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Animation Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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iOS Developer

Cupertino, CA

$63.75 - $88/hr

Be it core Java, full-stack Java, Web/UI designers, Big Data or Cloud or Mobility developers ... Qualifications Skill Core Data, Core Animation, Core Graphics,Core Text,APIs Additional Information ...

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How much do animation developer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 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 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 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 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.

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
Senior Technical Gameplay Animator

Senior Technical Gameplay Animator

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Santa Monica, CA

$126.40K - $227.50K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

This is a hybrid / onsite position.

For nearly 40 years, Naughty Dog has been crafting best-selling, critically acclaimed games that constantly push the boundaries of narrative, gameplay, and technology. Naughty Dog recently released The Last of Us Part II Remastered as well as a current generation remake of The Last of Us Part I for the PS5. We're also proud to say that The Last of Us Part I and Part II are now available for the first time on PC. Currently, we're busy at the kennel working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and we'd love to find talented individuals to join us!

Naughty Dog games have long been lauded for their evocative, character-driven stories and attention to detail. We are committed to innovation within our games and as such have curated some of the top creative and technically innovative minds in the industry. We welcome diverse candidates and believe that a broad range of cultural and life experiences contribute to the overall well-being and success of the studio and the titles we craft together.

Please note: This is not a rigging position. We are looking for an animator that is capable of being the bridge between art and technical teams by designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex runtime animation systems and character behaviors.

What you will do:

Facilitate the creation and implementation of tools and techniques that allow the building of complex and high-quality animation systems

Innovate and streamline animation pipeline processes and workflows

Collaborate with the Animation, Design, and Engineering teams to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve in-game animation implementation issues and animation-related technical challenges

Create high quality animation content supporting the newly developed behaviors and systems and implement it in engine

Work with the animation leadership on defining and maintaining the style and quality bar of the in-game animation

Take ownership of challenging projects and provide innovative solutions, including mentoring team members and creating documentation

Contribute to the strategic development of internal technologies and artistic processes

What skills you will use:

5+ years of industry experience in technical animation for games

Proficiency in Python, C#, C++ or other programming languages is required

Full understanding of in-game animation tools like state machines, blend trees, IK solvers, etc.

Expertise with mocap and keyframe based digital content creation pipelines built on Maya or Motionbuilder

Proven track record of creating visually stunning animations for diverse game genres

Proactively contributes to the progress of the team and the project

As a part of the Naughty Dog application process, candidates will be expected to provide a portfolio or demo reel of their work and may be asked to complete an animation test.

#LI-SP3

The estimated USA base pay range for this zone (Los Angeles area) is listed below. This role may be eligible for additional compensation packages that includes annual bonus and other incentive plans.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Clickhere to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.
$126,400-$227,500 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

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