ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Animation Developer Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

Ottawa Infotainment

UI/UX Design Intern

Detroit, MI · On-site

Youll work directly alongside experienced automotive HMI designers and engineers contributing to ... Motion graphics or animation * Blender, 3ds Max, or other 3D tools * Interest in automotive HMI or ...

Stellantis

UX Motion Design Lead

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$104K - $136K/yr

Create Motion Guides for communication to suppliers and developers * Use motion graphics and animation to bring the interfaces to life and better communicate the functionality to the user * Portfolio ...

General Motors

Senior Software Engineer - C++/UI

Warren, MI · Hybrid

$115K - $151K/yr

We are looking for a strong C++ Software Engineer to support development of next-generation ... Rendering pipeline, Frame timing/jank, Animation handling, Adaptive/responsive layouts, Multi ...

Stellantis

UX/UI Visual Designer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

Create Style Guides for communication to suppliers and developers * Use motion graphics and animation to bring the interfaces to life and better communicate the functionality to the user * Use ...

General Motors

Advanced Experience Designer

Warren, MI · Hybrid

... animations, and prototypes. Create user journeys/storyboards, 2D and 3D mock-ups, UI/UX prototypes, and proposed design solutions. Work closely with design partners, sculpting, engineering, and cross ...

General Motors

Advanced Experience Designer

Warren, MI · On-site

... animations, and prototypes. Create user journeys/storyboards, 2D and 3D mock-ups, UI/UX prototypes, and proposed design solutions. Work closely with design partners, sculpting, engineering, and cross ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAnimation Developer JobsAnimation Developer Jobs in Detroit, MI

Animation Developer information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$34

$57

$73

How much do animation developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation developer in Detroit, MI is $57.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52.02 and $63.65 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 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

UI/UX Design Intern

Ottawa Infotainment

Detroit, MI • On-site

Contractor

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Salary:

About Ottawa Infotainment

At Ottawa Infotainment, were building the next generation of intelligent vehicle platforms: rethinking the digital cockpit through high-performance compute, embedded software, safety-critical systems, and AI-driven experiences.

Our core platform, DragonFire OS, enables automakers to create customizable, software-defined cockpit experiences across a wide range of vehicles, from electric motorcycles to autonomous commercial fleets. From our Global HQ in Ottawa to our Detroit office inside Newlab at Michigan Central, we are engineering the future of mobility.

The Opportunity

Were looking for a UI/UX Design Intern to join our Product & UI/UX team at our Detroit office inside Newlab at Michigan Central.

This is not a traditional internship. Youll work directly alongside experienced automotive HMI designers and engineers contributing to real production vehicle programs, concept platforms, and next-generation cockpit experiences.

Youll help shape digital interfaces that may ultimately appear in production vehicles and major technology showcases, including CES 2027.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about mobility, interaction design, visual storytelling, and the future of software-defined vehicles.

What Youll Work On

  • Design next-generation digital cockpit experiences for automotive platforms
  • Create high-fidelity UI concepts for instrument clusters, infotainment systems, and connected vehicle experiences
  • Build scalable design systems and component libraries in Figma
  • Develop interactive prototypes demonstrating motion, transitions, and system behavior
  • Work on experiences spanning:
    • Electric and autonomous vehicles
    • Motorcycles and powersports
    • Commercial and fleet vehicles
    • Sports cars and premium passenger vehicles
  • Collaborate closely with hardware, embedded software, and systems engineering teams
  • Create journey maps, UX flows, wireframes, and storytelling artifacts
  • Participate in design reviews, research activities, and rapid concept development
  • Help shape the future visual identity of DragonFire OS and related platforms

What Were Looking For

  • Strong proficiency in Figma and interactive prototyping
  • Understanding of UI/UX fundamentals, information architecture, and visual design systems
  • Passion for automotive, mobility, consumer technology, or industrial design
  • Ability to think both creatively and systematically
  • Comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills

Bonus Experience

  • Android Automotive (AAOS)
  • Unity or 3D visualization tools
  • Motion graphics or animation
  • Blender, 3ds Max, or other 3D tools
  • Interest in automotive HMI or embedded interfaces
  • Experience building portfolio-quality prototype work

Why Join Oi

  • Work on real vehicle programs, not mock exercises
  • Design interfaces that could appear in production vehicles
  • Collaborate with experienced automotive UI/UX leaders
  • Join a startup moving at high speed while solving OEM-scale challenges
  • Work from Detroits innovation hub inside Newlab at Michigan Central
  • Help shape the future of software-defined vehicles and intelligent mobility