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Animation Developer Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Boston, MA · On-site

$115K - $131K/yr

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 ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$115K - $131K/yr

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 ...

Jobsbridge

Senior iOS Developer

Boston, MA

$65.25 - $84.50/hr

Be it core Java, full-stack Java, Web/UI designers, Big Data or Cloud or Mobility developers ... Core Animation, etc. - Experience with offline storage, threading, and performance tuning ...

Jobsbridge

Senior iOS Developer

Boston, MA

$65.25 - $84.50/hr

Be it core Java, full-stack Java, Web/UI designers, Big Data or Cloud or Mobility developers ... Core Animation, etc. - Experience with offline storage, threading, and performance tuning ...

Jobsbridge

Senior iOS Developer

Boston, MA

$65.25 - $84.50/hr

... Animation, etc. - Experience with offline storage, threading, and performance tuning - Familiarity with RESTful APIs to connect iOS applications to back-end services - Knowledge of other web ...

Axcelis

Technical Illustrator Intern

Beverly, MA

$22.64 - $35.70/hr

This is a great opportunity to build hands-on experience creating illustrations and animations used in real-world technical documentation while working closely with engineers and experienced ...

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All JobsAnimation Developer JobsAnimation Developer Jobs in Massachusetts

Animation Developer information

See Massachusetts salary details

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How much do animation developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation developer in Massachusetts is $63.87, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57.50 and $70.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

How much do Disney animators get paid?

Disney animators' salaries vary based on experience and role, but entry-level animators typically earn around $60,000 to $80,000 annually, while more experienced or senior animators can earn over $100,000. Compensation often includes benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and proficiency in industry-standard tools like Maya or Toon Boom is common.

Is there a high demand for animators?

The demand for animation developers is strong across industries such as entertainment, gaming, and advertising, driven by increasing digital content creation. Skills in software like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender, along with a strong portfolio, can enhance job prospects as companies seek skilled animators to produce engaging visual content.

What is the highest paid animation job?

The highest paid animation jobs are typically senior roles such as Lead Animator, Animation Director, or VFX Supervisor, especially in film, television, or gaming industries. These positions often require extensive experience, advanced skills in software like Maya or Houdini, and leadership responsibilities, with salaries reaching six figures or more depending on the project and location.

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 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.

Does Disney still hire 2D animators?

Disney Animation Studios has largely shifted focus from traditional 2D animation to 3D computer-generated imagery, but they occasionally hire 2D animators for specific projects or legacy work. Opportunities for 2D animation roles are limited and often require strong skills in traditional techniques and relevant software like Toon Boom or Adobe Animate.
What are popular job titles related to Animation Developer jobs in Massachusetts? For Animation Developer jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Developer jobs in Massachusetts look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Developer jobs in Massachusetts are:
What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Animation Developer jobs? Cities in Massachusetts with the most Animation Developer job openings:
Animation Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Developer job openings in Massachusetts as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 38% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 32% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,855 per year, or $63.9 per hour.

Senior Gameplay Animator (Locomotion)

CD PROJEKT RED

Boston, MA • On-site

$115K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 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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