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3D Character Animator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

As a TDiA, you will use your animation sense and technical understanding of character animation to ... and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal ...

Velan Studios

Gameplay Animator (Senior+/Lead)

Troy, NY · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Expert in Maya or equivalent 3D animation software. * Hands-on experience working in-engine, with ... Above all, deeply curious and passionate about creating responsive, character forward animation ...

DK Global

3D Generalist

Redlands, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

We specialize in 3D animated visual aids for attorneys to use in demand packages, mediation, and ... Possess strong character/vehicle animation skills using 3DS Max. * Must be proficient at using ...

DK Global

3D Generalist

Redlands, CA

$90K - $120K/yr

We specialize in 3D animated visual aids for attorneys to use in demand packages, mediation, and ... Possess strong character/vehicle animation skills using 3DS Max. * Must be proficient at using ...

Scattermesh

Senior 3D Technical Character Artist

Herndon, VA · On-site

$130K - $156K/yr

... 3D Technical Facial Character Artists to work across client projects on a full time basis on-site ... Deep understanding of FACS, facial blendshapes and facial performance animation, wrinkle-map ...

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

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for 3d character animator 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 in the 3D Character Animator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 3D Character Animator, you need a strong background in animation principles, anatomy, and computer graphics, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard tools like Autodesk Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max is essential, and having a demo reel or certification can enhance your qualifications. Creativity, strong communication skills, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for working effectively on collaborative projects. These skills ensure you can bring characters to life convincingly while meeting project goals and deadlines in dynamic production environments.

What are some common challenges faced by 3D Character Animators in a production environment?

3D Character Animators often face challenges such as meeting tight deadlines, ensuring consistency with a project’s artistic vision, and adapting to feedback from directors or clients. Balancing creativity with technical constraints, like optimizing animations for real-time engines or specific platforms, can also be demanding. Additionally, collaborating closely with modelers, riggers, and other team members means strong communication and adaptability are essential. Overcoming these challenges helps animators deliver high-quality work and maintain efficient production workflows.

What is a 3D Character Animator job?

A 3D Character Animator is responsible for creating fluid and expressive character movements in films, video games, and other digital media. They use specialized software, such as Autodesk Maya or Blender, to bring characters to life through motion, expressions, and body language. Their work involves understanding animation principles, character rigging, and storytelling techniques to create believable performances. 3D Character Animators collaborate with modelers, riggers, and directors to ensure animations meet artistic and technical requirements.

More about 3D Character Animator jobs
What cities are hiring for 3D Character Animator jobs? Cities with the most 3D Character Animator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 3D Character Animator jobs? The most popular types of 3D Character Animator jobs are:
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3D Character Animator jobs near you
Infographic showing various 3D Character Animator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,866 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

CD PROJEKT RED

Boston, MA • On-site

$115K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Company Description
To create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of gamers - this is our mission. Want to dive deeper into our company's culture? Explore our social media and check out our YouTube channel and Beyond the Game Blog where we share behind-the-scenes insights and stories direct from our team members!
Job Description
CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Gameplay Animator with a focus on locomotion to join our Boston hub and the team working on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game.
As a hands-on individual contributor, you will define the look and feel of player and NPC locomotion-from grounded movement to cybernetically motivated actions-for a high-quality animation experience. You will work from previsualization and prototyping through final in-engine implementation, collaborating with Art, Design, Technical Animation, and Engineering. Your goal will be to ensure animation content and runtime systems deliver a responsive, readable, and compelling player experience, setting the quality bar and best practices for locomotion animation across gameplay.
Daily Responsibilities:
  • Drive locomotion animation quality for player and NPC movement across gameplay states and contexts.
  • Partner with the Animation Lead and key stakeholders to align animation quality, style, and execution with the project's aesthetic goals, gameplay pillars, and overall player experience.
  • Collaborate daily within a cross-disciplinary team to define gameplay experiential goals and deliver features from concept through final implementation.
  • Create pre-visualizations and prototypes to assist in communication and development.
  • Create high-quality finished animation using hand-keyed, procedurally generated animation, and motion capture techniques to achieve seamless, expressive, reactive movement.
  • Implement and iterate within Unreal Engine to ensure locomotion animation feels responsive, readable, and polished in real-time gameplay.
  • Research, explore and advocate new techniques, systems, and workflows to improve animation quality, efficiency, and support evolving gameplay and previsualization needs.
  • Curate motion capture shot list and provide performance direction, preparing locomotion patterns and reference videos, and assisting on-stage as necessary.
  • Provide clear feedback and animation insight during reviews and collaborations, helping raise quality.
  • Provide mentorship, inspiration, and support to early-career animators through feedback, collaboration, and example.

Qualifications
  • 5+ years of professional experience in gameplay animation development with major contributions to player locomotion.
  • Experience on a shipped title with extensive 3Cs mechanics.
  • Professional experience developing animation for locomotion in Unreal Engine (or comparable engines), including Animation Blueprints, state machines, animation montages, blend spaces, motion matching, Control Rig, and runtime animation behaviors.
  • Proficient in 3D animation skills using Maya, MotionBuilder, or equivalent DCC tools.
  • Solid animation fundamentals, including weight, timing, posing, and clarity.
  • Ability to author hand-keyed animation and motion capture into compelling performances, refining motion capture to support gameplay dynamics while maintaining the integrity of the source.
  • Deep understanding of body mechanics and physics as they relate to believable character movement and locomotion.
  • Ability to deliver work in accordance with the artistic direction of the project.

Nice to Have:
  • Experience directing motion capture, particularly for motion matching.
  • Experience developing motion-matching locomotion systems.

Candidates should include a portfolio in their application.
Additional Information
The application window for this position will close by 07/30/2026.
This job requires working in Boston, US.
Working mode: in-office in a hybrid or full-time capacity.
Health & Well-being
  • Company paid medical healthcare (dental vision & mental health included).
  • Paid leave - 26 days of vacation, 10 sick days, & 12 calendar holidays per year.
  • No dress-code - we like to keep it casual.
  • 401K with employer matching.
  • Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) - $100 per month to use towards fitness, wellness, internet, home office equipment, learning, streaming services, and more.
  • Menstrual Leave.

Perks & Professional Growth
  • Flexible working hours.
  • Trainings, lectures and courses - internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available. There's always something to learn!
  • Merch - regular chances to nab some cool swag!
  • Access to the cafeteria platform.
  • A welcome pack filled with goodies - to help you feel right at home once you join the team.

Life in the Office
  • Dog-friendly office - dog owner? Bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There's always a furry friend or two to meet at the studio.
  • Truly international working environment - a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.

This position is a new role.
Estimated pay range for this position: $95,000 - $174,000 USD annually
At CD PROJEKT RED compensation for our roles in North America are determined based on competitive market data, geographic location, and individual factors tied to business needs. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Final offers are dependent on job-related factors like experience, qualifications, and location.
If you've observed any irregularities (i.e. legal or ethical violations) in our recruitment process, please click here to report them anonymously.
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Videos To Watch
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