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3D Character Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Valicy

3D Animator

Greenville, NC

A solid grasp of animation principles demonstrated through character, VFX, and motion graphics animation is essential. The 3D Animator will work across all aspects of a game's life cycle, owning the ...

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

MOD Worldwide, LLC

Motion Designer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

Deliver polished animations (2D, 3D, Character, Compositing) working with team members across all disciplines: strategy, accounts, design, copy, and dev. * * Bring layout, typography, and design ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement ... Strong experience in character animation , with a focus on creating believable, game-ready ...

Aston Carter

Technical Animator

Seattle, WA · On-site

$45 - $46/hr

... character performances. • Proficiency in Maya, Blender, or comparable 3D animation software. • Ability to rapidly prototype, iterate, and respond to technical and creative feedback. Preferred ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site +1

... of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar: The ... The 3D Animation Lead role involves managing and guiding a team of animators on a show, acting as ...

Side

3D Character Artist - Talent Pool (N Americas)

$123K - $130K/yr

As a 3D Character Artist , you will play a key role in crafting high-quality characters that bring ... Collaborate with art leads, designers, and animators to ensure characters align with the project ...

Montgomery College

MD · On-site

Specialized experience with 3D character animation. * Willingness to incorporate- and a familiarity with- current trends in new technology. * Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ...

Big Shot Pictures

Character Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$130K - $136K/yr

... animation franchises across all platforms - from digital to theatrical, gaming to streaming, and consumer products to experiences. About The Role We are seeking a talented and versatile 3D Character ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement ... Strong experience in character animation , with a focus on creating believable, game-ready ...

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All Jobs3D Character Animation Jobs

3D Character Animation information

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$31K

$63.9K

$132.5K

How much do 3d character animation jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d character animation in the United States is $63,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $62,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a 3D Character Animator, you need strong artistic skills in character movement, an understanding of anatomy, and typically a degree in animation or a related field. Mastery of industry-standard software like Autodesk Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, and familiarity with rigging and motion capture systems are highly valuable. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration and communication skills make animators stand out in team-based environments. These abilities ensure the creation of lifelike, engaging characters that effectively tell stories and enhance visual projects.

What are some common challenges 3D Character Animators face when working on collaborative projects?

3D Character Animators frequently collaborate with modelers, riggers, and technical artists to bring characters to life. One common challenge is ensuring that the animation matches the intended style and technical specifications set by the art and design leads, especially when multiple animators are involved. Integrating animations seamlessly with game engines or film pipelines can also pose technical hurdles. Effective communication and regular feedback sessions are vital to overcoming these challenges and ensuring a consistent, high-quality result.

What is the difference between 3D Character Animation vs 3D Modeler?

Aspect3D Character Animation3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating movement and performance for charactersBuilding and designing 3D models, including characters
Skills RequiredAnimation, rigging, storytellingModeling, texturing, topology
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game development, filmModeling studios, game design, visual effects
Tools UsedAutodesk Maya, Blender, 3ds MaxAutodesk Maya, ZBrush, Blender

While both roles involve 3D software and creative skills, 3D Character Animation focuses on bringing characters to life through movement, whereas 3D Modelers create the detailed models that serve as the foundation for animation. Both roles often collaborate in the same industry settings like gaming and film production.

What is 3D character animation?

3D character animation is the process of creating and manipulating digital characters in a three-dimensional space to make them move, act, and express emotions. Animators use specialized software to design characters, rig their skeletal structure, and animate their movements for films, video games, and other media. The goal is to bring characters to life in a way that is believable and engaging to the audience.
More about 3D Character Animation jobs
What cities are hiring for 3D Character Animation jobs? Cities with the most 3D Character Animation job openings:
What states have the most 3D Character Animation jobs? States with the most job openings for 3D Character Animation jobs include:
What job categories do people searching 3D Character Animation jobs look for? The top searched job categories for 3D Character Animation jobs are:
3D Character Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Animation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

3D Animator

Valicy

Greenville, NC

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Title: 3D Animator
Department: NC Art
Location: Greenville, NC
Reports To: Art Lead
Status: Exempt
Online portfolio (Required at the time of application) - This can be work-related or personal projects outside of work-related activities
WHO WE ARE:

We are Valicy.

We make games. We also make the machines they run on.
What we're building matters. How we treat people matters more.
OUR MISSION
We exist to create excellent gaming experiences, treat our customers the way we want to be treated, and positively impact people's lives through a culture of care.
Seven values guide how we work. We call it our FIGHTER mindset:
Fun: Enjoy the journey together
Innovative: Consistently pushing new boundaries through creativity
Growth: Committed to growing personally and professionally
Humble amp; Passionate: It’s important to be both
Teamwork: Built on trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and results
Excellence: Pursuing high standards in everything we do
Relational: Building trust and relationships with customers and teammates


If this is the kind of place you've been looking for, let's talk.


SUMMARY: The ideal candidate has experience with animating characters and assets in a fun, stylized approach. A solid grasp of animation principles demonstrated through character, VFX, and motion graphics animation is essential. The 3D Animator will work across all aspects of a game’s life cycle, owning the responsibility of animation through pre-production to the final milestone. Blending artistic expertise and technical ability, the 3D Animator will bring visually stimulating content to life that will enhance game play-ability and showcase original experiences to a wide player audience.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Understand company Mission, Vision, and Values and be an ambassador of MVV.
- Collaborate effectively with artists and programmers to create high quality, stylized 3d character animations for games produced by the team
- Rigging and weight painting the prepared 3d characters for animation
- Animate real time popups/motion graphics in 3d space to be used in Unity3D
- Assist in creating entertaining Unity3D transitions to and from game features
- Create high quality animations of characters or key art assets specifically for marketing promotions and sizzle reel videos
- Work with the art team to create dynamic and engaging particle systems in Unity’s Shuriken Particle Editor
REQUIREMENTS:
- A strong portfolio demonstrating understanding of animation principles as they apply to a variety of stylized 3D characters
- Art degree preferred or equivalent work experience
- 1-2 years prior experience in a related position
- Experience developing motion graphics elements for any type of media
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience in using the Unity3D engine (importing assets, animation editor, shuriken particle system)
- Competency in both Photoshop and After Effects
- Work experience in mobile or casino gaming industries
- Familiarity with VFX pipelines in games
- Knowledge of Unity 3D particle systems
Online portfolio (Required at the time of application) - This can be work-related or personal projects outside of work-related activities
This Job Description is to be used as a guide for accomplishing Company objectives. The description incorporates the most typical duties performed and covers only the primary functions and responsibilities of the position. It is recognized that other related duties not specifically mentioned may also be performed. The inclusion of those duties would not alter the overall evaluation of this position.
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