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Animation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA

Iterate quickly based on feedback from animation leads, designers, and engineers * Export animations properly for Roblox Studio integration (using compatible formats and best practices) * Use ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

... animation systems * Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints. * Iterate and refine animations based on feedback ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA

$88K - $120K/yr

... animation systems * Collaborate with the design and engineering teams to ensure animations align with gameplay mechanics and technical constraints. * Iterate and refine animations based on feedback ...

Tencent

Principal Technical Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$138K - $261K/yr

Drive technical alignment and effective collaboration across disciplines (Animation, Design, Engineering, Engine). * Lead the engine integration of complex animation systems. * Solve end-to-end ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand-keyed work will fit seamlessly with motion capture * Join forces with designers and engineers to create ...

Ten4

Senior Gaming Animator

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$129K - $148K/yr

Drive animation performance without pushing out of a believable and realistic style; your hand-keyed work will fit seamlessly with motion capture * Join forces with designers and engineers to create ...

Roblox

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

Iterate quickly based on feedback from animation leads, designers, and engineers * Export animations properly for Roblox Studio integration (using compatible formats and best practices) * Use ...

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All JobsAnimation Engineer JobsAnimation Engineer Jobs in California

Animation Engineer information

See California salary details

$79.9K

$143.5K

$202.3K

How much do animation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 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:
What job categories do people searching Animation Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Animation Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Animation Engineer job openings:
Animation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $143,455 per year, or $69 per hour.
3D Animator (Short Term)

3D Animator (Short Term)

Roblox

San Mateo, CA

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

We're seeking a talented Senior 3D Animator to join our team at Roblox for a 6-month engagement. You'll focus on creating high-quality, foundational character animations for the Roblox platform-specifically basic ability and locomotion sets that bring avatars to life with polish and personality.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to core Roblox avatar experiences used by millions of players worldwide.

You Will:
  • Create and refine a suite of standard locomotion and ability animations, including:
    • Idle poses (variations for personality/stance)
    • Walk, run, sprint cycles
    • Jump, land, fall animations
    • Other basic movement/ability actions as needed
  • Deliver clean, weighty, and expressive animations optimized for Roblox's avatar system (R15 preferred)
  • Iterate quickly based on feedback from animation leads, designers, and engineers
  • Export animations properly for Roblox Studio integration (using compatible formats and best practices)
  • Use SyncSketch (or similar) for review and approval workflows
You Have:
  • Strong experience in character animation, with a focus on creating believable, game-ready locomotion and action animations
  • Excellent acting skills through motion-conveying emotion, weight, timing, and personality in movement
  • Proficiency in FACS-based facial animation (Facial Action Coding System) or equivalent high-quality facial rigging/expression work
  • Expert-level skills in Autodesk Maya for animation production and Tools
  • Familiarity with SyncSketch (or comparable online review/approval tools)
  • Proven track record creating animations for video games (mobile, PC, or console experience a plus)
  • Strong sense of timing, weight, anticipation, follow-through, and polish in game animation principles

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