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Animation Mentor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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.

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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.

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

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 ...

teamLFG

Staff Gameplay Animator

OR · On-site +1

Assume primary ownership of broad character animation deliverables, including locomotion, abilities, interactions, and emotes * Mentor other animators about animation style and implementation

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site

Leading and mentoring a lean animation team, fostering autonomy, accountability, and growth through clear expectations, constructive feedback, and thoughtful development. * Balancing leadership with ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

Leading and mentoring a lean animation team, fostering autonomy, accountability, and growth through clear expectations, constructive feedback, and thoughtful development. * Balancing leadership with ...

Bsu

Instructor of Animation

Muncie, IN · On-site

$3.0K - $9.0K/wk

Instructor of Animation Compensation: $3000-$9000 per course Department: School of Art - Temp Start ... Course development support and pedagogical mentoring will be offered. All instructors are expected ...

teamLFG

Staff Gameplay Animator

$144K - $217K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Assume primary ownership of broad character animation deliverables, including locomotion, abilities, interactions, and emotes * Mentor other animators about animation style and implementation

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Animation Mentor information

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$10

$39

$70

How much do animation mentor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 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?

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 as an Animation Mentor?

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.

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Animation Mentor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Mentor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Lead Animator

2K

San Mateo, CA • On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Who We are:
We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and inspired by a culture of inclusivity to build amazing games that thrill players everywhere. We pursue growth and innovation in an environment of safety and trust. Our culture is built on the belief that the more varied voices in our collective will strengthen our team and our games. We are looking for our next teammate who will raise our bar and make us better.
What We Need:
We are seeking a Lead Animator to lead by example through high-quality animation work while gaining leadership duties. You will help drive the project's visual style by providing regular feedback, mentoring team members, and contributing to the overall quality and success of the team's output. In this role, you'll collaborate closely with technical artists, game designers, producers, engineers, animators, and other cross-functional partners to bring creative ideas and gameplay experiences to life.
What You'll Do:
  • Create high-quality in-game animations that support responsive, polished gameplay.
  • Implement animations directly in Unreal using the project's animation system and Blueprints.
  • Set up animation blends, overlays, events, and related systems in Unreal.
  • Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning.
  • Develop quick animation prototypes for new gameplay features, such as combat abilities, character actions, or animatic sequences.
  • Help define, maintain, and elevate the animation style and quality bar by creating clear examples, documenting standards, and sharing best practices with the team.
  • 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.
  • Interpret and translate direction from directors and creative leads into clear, actionable animation goals.
  • Help to organize and assign sub-team tasks based on individual strengths and project deadlines, assisting the Director in creating realistic timelines that balance delivery with team growth.
  • Partner with Technical Animation to explore and refine locomotion and overall character motion, ensuring the smoothest and most polished player experience possible.
  • Collaborate closely with Production on roadmap planning, task estimation, and risk assessment, while balancing competing priorities and adjusting workflows to accommodate evolving project requirements.
  • Escalate issues to the Animation Director when artistic decisions or direction are needed.
What Will Make You a Great Fit:
  • 6-8+ years of experience in game development, including at least one shipped AAA title in an animation role.
  • 2-4+ years of experience in a leadership role and/or mentoring experience.
  • Familiar with Unreal Engine, including animation systems, asset integration, and runtime considerations, with advanced knowledge of Maya.
  • Nimble and able to prioritize and problem-solve quickly, while responding effectively to creative redirection.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills within and across fields, with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
  • An animation reel that demonstrates high-quality hand-keyed animation.
  • Experience working with Perforce and managing assets in large-scale, multi-team environments.
Bonus Qualifications:
  • Experience leveraging Google Sheets/Excel to organize asset inventories, monitor production status, and facilitate coordination and visibility across departments.
  • Experience creating cinematic sequences, character performances, and story-driven animation that enhances narrative and emotional impact.

The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $123,200 and $182,360 per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.
Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program.
Regular, full-time employees are also eligible for a range of benefits at the Company, including: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time per calendar year (ranging from 15 to 25 days) or eligibility to participate in the Company's discretionary time off program; up to 10 paid sick days per calendar year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs for mental health and other wellness support; family planning support through Maven; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness-related expenses. Ontario only: The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy.
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