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Animation Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Augment and maintain the animation pipeline. * Propose or create tools to automate the animation pipeline. * Assist the animation team with high quality animation. This includes short loops ...

Augment and maintain the animation pipeline. * Propose or create tools to automate the animation pipeline. * Assist the animation team with high quality animation. This includes short loops ...

Utilize a proprietary Round Trip Tool to assist the layout artist with animation-related issues. * Implement feedback from Cinematics management and the Cinematics Animation supervisor. * Post ...

Supervise two Assistant Production Accountants and support weekly payroll processing. Review ... Adult Animation production accounting experience. * Direct experience interfacing with network ...

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Animation Assistant information

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$9

$29

$70

How much do animation assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation assistant in the United States is $29.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $37.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animation assistant?

Animation Assistants are professionals who support animators and animation teams in creating animated films, television shows, video games, and other multimedia projects. Their responsibilities often include cleaning up rough animations, preparing backgrounds, managing files, and assisting with in-between frames. Animation Assistants help ensure the animation process runs smoothly by handling various technical and organizational tasks. They are essential in maintaining the production schedule and supporting the creative vision of the lead animators.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animation assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animation Assistant, you need a foundational understanding of animation principles, drawing skills, and a relevant degree or coursework in animation or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, or Autodesk Maya is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with the animation team are critical soft skills for this role. These capabilities ensure the smooth execution of animation projects, support the creative process, and help deliver high-quality visual content on schedule.

What are the most common challenges animation assistants face when working on fast-paced productions?

Animation Assistants often work under tight deadlines, which can make time management and maintaining high-quality work challenging. They may need to quickly adapt to changing project requirements or feedback from senior animators and directors. Staying organized while juggling multiple tasks, such as cleaning up animation frames and preparing assets for the animation pipeline, is crucial. Collaborating closely with other team members also requires strong communication skills to ensure consistency and meet production goals.

What is the difference between Animation Assistant vs Graphic Designer?

AspectAnimation AssistantGraphic Designer
Required SkillsBasic animation software, understanding of animation principlesDesign software, visual communication skills
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, media companiesAdvertising agencies, print and digital media
Typical TasksAssist in creating animations, support senior animatorsDesign logos, layouts, visual branding
CredentialsDiploma or certificate in animation or related fieldDegree in graphic design or visual arts

While both roles involve visual creativity, an Animation Assistant primarily supports animation projects with technical skills in animation software, whereas a Graphic Designer focuses on visual branding and static designs. The roles often overlap in creative environments, but their core responsibilities and skill sets differ.

How to get an animation assistant job with no experience?

To get an animation assistant job with no experience, focus on building foundational skills in animation software like Adobe After Effects or Toon Boom, and create a portfolio of personal or school projects. Internships, volunteering, or entry-level positions can provide practical experience and help demonstrate your interest and commitment to the field.
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Infographic showing various Animation Assistant job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,805 per year, or $29.7 per hour.

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Jam City
PC Games • 501 - 1,000 employees

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the hunt for innovators who consider themselves dynamic, collaborative and thrive in a fast-paced environment. 
 
PERKS & BENEFITS
Unlimited Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Kin Care & Holidays*
100% Covered Medical and Company-Sponsored Dental & Vision (Plans Vary)*
Life Insurance, 401k, Flexible Spending Accounts, & More*
Wellness Activities & Programs
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave*
Happy Hours
Company Events
*Only applies to full-time positions.

We are currently looking for a talented Technical Animator to join our tightly knit group of artists, animators and tech artists! The ideal candidate will have experience in assisting animation teams with technical solutions and animating . You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually stunning animations for our upcoming and live games!


**In order to be considered, you MUST provide us with a Demo Reel with examples of your most rigging and animation work. Along with your reel, you should provide a shot breakdown with an explanation of responsibilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Rig characters, creatures and props that adhere to all the animation needs.

  • Export, import and assemble animations in Unity.

  • Create State Machine and Blend Trees in Unity.

  • Augment and maintain the animation pipeline.

  • Propose or create tools to automate the animation pipeline.  

  • Assist the animation team with high quality animation. This includes short loops, locomotion cycles, and full cinematics with camera and character animations.

  • Collaborate with the Lead Animator to refine and maintain the game's animation style and feel.

  • Embellish story scenes with high quality FX using particles or shaders in Unity. 

  • Setup and maintain cloth simulation pipelines.

  • Able to maintain clean and organized work files.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience rigging characters and props using Maya.

  • A minimum of 3 years of experience animating characters using Maya.

  • Master of Unity, with emphasis on anything animation and rigging related. 

  • Self-motivated, an excellent communicator and a team player. Go to great lengths to create outstanding work rather than settling for bare minimum.

  • Excellent understanding of human and animal anatomy.

  • Skilled in 3D character animation for bipedal humanoids, creatures, and organic forms.

  • Expertly apply animation principles to in-game animation: timing, acting, & body mechanics.

  • Experience with Unity particle systems. 

  • Proven problem-solving and prototyping ability, collaborating within the animation team and across adjacent teams.

  • Excellent grasp of the English language.

  • Able to be onsite 5x a week.
NICE TO HAVE
  • Have shipped AAA and/or mobile games as a technical animator, animator, rigger or tech artist.

  • Experience in creating animated shaders.

  • Film animation experience.

  • A passion for games!

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation for this role.  The range listed is just one component of Jam City's total compensation package for employees, which may also include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.  Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, certifications, location, business needs, or market demands. This range is based on a full-time position. This range may be modified in the future. In addition, Jam City provides a variety of benefits to employees, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, parental leave, paid time off, a 401(k) plan, life, disability, and accident insurance.  Pay Range: $90,000 - $110,000 salary per year.

CHECK OUT LIFE AS A JAM CITIZEN:
- Company news and events on our LinkedIn
- Company Blog
- Employee Feedback on our Comparably page
- Find videos on our teams and games on our Youtube
 
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION
We believe in creating games that unite people across the world and that showcase our commitment to providing an environment that is both inclusive and diverse for our players and employees. We strive to create a workforce that is reflective of our global player community as we know that we are stronger and better when we play together. To help promote an inclusive culture, we celebrate the visible and invisible diversity of our Jam Citizens through initiatives including Employee Resource Groups, cultural events, trainings, speaker series, and more. 
 
Jam City is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, religion, ethnicity, marital, or domestic partnerships status, disability, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws. Our management is committed to following this policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruiting, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during employment.
 
ABOUT JAM CITY
Jam City is a leading entertainment studio with a proven track record of creating some of the world's most beloved casual puzzle and story-driven mobile games. As the creative force behind fan-favorite, award-winning titles such as Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Cookie Jam and Panda Pop, Jam City develops engaging and dynamic games that become an enduring part of our players' lives. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles with a global network of studios and talent. For more information, please visit www.jamcity.com.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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