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Animation Programmer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and ... Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and ... Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and ... Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We are a diverse team of developers driven by a passion for our art, united by our core values and ... Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

Socket.dev

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123 - $182/hr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

New

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams to realize our creative ambitions. Together, we will stay current on technological advancements and ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually ...

Jam City Inc

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90 - $110/hr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually ...

Bonfire Studios, Inc

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site

$196.50 - $247.13/hr

Partnering with cross‑discipline leads (design, engineering, art, production) to align animation with gameplay systems, technical realities, and the overall player experience. * Owning combat feel ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA

Partnering with cross-discipline leads (design, engineering, art, production) to align animation with gameplay systems, technical realities, and the overall player experience. * Owning combat feel ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA

$90K - $110K/yr

As a leading mobile games developer, Jam City is looking to "level up" our talent. We're on the ... You will work alongside our world-class animation team to create intuitive rigs and visually ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAnimation Programmer JobsAnimation Programmer Jobs in California

Animation Programmer information

See California salary details

$11

$39

$67

How much do animation programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for animation programmer in California is $39.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.38 and $50.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animation programmer?

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.

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 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Programmer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Animation Programmer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Animation Programmer jobs in California?

For Animation Programmer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animation Programmer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Animation Programmer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Animation Programmer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Animation Programmer job openings:

Animation Programmer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Programmer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 10% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,158 per year, or $39 per hour.

Principal Gameplay Animator

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 hours ago

Job description

Summary
We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to help define and deliver the animation quality, style, and feel of our AAA open world action-adventure game. As a creative and technical contributor, you will create exceptional gameplay animations, establish animation standards, and partner closely with Design, Engineering, Art, and Narrative teams to ensure that our animations are fluid, realistic, and enhance the overall gameplay.
This role combines hands-on animation development with leadership through craft. You will be expected to solve complex gameplay animation challenges, mentor other animators, influence animation pipelines and workflows, and help shape the overall player experience through world-class character performance and movement.
Core Responsibilities
  • Create high-quality gameplay animations that establish the visual and gameplay standard for all characters, creatures, and object animations.
  • Drive the development of locomotion, traversal, combat, interaction, and systemic animation content; review animation content and help maintain consistent quality and artistic direction across all gameplay features.
  • Collaborate with the Animation Director to define the animation style and direction.
  • Partner with Design and Engineering teams to implement animation systems that enhance gameplay feel, responsiveness, and player immersion.
  • Work closely with Technical Animation to improve pipelines, tools, and workflows.
  • Help establish efficient workflows that balance visual quality, gameplay requirements, and technical constraints.
  • Provide feedback and mentorship to other animators.
  • Ensure animations meet performance and memory constraints for different platforms.
  • Partner with outsource and co-development teams to review deliverables and ensure quality standards are met.
  • Stay current with industry trends and techniques in animation.

Core Qualifications
  • 7+ years of experience in animation within the video game industry.
  • Proficiency in Maya and other industry-standard animation tools.
  • Multiple shipped AAA titles in a gameplay animation role.
  • Strong understanding of Unreal Engine 5 animation systems, including Animation Blueprints, State Machines, Blend Spaces, Control Rig, and Motion Matching workflows.
  • Strong understanding of anatomy, motion, and weight in animation.
  • Experience with both keyframe animation and motion capture techniques.
  • Proven track record of leading animation teams and delivering high-quality content.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments and communicate effectively.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities with a balance of artistic vision and technical execution.
  • Self-motivated, organized, and able to drive complex initiatives with minimal oversight.

Plus if...
  • Experience developing animation systems AAA titles or games with a focus on realistic animation.
  • Experience with creature animation and complex character rigs.
  • Deep knowledge of traversal and combat animation.
  • Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, and physics-driven systems.
  • Experience building or improving animation pipelines and tools.
  • Experience working with external vendors and co-development partners.
  • Passion for open world gameplay, player expression, and immersive character performance.

Description
  • Full-time job with benefits.
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeways.

The base pay range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

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