3D Visualization Developer

OverviewTakt Engineering is seeking a Technical Artist to support a facility layout visualization and construction animation program in an advanced manufacturing environment. The primary focus of this role is operating the pipeline to convert engineering geometry into construction timeline animations and interactive facility walkthroughs, while also sourcing, converting, and placing industrial equipment models into a comprehensive 3D model library that engineers and planners can use to visualize, validate, and communicate facility layouts.The work is iterative: stand up quick proxy models to establish layout, then progressively replace them with production-quality assets and animate construction sequences in Unreal Engine. This is the right role for someone comfortable moving between CAD files and real-time 3D, who takes pride in spatial accuracy and visual quality, and who can own a multi-tool pipeline from source geometry through final deliverable.Responsibilities· Operate the NX CAD → PiXYZ → Unreal Engine pipeline: author or receive source geometry in NX, convert to optimized mesh formats via PiXYZ, and import into Unreal for environment construction and animation.· Build and maintain construction timeline animations in Unreal Engine; use Blender for animation/timeline work and mesh editing prior to Unreal import.· Source 3D models of industrial equipment from CAD repositories (GrabCAD, vendor portals, manufacturer sites) and internal libraries; evaluate model quality and dimensional accuracy before use.· Convert CAD files (STEP, IGES, STL) into visualization-ready formats (GLB, OBJ, FBX); optimize meshes through decimation, LOD generation, and texture baking for real-time rendering.· Apply PBR materials and texturing for realistic equipment appearance; place and compose equipment models within the facility layout environment with attention to scale, proportion, and spatial accuracy.· Validate model dimensions against engineering drawings and facility floor plans; coordinate with engineers to confirm equipment placement and clearances are accurate.· Build and maintain the 3D model library with consistent naming conventions, metadata, and quality standards; document asset sources and conversion workflows for repeatability.· Collaborate with manufacturing and facilities engineers to iterate on layout scenarios and deliver interactive walkthroughs that support planning and stakeholder review.Required Qualifications· 3+ years of experience in 3D visualization, real-time 3D development, or a closely related field.· Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine for environment construction, asset placement, and animation; Blender proficiency for mesh editing and animation/timeline work.· Experience with CAD file formats (STEP, IGES, STL) and converting them into real-time 3D formats (GLB, OBJ, FBX); understanding of the differences between parametric CAD and mesh geometry.· Experience with PBR materials and texturing using Substance Painter, Blender, or equivalent tools; mesh optimization skills including decimation, LOD generation, and atlas baking.· Strong eye for scale, proportion, and spatial accuracy in technical environments; experience with facility, architectural, or industrial visualization.· Must be a U.S. citizen.Preferred Qualifications· Experience with PiXYZ or a comparable CAD-to-game-engine bridge tool for converting NX or other parametric CAD geometry to optimized mesh formats.· Familiarity with Siemens NX for source geometry authoring or CAD model review; experience with SolidWorks or other parametric CAD tools also valued.· Familiarity with GrabCAD, TraceParts, or similar model repository sourcing workflows.· Python or JavaScript scripting experience for pipeline automation or asset processing workflows.· Experience building digital twins or interactive facility models in an industrial or manufacturing context.· Manufacturing environment experience.Job DetailsDuration: 6 monthsLocation: Costa Mesa, CA (on-site strongly preferred) | Ability to travel to site considered | Full-time remote possible for exceptional candidates