Senior 3D Modeller (3ds Max) – Infrastructure and Civil Engineering

Remote, UK business hours (09:00–17:30). UK based preferred. Full-time engagement.

Urban CGI creates accurate 3D and 4D visualisations, digital rehearsals and interactive models for major infrastructure and civil engineering projects.

We need a hands-on Senior 3ds Max Modeller who can turn CAD drawings and survey information into reliable 3D environments, and organise the work of a small modelling team. You will build models yourself, brief colleagues, review their work and take responsibility for delivery.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Model terrain, earthworks, roads, rail, drainage, structures, temporary works, plant and site layouts in 3ds Max from engineering drawings and geospatial data.
• Read plans, sections, levels, chainages and setting-out information; identify missing or conflicting information and ask clear questions before making assumptions.
• Prepare models for real-time use: clean topology, sensible polycounts, correct scale, pivots, naming, UVs and organised scenes.
• Plan and allocate work across a small team, estimate effort, review geometry and accuracy, give practical feedback and keep delivery on track.
• Work directly with project leads, engineers and clients to clarify the brief and explain modelling decisions.

• Stay hands-on when priorities change: fix the model, resolve the issue and communicate the impact.

   

WHAT YOU NEED

• At least three years of paid professional 3ds Max work. Max must be a core production tool, not simply a name on your software list.
• Proven ability to read CAD/engineering/construction drawings and build accurate models from them, with practical AutoCAD or equivalent CAD experience.
• Relevant infrastructure, terrain, transport, civil engineering or large-scale environment modelling. Show us the geometry and accuracy checks you personally handled.
• Practical experience optimising 3D models for real-time delivery.
• Evidence of leading, coordinating or mentoring a small modelling team while continuing to produce work yourself. A formal management title is not essential.
• Clear professional English for technical discussions, written questions, feedback and remote teamwork. We assess this through your work explanation, not your background or accent.

• Ability to work the UK business day and deliver reliably with a small, collaborative team.

   

EXPERIENCE WE PARTICULARLY VALUE

Work at or for consultancies such as Arup, Mott MacDonald or AECOM, or on programmes such as HS2, is particularly relevant. Equivalent project experience is equally welcome; these are examples of useful experience, not affiliations or compulsory former employers.

Unreal Engine, Datasmith, LODs, collision, materials, Civil 3D, Revit, Navisworks, point clouds, survey data and Houdini are useful. A relevant degree or technical qualification is preferred. Practical AI-assisted workflows are welcome where they improve accuracy or efficiency; daily AI use is not a requirement.

Architectural visualisation, games or VFX backgrounds can transfer well if you can demonstrate strong Max skills, drawing literacy and accurate large-scale modelling. A portfolio consisting only of finished renders will need supporting evidence of how you built the models.

WORKING IN A SMALL BUSINESS

This is a hands-on delivery role, not a large-department management position. You need to be comfortable organising your own work, making sensible decisions, raising risks early and helping colleagues without relying on separate teams for every production step. In return, you work closely with decision-makers and can see the direct impact of your work.

We will teach our 4D/construction-sequencing approach and our pipeline. The engagement is a contract with full-time hours. We aim for long-term relationships, but future work and extensions depend on project demand.

HOW TO APPLY

Send your CV and a portfolio or reel, identifying the models you personally built, the source drawings/data and your software. Please include infrastructure, terrain or another technically comparable environment, and one example of coordinating or reviewing other modellers' work.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked for a short screen recording explaining one model built from drawings: how it was set out, checked and optimised. This also lets us assess clear technical communication. Ask us for an alternative assessment format if needed.

We are hiring several people over the coming months. If you can demonstrate the core skills but your job title has been different, we would like to hear from you.