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Animation Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation development. * Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together:

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation development. * Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together:

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA

$124K - $142K/yr

Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation development. * Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together:

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Engage in research, gather reference materials, and document findings to share with the team, aiding in animation development. * Mentor, coach, and train more junior animators. What We'll Do Together:

Manager, Animation

Hartford, CT · On-site

$126K - $170K/yr

They are responsible for balancing creative and production priorities with efficiency, staff development, and long-term strategic planning. The Manager oversees animation staff, technology resources ...

New

Manager, Animation

Bristol, CT · On-site

$126K - $170K/yr

They are responsible for balancing creative and production priorities with efficiency, staff development, and long-term strategic planning. The Manager oversees animation staff, technology resources ...

Manager, Animation

Bristol, CT · On-site

$126K - $170K/yr

They are responsible for balancing creative and production priorities with efficiency, staff development, and long-term strategic planning. The Manager oversees animation staff, technology resources ...

Manager, Animation

Meriden, CT · On-site

$126K - $170K/yr

They are responsible for balancing creative and production priorities with efficiency, staff development, and long-term strategic planning. The Manager oversees animation staff, technology resources ...

New

Manager, Animation

Bridgeport, CT · On-site

$126K - $170K/yr

They are responsible for balancing creative and production priorities with efficiency, staff development, and long-term strategic planning. The Manager oversees animation staff, technology resources ...

New

Manager, Animation

Norwalk, CT · On-site

$126K - $170K/yr

They are responsible for balancing creative and production priorities with efficiency, staff development, and long-term strategic planning. The Manager oversees animation staff, technology resources ...

New

The 3D Animation Lead role involves managing and guiding a team of animators on a show, acting as ... Career development is important to us so we offer training and support opportunities whenever ...

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Animation Development information

See salary details

$50K

$107.7K

$173.5K

How much do animation development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation development in the United States is $107,697.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,000.00 and $121,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is Animation Development?

Animation development is the process of conceptualizing, planning, and outlining animated projects before full production begins. This phase involves creating story ideas, scripts, character designs, storyboards, and sometimes animatics to visualize the final product. Animation development is crucial for setting the creative direction and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned before significant resources are committed to production. It typically involves collaboration between writers, directors, producers, and artists. Successful development lays the groundwork for a smooth and efficient animation production process.

What are the typical challenges faced by professionals in Animation Development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Animation Development often encounter challenges such as aligning creative vision with production constraints, managing tight deadlines, and ensuring clear communication between artists, writers, and technical teams. To address these, it's important to develop strong project management and collaboration skills, stay adaptable to feedback, and be proactive in resolving issues early. Building fluency with industry-standard tools and keeping up with evolving animation trends can also help overcome common obstacles and contribute to a smoother production process.

What is the difference between Animation Development vs Animation Design?

AspectAnimation DevelopmentAnimation Design
Primary FocusCreating animated content through coding and technical processesDesigning visual styles and characters for animations
Skills RequiredProgramming, software engineering, technical animation toolsArt, illustration, storytelling, visual creativity
Work EnvironmentSoftware studios, tech companies, multimedia firmsDesign studios, advertising agencies, entertainment industry
Common CertificationsAnimation software certifications, programming coursesArt degrees, illustration certifications

Animation Development focuses on the technical creation of animated content, often involving coding and software engineering. In contrast, Animation Design emphasizes visual storytelling, character creation, and artistic design. Both roles are essential in the animation industry but serve different aspects of the production process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Animation Development, and why are they important?

To excel in Animation Development, you need strong artistic abilities, storytelling skills, and a background in animation or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree or portfolio. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, or Maya, along with knowledge of production pipelines, is typically required. Creativity, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and bringing stories to life. These competencies are essential for producing high-quality animations that captivate audiences and meet production standards.
More about Animation Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Animation Development jobs? Cities with the most Animation Development job openings:
What states have the most Animation Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Animation Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Animation Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $107,697 per year, or $51.8 per hour.
TV Development & Current Series, DreamWorks Animation, Fall 2026

TV Development & Current Series, DreamWorks Animation, Fall 2026

DreamWorks Animation

Glendale, CA

$18.47/hr

Part-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Company Description

DreamWorks Animation is looking for more adventurous dreamers who shoot for the moon. We tell stories about the journeys our unconventional heroes take to make dreams come true. As a growth-minded studio, we pride ourselves on being one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality, award-winning, animated films and series, reaching consumers around the globe. We push to feel more, laugh more, and build immersive new worlds.

DreamWorks creates a diverse array of original content in a variety of formats, delivering compelling stories with unique characters. We place tremendous value on the experiences our talent brings to the table from their own non-traditional paths to success. We believe in frequent communication and that transparency and trust yield the best work. We are a community of artists, technologists, innovators, and creators, who are passionate about animation and also happen to love eating lunch together.

In the DreamWorks Internship Program, interns work in an engaging and exciting environment alongside creative leaders and artists who are committed to building an inclusive and collaborative culture. Interns are immersed into TV and Feature animated productions while gaining hands-on experience at our studio. Open to students and recent grads, we love those who are driven and hungry to learn, are curious and resourceful, and most importantly, are passionate about animation. 

The Internship Program also showcases best-in-class opportunities by offering executive speaker series, professional/career development workshops, artistic classes, community outreach opportunities, movie screenings, and much more!

If you are part of the fandom and believe teamwork makes the dream work, join us in #livingthedream and #doingyourdreamwork!

Fall 2026 TV Development & Current Series Internship: 

  • Applications close: June 29, 2026 at 11:59pm PT

  • Program Dates: September 28 - December 3, 2026

  • Time Commitment: Part-Time (24 hours per week required)

  • Format: In Person (Tuesday - Thursday)

Job Description

Responsibilities: "What would you say you do here?”

  • The TV Development and Current Series Intern will shadow and be able to share their creative point of view on content with high-level executives on both sides of Development and Production

  • Gain exposure to areas including but not limited to: reading scripts, reviewing designs, and attending work-in-progress episode screenings

  • Research books, writers, and artists

  • Build pitch decks and work with the production teams to source assets for department presentations

  • Submit writers and pitches into the department's databases

  • Create a final presentation surrounding an approved theme they are passionate about and present it to executives at the end of their internship

  • This position will be exposed to the direct inner-workings of the television animation development and current process from beginning to end

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: “What do I need to have in order to do this job?”

  • Experience with Photoshop 

  • An interest in programming for all demos

  • Ability to transcribe recordings of meetings

  • Experienced with internet market research

  • Strong writing, communication and presentation skills

  • Pursuing an Associate, Bachelor or Graduate degree at a College/University (or equivalent), or be a recent graduate (within six months of graduation date)

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

  • Must be willing to work in Glendale, California

  • Ability to provide own relocation, housing and transportation

  • Authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

Desired Qualifications: “What can I offer?”

  • Curiosity about animation is a plus.

  • Knowledge of programs like Word and PowerPoint

  • Knowledge of programs like Excel and video editing software is preferred

  • Current class standing of Junior or above (or equivalent)

Hourly Rate:  $18.47

Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, which currently requires contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Beginning January 5, 2026, hybrid employees will be required to work from the office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.


Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.