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Animation Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

You will act as a bridge between animation and engineering - helping to define workflows, shape systems, and solve complex problems at the intersection of gameplay and motion. This role requires both ...

Epic Games

Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

Collaborate with Design and Engineering to troubleshoot and resolve in-game animation issues and technical challenges * Identify opportunities to improve the animation pipeline and workflow, and ...

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Animation Programmer information

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How much do animation programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 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
Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Gameplay Animator (Senior/Principal)

Bonfire Studios

Irvine, CA • On-site, Remote

$113K - $129K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

What's the one game you couldn't put down? The game that connected you with friends, and made you feel like you belonged? If a game has ever defined a chapter of your life, then you already know the spark we're chasing. Our mission is to ignite that same feeling for players; the thrill of competition, the joy of community, and the belonging of finding your own corner of a larger world.
Great games begin with people who dare to dream big. If that sounds exciting, you might be exactly who we're looking for.
Bonfire is a group of experienced and ambitious developers, proud to be creating our first original IP: Arkheron. It is a fast-paced, competitive PVP game set in a surreal dark fantasy world where 15 teams of three battle their way up the Tower. In a world built from memories, you will loot powerful items to create and adapt a unique build-out that will change your strategy and combat experience with every Ascension.
The best way to understand our Art team is in their own words - here's how they describe their work.
Our goal is to immerse players in an extraordinary and haunting realm. From initial concept art to final in-game elements, we are crafting a compelling aesthetic experience that seamlessly blends with and brings to life the game's narrative, level design, combat and audio. We play the game daily and our deep understanding of it allows us to deliver visuals that put the player experience first, while still pushing artistic boundaries to fully capture the unique tone and unforgettable atmosphere of the Arkheron's world.
We're looking for a Senior/Principal Animator who understands that every frame communicates something: timing, weight, threat, opportunity. You'll help define the animation language of a competitive experience, shaping clarity and responsiveness from the earliest stages of development. On a small team, your work will directly influence the feel of every ability, encounter, and moment of impact. If you care about animation as gameplay (and want real ownership over the result) we'd love to see your reel.
YOU'LL CONTRIBUTE BY:
  • Creating high-quality, in-game character animations that bring combat, movement, and moment-to-moment gameplay to life.
  • Collaborating closely with designers, engineers, and tech artists to develop combat that feels responsive, readable, and satisfying in a competitive multiplayer environment.
  • Partnering with animation, engineering, and tech art to help shape rigs, tools, and animation systems that improve workflows and elevate quality.
  • Owning animation features end-to-end, from early exploration and iteration through polish and final implementation.
  • Aligning with the animation team on style, quality bar, and execution, while contributing your own ideas, taste, and problem-solving.
  • Participating actively in playtests, evaluating your work through the lens of the player experience and iterating based on feel, clarity, and gameplay impact.
  • Balancing animation fidelity with gameplay needs, making smart tradeoffs that serve performance, readability, and fun.
  • Wearing multiple hats in a small, focused team and using your experience to contribute beyond your core lane when it helps the game or studio.
  • Helping shape a new IP, contributing creatively and thoughtfully as the game, systems, and pipelines evolve.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU:
  • Have strong experience creating high-quality gameplay animation, ideally across multiple shipped titles.
  • Are genuinely excited by competitive multiplayer combat and understand how animation affects feel, fairness, and clarity.
  • Bring a deep understanding of combat systems and how animation drives responsiveness and player satisfaction.
  • Have experience working with or helping develop animation systems and tools, including in new or evolving engines.
  • Are comfortable owning work independently, seeing features through from concept to completion.
  • Are highly skilled at conveying character through gameplay animation, not just cinematics.
  • Push for animation excellence while prioritizing gameplay quality first.
  • Are self-motivated and good at identifying what matters most right now for the game.
  • Thrive in highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams and communicate clearly with partners in all disciplines.
  • Value trust, openness, and diverse perspectives, and enjoy learning from others.
  • Have a growth mindset and care about raising the quality bar for both yourself and the team.
  • Are passionate about the creative process and excited to help build something new together.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE ROLE FOR YOU IF:
  • You're primarily looking for a people-management or team-lead role rather than a hands-on IC position.
  • You prefer working in a highly siloed environment with minimal cross-disciplinary collaboration.
  • You're uncomfortable iterating based on playtests or adjusting work to serve gameplay needs.
  • You're looking for a role with narrowly defined responsibilities and little room to explore beyond your lane.
  • Competitive multiplayer games (and the tradeoffs they require) don't genuinely excite you.
  • You prefer fully established pipelines and systems over building and evolving things as you go.

YOU'LL LOVE WORKING AT BONFIRE BECAUSE WE:
  • Embrace bold challenges with creativity and courage, making the tough calls to build a game we're proud to play every day.
  • Keep fun at the core: we play Arkheron daily, staying grounded as players. If it's not more fun than yesterday, we fix it. We don't chase trends; we listen by playing.
  • Stay truly independent, with decisions driven by the team - not by investors or a board.
  • Thrive in a culture of passion, trust, and shared ownership; where transparency matters and egos don't.

The base salary range for this role is $196,500 - $247,133. Depending on your experience and level (whether you're closer to mid-level or principal), your offer may land above or below that range. We don't just look at years on a résumé - we think about the impact you can have on the team and the game. Of course, compensation at Bonfire goes beyond salary. Every new teammate receives equity, plus a full benefits package and some extra perks to make work (and life) better. When we connect, we'll happily walk you through the full details.
Want to get a feel for what it's like to work here? You can check out more about our culture, team, benefits, and perks at www.bonfirestudios.com. And don't worry - anything you share with us in the application process is just for recruiting and won't be shared. You can read more in our privacy policy.

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