shows the front of a vehicle, you are expected to design the back and interior in a way that remains consistent with the established show style.
• Refinement: Elevate assets by adding the necessary “production grit” and functional details that make a 3D model feel grounded in its own reality.

Technical Pipeline & Standards

Cleanliness is next to godliness in our pipeline. We require strict adherence to technical specifications to ensure that the lighting and rigging teams can work without friction.

• Topology & UVs: Deliver geometry with clean, efficient topology suitable for the preschool animation aesthetic. You must have a deep understanding of Arnold’s geometry requirements, ensuring UV sets are laid out logically for high-quality texturing and rendering.
• Naming Conventions: Adhere strictly to established naming conventions and folder structures. In an episodic environment, organization is the key to meeting tight deadlines.
• Asset Management: Use ShotGrid for all asset tracking, versioning, and delivery. You will be expected to update your status and respond to feedback within the platform promptly.

Collaboration & Communication

Working remotely requires over-communication.

• Early Intervention: If a concept is unclear or a technical requirement seems contradictory, you are encouraged to speak up early. We value artists who seek clarity to avoid wasted hours.
• Feedback Integration: Review and incorporate feedback from Directors and Lead Artists with a positive, professional attitude. The goal is always the best possible final frame.

Required Technical Skills

• Maya Expert: You should consider Autodesk Maya your primary language. We are looking for advanced knowledge of modeling toolsets and workflows.
• Hard Surface Specialist: Your portfolio should demonstrate an ability to create clean edges, complex boolean-style shapes (with clean mesh output), and mechanical functionality.
• Arnold Proficiency: Solid understanding of how Arnold handles displacement, subdivision at render time, and UV mapping.

Professional Experience

• Episodic Veteran: You must have 3+ years of experience working on episodic TV series or feature films. Candidates without professional production credits will not be considered.
• Fast-Paced Workflow: You should be comfortable with the “per-asset” freelance model, delivering high-quality work within predictable and sometimes tight timeframes.

The “Yeti” Mindset

• Reliability: We need partners we can trust. When you commit to a deadline, we expect it to be met with “production-ready” quality.
• Thoughtful Craftsmanship: We value artists who take pride in the “hidden” parts of the model—the parts that make the downstream team’s life easier.

When applying, please provide a link to your ArtStation, Behance, or personal website. We are specifically looking for:

1. Wireframe Renders: We need to see your topology. Clean quads and logical edge flow are mandatory.
2. Hard Surface Examples: Vehicles, machinery, or complex architectural elements.
3. Environment Layouts: Show us how you handle scale and composition within a 3D space.