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Animation Software Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

General Atomics

Training Developer II

Poway, CA · On-site

$56K - $96K/yr

Vyond or other animation software * Adobe Creative Cloud suite of solutions * Must be customer focused and possess: * The ability to develop solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and ...

Bennett Recruiting Services

Be Seen First

3D Product Design Developer

West Hollywood, CA · On-site

$125K - $130K/yr

... animation software. Should be able to take a rhino design model and render all proposed materials to match existing and new colorways. · Competent in taking 2-dimensional design concepts to a ...

Amazon

Software Development Manager, AI Studios

Culver City, CA · On-site

$135K - $178K/yr

Join us as a Software Development Manager in the AI Studios Engineering org within Prime Video and ... You'll work alongside creative professionals (animators, filmmakers, and storytellers) delivering ...

Sonsoft Inc

Software Developer Level III

Torrance, CA · On-site

Experience creating custom UI elements, UI animation techniques and creating a rich, interactive UX ... software development methodologies Additional Information ** U.S. Citizens and those who are ...

Wispr Flow

Software Engineer, UI

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$122K - $163K/yr

You think about how people actually use software, not just how they're supposed to. • Fluency in ... animations, and interaction fidelity. • Care towards code quality and UX -- you notice when ...

AGBO

Pipeline Software Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$150K - $186K/yr

The Software Engineer supports the Pipeline Engineering team by developing and maintaining tools ... Animation, rigging, cloth, and creature techniques * Shading, lighting, and rendering techniques

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All JobsAnimation Software JobsAnimation Software Jobs in California

Animation Software information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$92.3K

$138.7K

How much do animation software jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation software in California is $92,295.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,200.00 and $105,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is animation software?

Animation software is a computer program used to create moving images, graphics, or visual effects by sequencing individual frames or manipulating digital objects. These tools allow artists and animators to design characters, backgrounds, and scenes, and bring them to life through motion. Animation software can be used for various purposes, including films, video games, advertisements, and educational materials. Popular animation software includes Adobe Animate, Blender, Toon Boom Harmony, and Autodesk Maya.

What is the difference between Animation Software vs 3D Modeler?

AspectAnimation Software3D Modeler
Primary FocusCreating animations, motion graphics, and visual effectsDesigning and building 3D models and assets
Required SkillsAnimation techniques, timeline management, renderingModeling, texturing, topology, and sculpting
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, post-production houses, freelanceDesign studios, gaming, film, and visualization
Common ToolsAdobe After Effects, Blender, Maya, Cinema 4DBlender, ZBrush, 3ds Max, Maya

While both Animation Software and 3D Modelers work within the 3D industry, Animation Software focuses on bringing models to life through movement and effects, whereas 3D Modelers specialize in creating detailed 3D assets. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right tools and career paths in the digital content creation industry.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with animation software in a collaborative studio environment?

Professionals using animation software in studio settings often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility across different software versions, managing large project files, and keeping asset libraries organized for team access. Effective communication is crucial, as animators frequently need to share work-in-progress files and receive feedback from directors, designers, and technical artists. Staying up-to-date with the latest software updates and plugins is also important to maintain workflow efficiency and quality standards.

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

To thrive as an Animation Software Specialist, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, computer graphics, and software development, often supported by a degree in computer science, animation, or a related field. Expertise in tools such as Autodesk Maya, Blender, Adobe After Effects, and programming languages like Python or C++ is typically required, along with knowledge of industry-standard rendering engines. Strong problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills help specialists create innovative and functional animation solutions. These skills enable the development of efficient, user-friendly, and high-quality animation software that meets the needs of artists and studios.
What are popular job titles related to Animation Software jobs in California? For Animation Software jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Software jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Software jobs in California are:
Animation Software jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Software job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 25% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,295 per year, or $44.4 per hour.
Story Artist - Feature

Story Artist - Feature

Sony Pictures Animation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$51.65 - $77/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

SUMMARY:
Story Artists work with a team of the Directors, Producers, and Head of Story to create a visual representation of the animation's narrative. These artists translate the script into pictures by producing a series of panels of drawings that plan out the film's story, action, humor, continuity and pacing.
Sony Pictures Animation is a pre-production animation studio based in Los Angeles, California, creating both feature animation and animated series with artists from around the world. We pride ourselves on empowering filmmakers to lead the creative process, and allowing the hand of the artist to be truly felt, with the goal of producing bold and innovative visual storytelling.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Working from a script or descriptions, develop storyboards (thumbnail/rough storyboard panels) that depict the action, camera placement and acting of sequences.
  • Draw everything from quick sketches to finished detailed storyboard panels.
  • Pitch storyboards to the director, head of story, crew, and executives.
  • Discover and create innovative ideas with performance, action, and humor.
  • Draw storyboards for assigned sequences and revise, edit, and modify sketches as many times as needed.
  • Ensure that the vision and style of the show is consistently adhered to through execution of action, staging, dialogue and camera.
  • Address story and structure problems. We especially value artists that can improve entertainment value!.
  • Supervision of the story team, including conducting interviews, making hiring recommendations, and providing feedback to Artists throughout the production.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Robust draftsmanship with a sense of design, appeal and composition.
  • Ability to work on a range of projects (action, comedy and drama sequences) and in a variety of styles from comic to realistic and highly stylized.
  • Great writing skills.
  • Strong character acting sensibilities; able to convey personality, emotion, and movement.
  • Strong staging, composition and cinematography skills.
  • Capable of drawing characters and environments on model within show style.
  • Ability to write clear and specific directions on storyboards to communicate with the team.
  • Can manage time efficiently and work independently.
  • Work creatively in a fast paced production environment.
  • Must be open to direction and able to embrace change.
  • Self motivated, good interpersonal skills, and an excellent teammate with a phenomenal outlook.
  • Knowledge of software and hardware including Cintiq, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro and Photoshop.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $51.65/hour to $77/hour. This role qualifies for benefits pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors.
To apply, please submit a resume and a link to your work. Please make sure to include any passwords needed to review your work in your resume or cover letter.
Sony Pictures Animation is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.
SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.

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