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Animation Mentor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tencent

Principal Technical Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$138K - $261K/yr

As a core expert in technical animation, mentor and develop team members. * Drive technical alignment and effective collaboration across disciplines (Animation, Design, Engineering, Engine). * Lead ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site +1

The 3D Animation Lead role involves managing and guiding a team of animators on a show, acting as ... Previous experience mentoring or leading a team * Thorough knowledge of Maya * An understanding of ...

Leland

Animation & CGI Coach

$108K - $123K/yr

Ideal candidates have significant professional experience in animation or CGI (studio, freelance, or a combination), prior mentoring or teaching experience, and a clear, structured approach to ...

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA

$108K - $161K/yr

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

2K

Senior Technical Animation Designer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$108K - $161K/yr

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

Daybreak Games

Principal Animator

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $180K/yr

As a leader on the animation team, you will mentor junior and mid-level animators, establish best practices, define animation pipelines, and serve as the authority on animation craft within the ...

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

Mentor and support other animators, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and craft excellence What we're looking for * Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with ...

Flying Bark Productions

3D Animation Lead

Denver, NC · On-site

The 3D Animation Lead role involves managing and guiding a team of animators on a show, acting as ... Previous experience mentoring or leading a team * Thorough knowledge of Maya * An understanding of ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Provide regular feedback in partnership with the Animation Director, mentoring animators, onboarding and developing team members, and serving as a trusted resource for creative guidance and support.

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Provide regular feedback in partnership with the Animation Director, mentoring animators, onboarding and developing team members, and serving as a trusted resource for creative guidance and support.

IGT

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Spearhead the creation of specialized animation techniques supporting advanced game mechanics such as progressive bonuses, jackpots, immersive bonus rounds, and attract sequences. * Mentor and coach ...

Progressive Gaming

Animator IV

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$105K - $120K/yr

Spearhead the creation of specialized animation techniques supporting advanced game mechanics such as progressive bonuses, jackpots, immersive bonus rounds, and attract sequences. * Mentor and coach ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Provide regular feedback in partnership with the Animation Director, mentoring animators, onboarding and developing team members, and serving as a trusted resource for creative guidance and support.

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Animation Mentor information

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How much do animation mentor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation mentor in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Animation Mentor job?

An Animation Mentor is an experienced animator who guides and supports aspiring animators by providing feedback, industry insights, and technical advice. They help students improve their animation skills, understand industry best practices, and develop a strong portfolio. Mentors often work with individuals or groups in structured programs, online courses, or studio training sessions. Their goal is to bridge the gap between learning and professional animation work by offering real-world expertise and constructive critique.

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

To thrive as an Animation Mentor, you need advanced animation expertise, a strong portfolio, and prior teaching or industry experience, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Autodesk Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, and animation review platforms is typically expected. Exceptional communication, patience, and the ability to give constructive feedback are standout soft skills in this position. These skills are crucial for effectively guiding and inspiring aspiring animators, fostering their technical growth, and preparing them for careers in animation.

What are the most common challenges an Animation Mentor may face, and how are they addressed?

Animation Mentors often encounter challenges such as supporting diverse skill levels among students, adapting teaching styles to various learning needs, and staying up-to-date with evolving animation techniques. Addressing these challenges involves a combination of clear, flexible instruction methods, ongoing professional development, and open communication with mentees. Many mentors collaborate closely with other instructors, participate in industry workshops, and leverage online resources to continuously enhance their mentoring effectiveness. Successfully navigating these challenges not only improves the mentees’ learning experience but also contributes to the mentor’s own professional growth and satisfaction.

More about Animation Mentor jobs
What cities are hiring for Animation Mentor jobs? Cities with the most Animation Mentor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Mentor jobs? The most popular types of Animation Mentor jobs are:
What states have the most Animation Mentor jobs? States with the most job openings for Animation Mentor jobs include:
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Animation Mentor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Mentor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% As Needed, 49% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 10% Nights. Highlights an 68% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 28% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Principal Technical Animator

LightSpeed Studios

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$138K - $261K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Business UnitLIGHTSPEED STUDIOS is made up of passionate players who advance the art & science of game development through great stories, great gameplay, and advanced technology. We are focused on bringing next generation experiences to gamers who want to enjoy them anywhere, anytime, across multiple genres and devices.About the Hiring TeamMade up of many top game industry veterans as well as young and inspiring talents, Lightspeed Art Department works on all of Lightspeed's creative projects, providing artists and support from concept design, 3D modeling, animation, VFX design, technical art, cinematics, comics, and more. With a profound love for games, our Art Department is committed to exploring how the latest, cutting-edge technology can be applied to the artistic projects we oversee. We do our utmost to create future-oriented IP, improving the visual quality of our studio's games.What the Role Entails
  • Lead the architecture design of animation state machines, animation trees, and animation pipelines.
  • Establish technical specifications and best practices; provide clear technical roadmaps for the team.
  • Dive deep into complex technical challenges within animation systems.
  • Drive the adoption and production deployment of cutting-edge animation technologies (Motion Matching, procedural animation, physics-based animation) in AAA projects.
  • Build animation quality review mechanisms and evaluation systems.
  • Systematically ensure and elevate the ceiling of in-game animation quality.
  • As a core expert in technical animation, mentor and develop team members.
  • Drive technical alignment and effective collaboration across disciplines (Animation, Design, Engineering, Engine).
  • Lead the engine integration of complex animation systems.
  • Solve end-to-end technical challenges from DCC toolchains to runtime.
  • Ensure the delivery of highest-quality animations.
  • Stay current with cutting-edge technology trends, evaluate the feasibility of new technologies, and provide forward-looking technical roadmap recommendations for the team.
Who We Look For
  • 8+ years of game industry experience.
  • 5+ years of technical animation experience on AAA projects.
  • Proven track record of leading complete animation system architecture design.
  • Proficient with animation DCC software such as Maya.
  • Capable of producing top-tier quality animations independently.
  • Deep understanding of animation principles.
  • Expert in animation state machine and animation tree architecture design and performance optimization.
  • Hands-on experience with large-scale state machine optimization.
  • Deep understanding of game engine (Unreal Engine) animation system internals, performance bottlenecks, and resolution strategies.
  • Excellent technical communication and influence; able to drive technical decisions and effectively persuade cross-functional teams.

Nice to have:

  • Experience with DCC tool development or engine-side development (C++ / Blueprints).
  • Hands-on experience with cutting-edge directions such as Motion Matching, Control Rig, procedural animation, physics-based animation.

Location State(s)

US-California-Los AngelesThe expected base pay range for this position in the location(s) listed above is $138,800.00 to $261,400.00 per year. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Employees hired for this position may be eligible for a sign on payment, relocation package, and restricted stock units, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Subject to the terms and conditions of the plans in effect, hired applicants are also eligible for medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits, and participation in the Company's 401(k) plan. The Employee is also eligible for up to 15 to 25 days of vacation per year (depending on the employee's tenure), up to 13 days of holidays throughout the calendar year, and up to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. Your benefits may be adjusted to reflect your location, employment status, duration of employment with the company, and position level. Benefits may also be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.Equal Employment Opportunity at Tencent

As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diverse voices fuel our innovation and allow us to better serve our users and the community. We foster an environment where every employee of Tencent feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.

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