ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

3D Animator Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

Epic Games

Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

Build animation behavior tools, techniques, and frameworks that enable complex systems and ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

EROS Technologies, Inc.

UX Designer

Raleigh, NC

Develop 2D and 3D Animation using Flash. Develop Flash /Director based customer Animations Develop Flash Based Streaming Video applications Develop Flash Based Streaming Video applications Tool ...

NCSU

Assistant or Associate Professor

Raleigh, NC

Successful candidates may also by asked to teach at the foundation level instructing students on techniques of basic drawing, 2D and 3D design, digital illustration, animation and sculpture.

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Chapel Hill, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Durham, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Raleigh, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Deep knowledge of Blender 3D modeling, sculpting, UV unwrapping, texturing, materials with shader nodes, lighting, rigging, animation, physics simulation, and rendering with Cycles and Eevee engines.

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Durham, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... 3D modeling beginners through advanced users developing professional visualization and animation skills. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Chapel Hill, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... 3D modeling beginners through advanced users developing professional visualization and animation skills. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Raleigh, NC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... 3D modeling beginners through advanced users developing professional visualization and animation skills. * Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with ...

Epic Games

Cinematics Director

Cary, NC · On-site

Collaborate with the Animation Director to direct motion capture sessions and oversee scene ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

OptiTrack

Technical Writer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Experience with motion capture, animation, virtual production, robotics, biomechanics, or related industries. * Experience with 3D applications such as Maya, MotionBuilder, Blender, Unreal Engine, or ...

OptiTrack

Technical Writer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Experience with motion capture, animation, virtual production, robotics, biomechanics, or related industries. * Experience with 3D applications such as Maya, MotionBuilder, Blender, Unreal Engine, or ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Raleigh, NC

$123K - $147K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Character

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$123K - $147K/yr

You will partner closely with Character Artists, Animators, Riggers and Engineers to ensure our cast looks and moves exactly as intended. Key Responsibilities: * Define and maintain workflows for ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All Jobs3D Animator Jobs3D Animator Jobs in Raleigh, NC

3D Animator information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$30.1K

$62.1K

$128.8K

How much do 3d animator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d animator in Raleigh, NC is $62,083.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,100.00 and $60,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges 3D Animators face when working on team-based projects?

3D Animators often collaborate closely with modelers, riggers, and technical directors, which can present challenges such as ensuring animation timing matches the project's vision and maintaining consistency across multiple characters or scenes. Communicating effectively to align on feedback and revisions is crucial, especially when working with remote teams or tight deadlines. Being adaptable and open to creative input helps animators navigate these challenges while contributing to a cohesive final product.

Will 3D animation be replaced by AI?

3D animators play a crucial role in creating complex visual content that requires creativity and artistic skill, which AI currently cannot fully replicate. While AI tools can assist with tasks like automating repetitive processes or generating basic animations, human expertise remains essential for nuanced, high-quality 3D animation work, especially in creative and client-driven projects.

What is 3D Animator?

A 3D animator combines art and science to produce 3D animated creations. These artists generate visual designs on a computer and use 3D printing technology to make a tangible model of their concept. Examples of 3D animation products include gaming equipment, film props, and medical illustrations. Most 3D animators work in a studio setting among a team of other 3D animators, each person contributing to the projects based on their strengths.

Is 3D animation a good career?

3D animation is a viable career that involves creating visual effects and models for entertainment, advertising, and other industries. Success often requires proficiency in software like Maya or Blender, strong artistic skills, and continuous learning to keep up with technological advances.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3D Animator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Animator, you need a strong understanding of animation principles, modeling, texturing, and a portfolio demonstrating your creative and technical abilities, often supported by a degree in animation or related fields. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max and familiarity with rendering engines and motion capture systems are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, collaboration, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for translating ideas into compelling visual stories and working with production teams. These skills and qualities are vital for producing high-quality animations that meet project goals and industry standards.

Is there a demand for 3D animators?

The demand for 3D animators remains strong across industries such as entertainment, gaming, advertising, and virtual reality, driven by ongoing growth in digital media and content creation. Skills in industry-standard software like Maya, Blender, or Cinema 4D, along with a strong portfolio, can enhance job prospects as companies seek talented animators for various projects.

What does a 3D Animator do?

A 3D Animator creates three-dimensional moving images for films, video games, advertisements, and other media. They use specialized software to design characters, objects, and environments, and then animate them to bring stories or concepts to life. Their work often involves collaborating with other artists, directors, and technical staff to ensure the animation fits the overall vision of the project. 3D Animators must have strong artistic skills, technical proficiency, and attention to detail.

Are 3D animators paid well?

3D animators typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals working in film, gaming, or advertising can earn higher wages, especially with advanced skills in software like Maya or Blender. Overall, the profession offers good earning potential for skilled animators.
More about 3D Animator jobs
What are popular job titles related to 3D Animator jobs in Raleigh, NC? For 3D Animator jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching 3D Animator jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Animator jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for 3D Animator jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most 3D Animator job openings:
3D Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Animator job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 84% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,083 per year, or $29.8 per hour.
Character Animation Lead

Character Animation Lead

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
ART
What We Do
Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character, and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special Projects team to help drive the vision and execution of character animation across experimental and gameplay-driven prototypes. You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build responsive, expressive, and scalable animation systems. You will act as a bridge between animation and engineering - helping to define workflows, shape systems, and solve complex problems at the intersection of gameplay and motion. This role requires both hands-on creation and leadership: setting quality bars, guiding others, and helping a small team move quickly without sacrificing clarity or craft.
In this role, you will
  • Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation in Unreal Engine
  • Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation
  • Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation systems. Excite those around you with creative and clear thinking
  • Own animation quality and leadership across projects, ensuring a strong and consistent point of view
  • Translate gameplay needs into animation behaviours that feel intuitive and responsive
  • Debug and solve complex animation and integration issues in the engine
  • Contribute to and help evolve animation pipelines, tools, and workflows for rapid iteration
  • Mentor and support other animators, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and craft excellence
What we're looking for
  • Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with the ability to deliver both realistic and stylized motion
  • Deep experience working in Unreal Engine, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blending, and runtime systems
  • Strong understanding of gameplay animation-how input, timing, and responsiveness shape player experience
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical designers on complex, system-driven features
  • Experience building or contributing to animation systems (not just assets), including debugging and iteration in-engine
  • Animating in engine using Unreal Engine animation tools
  • Comfort working in ambiguous, exploratory environments with rapid iteration cycles
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance creative goals with technical constraints
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills
  • Experienced AAA development or equivalent real-time production environments

Bonus Points
  • Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, or emerging animation technologies
  • Familiarity with Control Rig and runtime rigging workflows in Unreal Engine
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

Apply