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Animation Development Jobs in Burbank, CA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Technical Gameplay Animator

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$119K - $135K/yr

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 ...

This role will help lead the development of animation assets to support the execution of the overall production's creative vision. This is an Expression of Interest role. Key Responsibilities: * Show ...

Production Accountant - Animation

Burbank, CA ยท On-site

$145.60 - $166.40/hr

Own end-to-end production accounting across development, production, and post-production phases ... Adult Animation production accounting experience. * Direct experience interfacing with network ...

Qualified candidate must be competent in compiling 2D/3D illustration sequences, video, web and mobile content development. 5+ years of experience in building interactive Flash animation and mobile ...

Qualified candidate must be competent in compiling 2D/3D illustration sequences, video, web and mobile content development. 5+ years of experience in building interactive Flash animation and mobile ...

Showing results 21-40

Animation Development information

See Burbank, CA salary details

$53.5K

$115.2K

$185.6K

How much do animation development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation development in Burbank, CA is $115,206.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,100.00 and $130,000.00 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 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.

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 job categories do people searching Animation Development jobs in Burbank, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Animation Development jobs in Burbank, CA are:

What cities near Burbank, CA are hiring for Animation Development jobs?

Cities near Burbank, CA with the most Animation Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Animation Development job openings in Burbank, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,206 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Senior Technical Gameplay Animator

Naughty Dog

Santa Monica, CA โ€ข On-site

$119K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

This is a hybrid / onsite position.ย ย 

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.ย 

What you will do:

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

What skills you will use:ย 

  • 5+ years of industry experience in gameplay animation for games
  • Proven track record of creating visually stunning animations for diverse game genres
  • 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
  • Proficiency in Python, C#, C++ or other programming languages is required
  • 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.ย 

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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.