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Animation Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Animation Programmer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$118K - $217K/yr

The Senior Animation Programmer is responsible for the implementation of CDPR-specific extensions and animation technology while working with the code for Unreal Engine's animation technology, tools ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Animation Programmer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$118K - $217K/yr

The Senior Animation Programmer is responsible for the implementation of CDPR-specific extensions and animation technology while working with the code for Unreal Engine's animation technology, tools ...

CD PROJEKT RED

Senior Animation Programmer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

The Senior Animation Programmer is responsible for the implementation of CDPR-specific extensions and animation technology while working with the code for Unreal Engine's animation technology, tools ...

AGBO Films LLC

Principal Animation Engineer

AGBO is seeking a Principal Animation Engineer to lead the technical vision and development of animation systems for our interactive projects. This role focuses on building scalable, high-performance ...

De Circle

Animation Engineer - EmptyVessel

Austin, TX · On-site +1

We are seeking 1-2 mid-level Animation Engineers with exceptional Unreal Engine 5 expertise to join our team in Europe. The ideal candidates will possess a strong background in animating within ...

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

$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 ...

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 ...

That's No Moon Entertainment

OR

$120K - $145K/yr

Be proactive with troubleshooting any animation workflow, rigging and pipeline issues * Communicate effectively with animators, engineers, realization team, and design, to give and accept feedback ...

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Animation Programmer information

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$12

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How much do animation programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation programmer in the United States is $39.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.72 and $51.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Animation Programmer vs 3D Animator?

AspectAnimation Programmer3D Animator
Required SkillsProgramming, scripting, technical knowledge of animation pipelinesArtistic skills, character animation, storytelling
Work EnvironmentGame studios, software companies, technical teamsGame studios, film, advertising, freelance
Tools & SoftwareUnity, Unreal Engine, scripting languagesMaya, Blender, 3ds Max
FocusImplementing animation systems, optimizing performanceCreating and refining character animations

While both roles involve animation, an Animation Programmer focuses on coding and technical implementation of animations within software, whereas a 3D Animator emphasizes creating artistic character movements. Understanding these differences helps employers and professionals identify the right skill set for each role.

How do Animation Programmers typically collaborate with animators and game designers during a project?

Animation Programmers work closely with animators to ensure that character movements and environmental animations are seamlessly integrated into the game engine. They often participate in regular meetings with animators and designers to discuss technical constraints, workflow improvements, and creative solutions for complex animation systems. This collaboration ensures that artistic vision aligns with technical feasibility, resulting in smooth, responsive animations. Effective communication and an understanding of both creative and technical perspectives are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animation Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animation Programmer, you need strong programming skills in languages like C++ or Python, a solid understanding of mathematics (especially linear algebra), and experience with animation systems in game engines. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unreal Engine, Unity, and Autodesk Maya, as well as relevant APIs and scripting languages, is typically required. Creativity, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the creation of smooth, realistic animations and seamless integration with gameplay, which are vital for engaging and immersive user experiences.

What are animation programmers?

Animation programmers are software developers who specialize in creating and implementing animation systems within video games or interactive media. They work closely with animators and designers to ensure that character and object movements are smooth, realistic, and responsive. Their responsibilities often include building tools for animators, optimizing animation performance, and integrating animations with game mechanics. Animation programmers use programming languages like C++ or C# and often work with game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
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Animation Programmer jobs near you

Senior Animation Programmer

CD PROJEKT RED

Boston, MA • On-site, Remote

$118K - $217K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Company Description
To create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of gamers - this is our mission. Want to dive deeper into our company's culture? Explore our social media and check out our YouTube channel where we share behind-the-scenes insights and stories direct from our team members!
Job Description
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 the implementation of CDPR-specific extensions and animation technology while working with the code for Unreal Engine's animation technology, tools, and pipelines. Through utilizing strong collaboration skills to align with cross-functional partners, you'll collaborate closely with animators, designers, character artists, and gameplay engineers. This role is key to bringing the world and characters to life, directly enhancing the player experience. You will be instrumental in a variety of areas, including creating large animated crowds with intricate behaviors, implementing complex interaction mechanics that seamlessly integrate animations into the environment, and developing realistic character reactions for deep narrative sequences.
Daily Responsibilities:
  • Developing bespoke animation systems and extensions for Unreal 5 animation systems to support character locomotion & lifelike behaviors, object & world interaction, large animated crowds, and more.
  • Developing gameplay mechanics related to locomotion and animation.
  • working daily in close collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues, including other engineers, designers, and animators.
  • Writing readable, high quality, efficient C++ code.
  • Maintaining, debugging, profiling, and bug fixing code to achieve the best quality and performance.
  • Documenting code and work, creating debug tools for other developers, creating tests to cover existing functionality.

Qualifications
  • 5+ years of practical expertise in designing and implementing modern game animation systems.
  • Thorough understanding of how animations are integrated in complex animation blend trees and state graphs.
  • Understanding of IK systems and their interaction with traditional FK solutions to ground characters in the environment.
  • Knowledge of modern game animation systems architectures.
  • Deep knowledge of C++.
  • Advanced math & algorithmic skills required to implement bespoke animation algorithms and functionality.
  • Advanced knowledge of multithreading practices and algorithms.
  • Thorough understanding of the overall character animation & geometry deformation stack.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Nice to have
  • Solid foundation in Unreal Engine 5, specifically, features and systems related to animation.
  • Knowledge of motion-matching technology.
  • Experience in creating a AAA title for game consoles, debugging and profiling these games in a console environment.
  • Proven track record of addressing performance issues related to large numbers of animated NPCs.
  • Experience developing systems accelerated by GPUs.

Additional Information
The application window for this position will close by 10/30/2026.
This job can be hybrid/in-office or fully remote.
Remote roles in the US are only available to candidates that reside in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin.
Health & Well-Being
  • Company-paid medical healthcare (dental, vision, and mental).
  • Free mental health support, including access to counseling, psychiatric care, and a variety of well-being webinars.
  • Paid leave - 26 days of vacation, 10 sick days, & 12 calendar holidays per year.
  • 401K with employer matching.
  • Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) - $100 per month to use towards fitness, wellness, internet, home office equipment, learning, streaming services, and more.
  • Menstrual leave - employees who menstruate can take one extra day off when experiencing period pain.
  • RED Parents Network - support for working parents.
  • Flexible working hours.

Perks & Professional Growth
  • Trainings, lectures, and courses - internal workshops, knowledge-sharing initiatives, online tutorials, and e-learning classes are all available.
  • A welcome pack filled with goodies - to help you feel right at home once you join the team.

Life in the Office
  • Dog-friendly office - bring your pooch with you and look after them while working! There's always a furry friend or two to meet.
  • Truly international working environment - a chance to meet and work with a diverse selection of people from all around the world.
  • No dress-code - we like to keep it casual.

This position is a new role.
Estimated pay range for this position: $118,800 - $217,800 USD annually.
At CD PROJEKT RED compensation for our roles in North America are determined based on competitive market data, geographic location, and individual factors tied to business needs. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. Final offers are dependent on job-related factors like experience, qualifications, and location.
If you've observed any irregularities (i.e. legal or ethical violations) in our recruitment process, please click here to report them anonymously.
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