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Animation Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Cinematics Animation Director

Cary, NC · On-site

Research, evaluate, and prototype emerging animation workflows and tools, helping the team stay ahead of the curve on production innovation. What we're looking for * A strong animation reel ...

Fox

Producer, AI Animation - FoxNXT

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$114K - $152K/yr

Built around four integrated pillars, including R&D, Production, Talent, and Education, FoxNXT develops and deploys AI powered pipelines that redefine creative workflows across animation, unscripted ...

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All JobsAnimation Researcher Jobs

Animation Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do animation researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Animation Researcher, you need strong research skills, knowledge of animation history and techniques, and typically a degree in animation, film studies, or a related field. Familiarity with animation software, databases, and digital asset management systems is often required. Attention to detail, creativity, and strong communication skills help an Animation Researcher excel in gathering and presenting relevant information to creative teams. These skills are vital for ensuring the accuracy, innovation, and authenticity of animated projects.

How does an Animation Researcher typically collaborate with animators and directors during a production?

Animation Researchers play a key support role by gathering visual and factual references, historical context, and technical information that help animators and directors achieve authenticity and accuracy in their work. They frequently consult with creative teams to clarify specific needs, present their findings in accessible formats, and attend production meetings to ensure their research aligns with the project's artistic vision. Strong communication and adaptability are essential, as Animation Researchers must translate complex information into practical insights while responding to evolving creative directions.

What are animation researchers?

Animation researchers are professionals who conduct thorough investigations to support the creative and technical aspects of animation production. They gather reference materials, study movement, behavior, and environments, and provide accurate information to animators and production teams. Their work ensures that animated content is realistic, consistent, and grounded in factual or stylistic research, enhancing the quality and believability of the final product. Animation researchers may work on topics ranging from character design and historical authenticity to the physics of motion.

What is the difference between Animation Researcher vs Animation Artist?

AspectAnimation ResearcherAnimation Artist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in animation, film, or related field; strong research skillsDiploma or degree in animation, fine arts, or related field; strong artistic skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, studios, production companiesAnimation studios, post-production houses, freelance work
Employer & Industry UsageFilm, TV, gaming, animation production companiesAnimation studios, advertising agencies, entertainment industry
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Animation Researchers focus on gathering and analyzing information to support animation projects, often working in research or pre-production phases. Animation Artists create the visual content, bringing characters and scenes to life through their artistic skills. While both roles are essential in animation production, they differ in their primary responsibilities and skill sets.

What cities are hiring for Animation Researcher jobs? Cities with the most Animation Researcher job openings:
Infographic showing various Animation Researcher job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 79% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 67% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer - Robot Animation

Senior Software Engineer - Robot Animation

Netpace

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Other

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Robot Animation Engineer

Our project is developing a new class of robotic platforms for social interaction. The project is at an exciting early stage where you can have significant strategic impact on a potentially massive market opportunity. As a Robot Animation Engineer, you will be innovating at the frontier between art and engineering to develop solutions that achieve creative and technical product objectives. Your job will bridge ideas, people, and implementations in the exciting and unexplored space of social human-robot interaction systems. You will work with a global cross-disciplinary team of designers, hardware engineers, and software engineers in order to rapidly prototype and evaluate interaction concepts as well as take them to production.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Architect and implement client capabilities for expressive multimodal robot behavior including intelligent physical motion and 2D animation
  • Research and evaluate software frameworks to apply to robot behavior prototyping and production
  • Develop and maintain tools and pipelines for teams of artists and engineers to create engaging content for interactive robotics systems
  • Develop procedural art and animation assets for interaction concept prototypes
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions on morphology and motion design
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural team of designers, hardware engineers, and software engineers to design solutions
  • Work independently and in a self-directed manner to deliver on schedule

Requirements for position:

  • B.S. in Computer Science, Computational Media, or similar field
  • 5+ years of professional software experience (preferably in graphics, gaming, or media production)
  • Experience developing industry pipelines and tools for art, animation, and/or game production
  • Strong grasp of mathematics for 2D and 3D animation and graphics (e.g. geometry, linear algebra, kinematics, physics)
  • Experience collaborating with designers to achieve creative and aesthetic objectives
  • Strong systems thinking, and ability to switch between creative and technical tasks
  • Strong written and spoken communication skills
  • Work authorization in the US (no H1B or green card sponsorship)
  • Willingness to travel internationally and work across time zones
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About Netpace

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netpace is a reputable company in the Information Technology and Services industry, headquartered in San Ramon, California, in the United States. The company specializes in providing digital transformation solutions by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. It offers a wide array of services, including Software Development, IT Consulting, Cloud Services, Infrastructure Management, and Digital Marketing. Ever since its launch, Netpace has been driven by a mission to use technology as a medium to shape future businesses and make a significant impact.

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Ramon, CA, US

Year founded

1996

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