Visual Simulations Technician

ERM; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) or RRSP/DPSP

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Visual Simulations Technician to join our Visual Services team in Irvine, CA. You will develop advanced 3D visualizations, renderings, and VR experiences for electric transmission, renewables, mining, and other sectors.

The role emphasizes technically defensible visuals and communication of complex concepts to stakeholders. You will collaborate with engineering, environment, and outreach teams, delivering high-quality visual products that support regulatory and public engagement

Qualifications

• 3–4 years in AEC/related field with 3D visualizations and simulations.
• Proficiency with 3D software for modeling, texturing, lighting, basic animation.
• Experience with real-time rendering and visualization tools (V-Ray, Unreal/Unity).

Responsibilities

• Prepare technically defensible 3D models, renderings, and animations for regulatory, licensing, and public outreach.
• Develop innovative 3D visual simulations and VR experiences for diverse projects.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to communicate complex engineering concepts.
• Maintain high technical and visual quality standards and meet client expectations.

Skills

3D Visualization

Team Collaboration

Innovation

Portfolio Access

Tools

Autodesk 3D Studio Max

Chaos V-Ray

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Unreal Engine/Unity

Job description

Shape the future of visual impact assessment with cutting-edge 3D visualization technology. ERM is seeking a Visual Simulations Technician to join our growing Visual Services team. This role supports clients across the electric transmission, renewable energy, extractive industries, and other sectors by developing technically defensible visual products that help stakeholders understand complex projects. As part of our innovative visualization team, you will play a key role in delivering advanced 3D simulations, VR experiences, and interactive environments that support regulatory, licensing, and public outreach efforts.

Why This Role Matters?

• ERM's visualization technology is at the forefront of environmental impact assessment and stakeholder engagement. Our team continually pushes the boundaries of innovation by creating immersive and technically robust visual tools that help communities, regulators, and clients better understand proposed developments. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced visualization professional who is passionate about advancing their career with a global sustainability leader.

What Your Impact Is:

• Support clients and projects in electric transmission, renewables (wind, solar, hydropower, and battery storage), and extractive (mining and oil & gas) industries, among others.
• Develop technically defensible 3D visual simulations of proposed projects.
• Create innovative outreach materials, including VR 360-degree simulations and interactive 3D environments.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to communicate complex engineering and environmental concepts through advanced visualization technologies.
• Contribute to the ongoing innovation and development of ERM's visualization capabilities and products.

What You'll Bring:

• Minimum of 3-4 years of professional experience in a related AEC field, including practical experience preparing 3D visualizations, 3D modeling, and 3D simulations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Autodesk 3D Studio Max, including modeling, texturing, lighting, and basic animation.
• Experience with Chaos V-Ray, particularly real-time GPU rendering.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign.
• Ability to work effectively under tight project deadlines both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong passion for innovation within the 3D visualization industry and commitment to continuously improving the quality of work.
• Ability to provide samples of previous work through a portfolio website, cloud drive, or other accessible platform.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred

• Experience translating data from a wide assortment of software platforms and coordinate systems, including LiDAR and point cloud datasets.
• Experience with Forest Pack Pro, RailClone, or similar scattering and optimization tools.
• Experience with ArcGIS and/or Global Mapper.
• Experience with Autodesk Civil 3D.
• Experience with Google Earth Pro.
• Experience with additional Adobe Creative Suite products, including Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Illustrator.
• Experience with Blender.
• Experience with Chaos Vantage.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity for real-time interactive environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the preparation of technically defensible 3D models, renderings, photomontages, visual simulations, and animations for regulatory, licensing, and public outreach applications across a diverse range of projects.
• Utilize cutting-edge hardware and software platforms to develop innovative approaches for communicating complex civil and infrastructure designs to public audiences.
• Maintain high technical and visual quality standards while ensuring project deliverables meet client expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with project teams, technical specialists, and visualization colleagues to support project execution from concept through final delivery.

For the Managing Technical Consultant, Data Analytics & Visualization position, the anticipated annual base pay is $95,400–$121,400 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

Who We Are: As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.