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Animation Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Provide and offer technical support and mentorship to animators, contributing to their development while promoting effective cross-disciplinary communication. * Regularly document processes and share ...

Provide and offer technical support and mentorship to animators, contributing to their development while promoting effective cross-disciplinary communication. * Regularly document processes and share ...

Jr. Animation Specialist

Hollis, NY · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Professional Development: Must participate actively in weekly professional development sessions to stay updated with each iteration of the stop-motion animation experience and modules as they evolve.

Empty Vessel is an emerging game development studio focusing on immersive gaming experiences. With ... We are seeking 1-2 mid-level Animation Engineers with exceptional Unreal Engine 5 expertise to join ...

We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development. ART What We Do Push ... You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build ...

Senior Animation Programmer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$118K - $217K/yr

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Animation Programmer to join our development efforts on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. The Senior Animation Programmer is responsible for ...

Senior Animation Programmer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$118K - $217K/yr

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Animation Programmer to join our development efforts on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. The Senior Animation Programmer is responsible for ...

CD PROJEKT RED is looking for a Senior Animation Programmer to join our development efforts on Cyberpunk 2, the next mainline Cyberpunk 2077 game. The Senior Animation Programmer is responsible for ...

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Animation Development information

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$50K

$107.7K

$173.5K

How much do animation development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 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.
Training Intern, DreamWorks Animation, Fall 2026

Training Intern, DreamWorks Animation, Fall 2026

DreamWorks Animation

Glendale, CA

$18.47/hr

Part-time, Internship

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 Training 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?” 

  • Gain knowledge on the role of the Training Department in the studio and an understanding of the training workflow for TV, Overhead, and Feature Departments (Animation, Effects, Surfacing, Matte Painting, etc).

  • Supervise virtual, hybrid, and onsite classes, track attendance, including data entry and Excel database maintenance, and record various classes with screen capture software. 

  • Edit recorded classes in Adobe Premiere. 

  • Tackle administrative tasks and design posters to promote training classes as needed. 

  • Encouraged to attend virtual training classes to learn about the animation pipeline as well as the software used to create our movies.

  • Can also have the opportunity to meet with artists from different departments and to further develop skills in areas of interest.

Qualifications

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

  • Experience with collecting/prioritizing data in Excel

  • Experience with video editing skills using software like Adobe Premiere

  • Basic design skills using software like Photoshop

  • Confidently looks to solve problems, handles time efficiently, and pays close attention to details

  • A great teammate with a can-do demeanor and strong communication skills

  • Proactive and has strong multi-tasking skills with efficient task prioritization

  • 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

  • Must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

Desired Characteristics: “What can I offer?”

  • Curiosity about animation or feature film production

  • Customer service skills preferred

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.