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/hour
A well-established Midwest manufacturer of strength-training and fitness equipment serving colleges, universities, and high schools nationwide. The company specializes in designing and supplying fitness equipment solutions for educational institutions across the United States. They work with their sales and visualization team to create custom room layouts and presentations for clients using advanced 3D rendering and architectural visualization. The company has experienced year-over-year growth in their visualization needs, particularly during peak seasons (October-December).
