Freelance / Contract SketchUp & 3D Rendering Specialist — Immediate Need
Location: Remote in the United States — Iowa or Midwest preferred
Type: Freelance / 1099 Contract — immediate start, ongoing engagement
Compensation: $100/hour, DOE (billed by project/hours)
About the Opportunity
A well-established Midwest manufacturer of strength-training and fitness equipment — serving colleges, universities, and high schools nationwide — needs a freelance SketchUp / 3D rendering specialist to support its sales and visualization team. This is an immediate need with the potential to grow into an ongoing fractional relationship. Posted on behalf of a confidential client by Katalyst Systems Impact; company details are shared once we've connected.
What You'll Do (Immediate Priorities)
- Convert 2D architectural drawings (.dwg, PDF, etc.) into accurate SketchUp models so the sales team can design within the space
- Turn completed SketchUp room layouts into high-resolution renderings, animations, and presentation-ready materials
- Build accurate room shells with architectural details, materials, and lighting
- Create photorealistic renderings for customer presentations, including customer logos and individual equipment renderings
- Produce 3D walkthroughs and animated videos (day/night scenes, visual effects)
This Role May Grow To Include
- Website and marketing renderings
- Converting engineering models (SolidWorks) into SketchUp
- Advanced rendering / post-processing for larger projects
- Exploring emerging visualization technology — VR and immersive customer experiences
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience with SketchUp and photorealistic rendering (V-Ray, Enscape, Lumion, Twinmotion, or similar)
- Ability to convert .dwg/PDF architectural drawings into clean SketchUp models
- A strong portfolio of renderings, animations, and walkthroughs
- Fast, reliable turnaround and clear communication — the single biggest factor in this role's success
- Based in Iowa or the Midwest strongly preferred (Central/Eastern Iowa a plus) — for time-zone and communication ease, and to allow for the occasional in-person visit as responsibilities grow; open to other U.S. locations for the right candidate
- Your own SketchUp/rendering software and license
Schedule & Workload
- Fully remote; no fixed hours required, but fast turnaround is essential (prior contractor typically turned work around in 5–6 hours same-day, 12 hours overnight)
- Workload is cyclical — busiest October–December, lighter in summer — and has grown year over year
- Immediate start; ongoing contract with room to grow
Location Requirement
Candidates must be currently located in the United States and perform the work from within the U.S. Iowa or Midwest-based candidates are strongly preferred, with Central/Eastern Iowa a plus, due to time-zone alignment, ease of communication, and the potential for occasional in-person collaboration as the relationship grows.
To Apply
Submit a portfolio/reel of relevant SketchUp and rendering work along with your hourly rate.
Salary: $100/hourOriginally posted on