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Animation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and ... What We Need: We are looking for a Senior Technical Animation Designer to be responsible for ...

TechLink Systems

Flash - Animator

Torrance, CA · On-site

... animation and mobile content, and in object-oriented designed methodologies and programming languages is a must (e.g. ActionScript, CSV, XML, and HTML5, etc.) Bachelor's degree or equivalent in ...

TechLink Systems

Flash - Animator

Torrance, CA

... animation and mobile content, and in object-oriented designed methodologies and programming languages is a must (e.g. ActionScript, CSV, XML, and HTML5, etc.) Bachelor's degree or equivalent in ...

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and ... What We Need: We are looking for a Senior Technical Animation Designer to be responsible for ...

Epic Games

Animation Systems Programmer

Larkspur, CA · On-site

$167K - $245K/yr

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for an experienced Animation Systems Programmer for our Special Projects team. As a member of our team, you will play a critical role in driving future projects ...

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Animation Engineer information

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$79.9K

$143.5K

$202.3K

How much do animation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation engineer in California is $143,455.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $170,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Will 3D animation be replaced by AI?

As an Animation Engineer, 3D animation is unlikely to be fully replaced by AI, but AI tools are increasingly used to assist with tasks like rendering, motion capture, and procedural animation. Human creativity, technical skills, and understanding of storytelling remain essential in producing high-quality animations. AI can enhance efficiency but does not eliminate the need for skilled professionals in the field.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Animation Engineer?

As an Animation Engineer, your day-to-day tasks often include developing and optimizing animation systems, collaborating with animators and designers to implement new features, and troubleshooting technical issues related to character or object animation. You may also write scripts and tools to streamline animation workflows or assist in integrating animations into game engines or production software. Regular communication with both artistic and technical team members is essential to ensure that animations look and perform as intended. This collaborative environment supports innovation and continuous improvement, making each project engaging and dynamic.

Does Disney still hire 2D animators?

Disney Animation continues to hire 2D animators, especially for projects that preserve traditional animation techniques. While the industry has shifted toward digital and 3D animation, Disney maintains a team of skilled 2D artists for specific productions and legacy work.

What is an Animation Engineer job?

An Animation Engineer is a technical specialist who develops and optimizes animation systems for video games, films, and interactive media. They work closely with animators and software developers to create smooth, efficient, and realistic animations using programming languages, game engines, and animation tools. Their responsibilities often include developing animation rigs, physics-based movement, and real-time character interactions. Strong coding skills, knowledge of animation principles, and experience with tools like Maya, Blender, or Unreal Engine are essential for this role.

How much do animation engineers make?

Animation engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Skilled professionals with expertise in 3D modeling, rigging, and animation software like Maya or Blender tend to earn higher salaries, especially in competitive markets or specialized fields such as gaming or film production.

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

To thrive as an Animation Engineer, you need strong programming skills—often in C++, Python, and graphics APIs—paired with a solid understanding of computer graphics, mathematics, and animation principles. Proficiency with tools like Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine, and experience working with animation pipelines or real-time rendering systems are typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, teamwork, and clear communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure seamless integration of technical and artistic requirements, efficient collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and the creation of high-quality animated experiences.

What does an Animation Engineer do?

An Animation Engineer designs and develops animated content for video games, films, or virtual environments by creating algorithms and tools to generate realistic or stylized animations. They often work with programming languages, animation software, and physics simulations to ensure smooth, efficient motion and integration with other digital assets.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Animation Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Animation Engineer jobs in California? For Animation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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Animation Engineer jobs near you
Senior Simulation Animation Engineer - Special Projects

Senior Simulation Animation Engineer - Special Projects

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

$130K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 666 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other's ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something - you'll add something.
Description
As as Senior Simulation Animation Engineer you will have an opportunity to be part of an innovation-focused organization within Apple that is developing simulations and generating synthetic data. You will be able to work on highly ambitious and impactful simulation projects. This team has a strong focus on enabling AIML-based features and products. Our ideal team member brings experience but is also fearless when it comes to trying new things and is willing to iterate on ideas. We value team members who can quickly prototype, iterating all the way to high-quality implementations. Moreover, we value team members who can collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across the organization.
Minimum Qualifications
4 years of professional experience.
Strong proficiency in C++ and solid software engineering fundamentals.
Knowledge of animation principles, skeletal animation, and character rigging concepts.
Experience implementing animation graphs, blend systems, runtime animation retargeting, and IK solvers.
Familiarity with profiling, optimization, and debugging in a real-time environment.
Good communication skills and ability to collaborate with animators, designers, and engineers.
Experience with a major game engine.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with USD format and tools, especially for animation
Experience in video game real time animation systems
Experience with offline animation and rendering pipelines
Experience with hair and cloth simulations

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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