ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animation Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TrueShort

Creative Executive, Animation

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Collaborate with the broader creative team on slate strategy, programming priorities, new genres ... Experience in animation development, creative development, current programming, producing, writing ...

New

Socket.dev

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

Jam City Inc

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site

Partnering with cross-discipline leads (design, engineering, art, production) to align animation with gameplay systems, technical realities, and the overall player experience. * Owning combat feel ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

... animation systems * Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints. * Iterate and refine animations based on feedback ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

Partnering with cross-discipline leads (design, engineering, art, production) to align animation with gameplay systems, technical realities, and the overall player experience. * Owning combat feel ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

... animation systems * Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints. * Iterate and refine animations based on feedback ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

... animation systems * Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints. * Iterate and refine animations based on feedback ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

... animation systems * Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints. * Iterate and refine animations based on feedback ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsAnimation Developer JobsAnimation Developer Jobs in California

Animation Developer information

See California salary details

$34

$57

$73

How much do animation developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation developer in California is $57.72, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.97 and $63.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an animation developer do?

An Animation Developer is responsible for creating and integrating animations into digital products like video games, apps, websites, and interactive media. They combine artistic skills with technical knowledge, using tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, or Adobe Animate to bring characters and environments to life. Animation Developers also collaborate with designers, programmers, and artists to ensure smooth, visually appealing animations that enhance user experiences. Their work often involves coding, testing, and troubleshooting animations to achieve the desired effects.

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

To thrive as an Animation Developer, you need a strong grasp of animation principles, computer graphics, and programming languages like JavaScript or C++, often backed by a degree in computer science, digital media, or a related field. Proficiency with animation software such as Adobe Animate, Unity, Blender, or Maya, and familiarity with relevant APIs or frameworks, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills that help bring concepts to life and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable the creation of engaging, technically sound animations that meet project goals and user expectations.

What are some common challenges animation developers face when working on cross-functional teams?

Animation Developers often collaborate closely with designers, programmers, and project managers, which can present challenges in aligning creative vision with technical constraints. Effective communication is key, as developers must interpret design briefs into functional animations while ensuring performance and compatibility across platforms. Balancing the artistic aspects of animation with optimization for different devices and game engines is also a frequent challenge. Staying adaptable and fostering open dialogue within the team can help address these issues and lead to successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Animation Developer vs Motion Designer?

AspectAnimation DeveloperMotion Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Graphics, Animation, or related field; knowledge of programming languagesBachelor's in Graphic Design, Animation, or related field; strong design portfolio
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in tech companies, gaming, or software development; focus on interactive animationsAdvertising agencies, media, or entertainment; focus on visual storytelling and branding
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in software, gaming, and interactive media industriesCommon in advertising, film, and digital media industries

Animation Developers focus on creating interactive and programmatic animations often for digital platforms, requiring coding skills. Motion Designers primarily craft visual animations for branding, advertising, and media, emphasizing design and storytelling. While both roles involve animation, their tools, environments, and objectives differ significantly.

Are animation developers in demand right now?

Animation developers are in high demand due to the growth of digital media, gaming, and entertainment industries. Skills in 3D modeling, animation software, and programming languages like Python or C++ increase employability, especially in environments requiring real-time rendering and interactive content.

What are popular job titles related to Animation Developer jobs in California?

For Animation Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animation Developer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Animation Developer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Animation Developer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Animation Developer job openings:

Animation Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Developer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,056 per year, or $57.7 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer - Robot Animation (678439)

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Netpace Inc
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Netpace Incexternal

$144K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Netpace Inc is developing a new class of robotic platforms for social interaction, and they are seeking a Senior Software Engineer for Robot Animation. This role involves innovating at the intersection of art and engineering to create solutions for human-robot interaction systems, working with a cross-disciplinary team to prototype and evaluate interaction concepts.
Responsibilities:
• Architect and implement Client capabilities for expressive multimodal robot behavior including intelligent physical motion and 2D animation
• Research and evaluate software frameworks to apply to robot behavior prototyping and production
• Develop and maintain tools and pipelines for teams of artists and engineers to create engaging content for interactive robotics systems
• Develop procedural art and animation assets for interaction concept prototypes
• Participate in brainstorming sessions on morphology and motion design
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural team of designers, hardware engineers, and software engineers to design solutions
• Work independently and in a self-directed manner to deliver on schedule
Qualifications:
Required:
• B.S. in Computer Science, Computational Media, or similar field
• 5+ years of professional software experience (preferably in graphics, gaming, or media production)
• Experience developing industry pipelines and tools for art, animation, and/or game production
• Strong grasp of mathematics for 2D and 3D animation and graphics (e.g. geometry, linear algebra, kinematics, physics)
• Experience collaborating with designers to achieve creative and aesthetic objectives
• Strong systems thinking, and ability to switch between creative and technical tasks
• Strong written and spoken communication skills
• Work authorization in the US (no H1B or green card sponsorship)
• Willingness to travel internationally and work across time zones
Company:
Netpace is a Data-Driven company excelling in AI, IT Consulting and Staffing Solutions. Founded in 1996, the company is headquartered in San Ramon, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.
Netpace logo

About Netpace

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netpace is a reputable company in the Information Technology and Services industry, headquartered in San Ramon, California, in the United States. The company specializes in providing digital transformation solutions by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. It offers a wide array of services, including Software Development, IT Consulting, Cloud Services, Infrastructure Management, and Digital Marketing. Ever since its launch, Netpace has been driven by a mission to use technology as a medium to shape future businesses and make a significant impact.

Industry

Professional, scientific, and technical services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Ramon, CA, US

View All Netpace Jobs

Apply