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Animation Developer Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

Stardock Corporation

Senior Graphics Engineer

Plymouth, MI · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Develop systems for animations and special effects. * Work with the technical art team to create ... Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or equivalent work experience. * 5+ ...

Stardock

Senior Graphics Engineer

Plymouth, MI · On-site

$100K/yr

Develop systems for animations and special effects. * Work with the technical art team to create ... Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or equivalent work experience. * 5+ ...

Hitachi

Simulation Engineer

Lake Orion, MI · On-site +1

Provide high quality realistic imaging and 3D animation videos for marketing. Note: This list of ... Programming experience is preferred. * Strong mechanical aptitude with a focus on safety and ...

Hitachi

Simulation Engineer

Lake Orion, MI · On-site +1

Provide high quality realistic imaging and 3D animation videos for marketing. Note: This list of ... Programming experience is preferred. * Strong mechanical aptitude with a focus on safety and ...

Optimal Inc.

Exterior Lighting Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

The Exterior Lighting Engineer is a multi-disciplinary technical authority responsible for the ... and lighting animations. * AUTOSAR & Cyber Security Compliance: Ensure software architecture ...

Magna

Integrated Lighting Systems Engineer

Troy, MI · On-site

... animations, light guides, light pipes, projection features, and smart surfaces. Ensure customer ... Prepare and maintain engineering deliverables including system specifications, sub-system ...

Magna

Integrated Lighting Systems Engineer

Troy, MI · On-site

The Integrated Lighting Systems Engineer develops integrated lighting solutions for exterior ... animations, light guides, light pipes, projection features, and smart surfaces. • Ensure customer ...

General Motors

Designer - In Vehicle

Warren, MI · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

... animations, and prototypes to clearly communicate design intent * Release production specifications and assets to software engineering teams * Present design work to peers, partners, and leadership

Optimal Inc.

Electrical Lighting Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

... and lighting animations. * AUTOSAR & Cyber Security Compliance: Ensure software architecture ... Electrical Engineering - Ability to manage a supplier for deliverables and confirm the hardware ...

New

Optimal

Electrical Lighting Engineer

Dearborn, MI · On-site

$110 - $155/hr

... and lighting animations. * AUTOSAR & Cyber Security Compliance: Ensure software architecture ... Electrical Engineering - Ability to manage a supplier for deliverables and confirm the hardware ...

New

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAnimation Developer JobsAnimation Developer Jobs in Detroit, MI

Animation Developer information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$32

$53

$68

How much do animation developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation developer in Detroit, MI is $53.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48.17 and $58.94 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 Detroit, MI?

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

What job categories do people searching Animation Developer jobs in Detroit, MI look for?

The top searched job categories for Animation Developer jobs in Detroit, MI are:

Animation Developer jobs near you

Senior Graphics Engineer

Stardock Corporation

Plymouth, MI

$100K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Stardock released the first DirectX 12 game as well as the first game to support both DirectX 12 and Vulkan. We are currently seeking a full-time Senior Graphics Engineer to work on our next generation game engine for both announced and unannounced titles to build up our team of dedicated and experienced talent! This is a salaried, full-time position at our Plymouth, Michigan office and relocation assistance will be provided.


Primary Responsibilities Include:

  • Develop and implement new and existing rendering techniques.
  • Create and optimize shaders and materials to run on a variety of platforms and machine specifications.
  • Develop systems for animations and special effects.
  • Work with the technical art team to create editors and tools that help improve the art pipeline.
  • Implement graphics using modern APIs (DirectX, OpenGL, Vulkan, Metal).


Education and/or Experience Desired:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics or equivalent work experience.
  • 5+ years experience creating materials and shaders.
  • Strong proficiency in 3D math, linear algebra, shaders, HLSL/GLSL, physically based rendering, image based lighting, materials and global illumination.
  • A passion for optimization and familiarity with optimization tools.
  • Self-motivated, likes to identify and solve problems.
  • Very strong C++ background.
  • Familiarity with Unreal Engine is a plus.


The salary for this position ranges from $100,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on your qualifications, experience, and expertise. Stardock is committed to offering a competitive compensation package tailored to the right candidate.

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