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Animation Studio Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

ZeniMax Media

Creature Animator (Outsourcing)

Rockville, MD · On-site

$70K - $155K/yr

... Studios' quality bar * Serve as a primary point of support for outsourced creature animation, helping to identify issues, articulate improvements, and maintain a consistent creative vision across ...

ZeniMax Media

Animator (First-Person)

Rockville, MD · On-site

$70K - $155K/yr

Bethesda Game Studios strives to offer its employees a well-balanced home and work life by ... Apply animation principles to create high-quality hand keyed animations, while making any changes ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Washington, DC · Remote

$40/hr

Guides students through building polygon and spline-based models, applying and editing materials, setting up studio and environmental lighting, creating keyframe animations, and configuring render ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

College Park, MD · Remote

$40/hr

Guides students through building polygon and spline-based models, applying and editing materials, setting up studio and environmental lighting, creating keyframe animations, and configuring render ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Leesburg, VA · Remote

$40/hr

Guides students through building polygon and spline-based models, applying and editing materials, setting up studio and environmental lighting, creating keyframe animations, and configuring render ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Fairfax, VA · Remote

$40/hr

Guides students through building polygon and spline-based models, applying and editing materials, setting up studio and environmental lighting, creating keyframe animations, and configuring render ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Rockville, MD · Remote

$40/hr

Guides students through building polygon and spline-based models, applying and editing materials, setting up studio and environmental lighting, creating keyframe animations, and configuring render ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Alexandria, VA · Remote

$40/hr

Guides students through building polygon and spline-based models, applying and editing materials, setting up studio and environmental lighting, creating keyframe animations, and configuring render ...

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All JobsAnimation Studio JobsAnimation Studio Jobs in Reston, VA

Animation Studio information

See Reston, VA salary details

$11.4K

$179.5K

How much do animation studio jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation studio in Reston, VA is $177,900.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $177,900.00 and $177,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the typical workflow and team structure like in an animation studio?

In an animation studio, projects usually move through a well-defined pipeline that includes concept development, storyboarding, modeling, texturing, animating, and post-production. Team members often specialize in different areas such as character design, background art, animation, and compositing, working together under the guidance of a director or project manager. Daily work involves regular check-ins, creative reviews, and close collaboration to ensure consistency and timely progress. This structure supports creativity while maintaining organization, enabling the studio to deliver polished content efficiently and effectively.

What is an Animation Studio job?

An Animation Studio job involves creating visual content using 2D or 3D animation techniques for film, television, advertisements, video games, or digital media. Professionals in an animation studio may work as animators, storyboard artists, modelers, or visual effects specialists. These roles require creativity, technical skills, and proficiency in animation software like Maya, Blender, or After Effects. The job can involve collaborating with directors, writers, and designers to bring stories and characters to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Animation Studio position, and why are they important?

To thrive in an Animation Studio, individuals typically need strong artistic skills, proficiency in animation principles, and a background in digital media or related fields. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom Harmony, or Autodesk Maya is essential, and formal education in animation or visual arts is often preferred. Teamwork, creative problem-solving, and effective communication are valuable soft skills that set candidates apart. These abilities are crucial for producing high-quality animations, meeting client deadlines, and ensuring smooth collaboration within a creative team.

What job categories do people searching Animation Studio jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Studio jobs in Reston, VA are:
Animation Studio jobs near you

Creature Animator (Outsourcing)

ZeniMax Media

Rockville, MD • On-site

$70K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Overview
Come join Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning development team behind Starfield, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. Bethesda Game Studios strives to offer its employees a well-balanced home and work life by providing competitive salaries, a generous benefits program, and offices located in some of North America's best cities.
With a goal of creating a culture as fun and diverse as our games and our players, we welcome applicants with unique skillsets, experience levels and backgrounds. If you are passionate about making a meaningful contribution to some of the most significant games in the industry we'd love to hear from you!
We will consider candidates for our Bethesda Game Studios location in Rockville, MD.
Responsibilities
Your Daily Life at Bethesda Game Studios
Bethesda Game Studios is looking for an exceptional Creature Animator (Outsourcing) to support creature animation work produced both internally and by external partners, while collaborating closely with artists, programmers, designers, and producers. This role is primarily focused on working with outsourced animation teams, reviewing their work, and ensuring quality and consistency across all delivered assets.
As Creature Animator (Outsourcing), you will...
  • Apply animation principles to evaluate, refine, and ensure the quality of creature animations
  • Work in collaboration with members of the team to address animation needs and requirements for cinematic content and gameplay
  • Partner closely with external animation teams by reviewing outsourced creature animation assets, providing clear, actionable, and technically detailed feedback, and ensuring all delivered work meets Bethesda Game Studios' quality bar
  • Serve as a primary point of support for outsourced creature animation, helping to identify issues, articulate improvements, and maintain a consistent creative vision across teams
  • Actively engage with developers outside of your discipline, creating a positive and productive experience for all involved
  • Assist and provide constructive feedback to other animators
  • Consistently integrate and maintain your work in the game
  • Have opportunities to animate creatures directly, while not being solely focused on hands-on animation full-time
Qualifications
What Makes You S.P.E.C.I.A.L.
  • You have 3+ years of professional or related experience as a Creature Animator
  • You possess outstanding animation skills, displaying a strong understanding of animation principles and the ability to critically evaluate and articulate feedback on animation quality
  • You are detail-oriented and have a strong critical eye
  • You are a highly autonomous, self-motivated team player, comfortable working independently while supporting broader team goals
  • You're great at adapting to change and accept constructive feedback well
  • You possess excellent problem-solving and prototyping skills
  • You have excellent oral and written communication skills, particularly when collaborating with external partners
  • You are proficient working with Maya, 3ds Max or Blender
  • You have a passion for gaming and making GREAT games
  • You are passionate about pushing animation quality to the next level
Preferred Skills
Bonus Skills:
  • You have experience animating on first- and third-person focused games
  • You have animation graph experience
  • You have experience working with motion capture in either Maya or Motion Builder
  • You have experience working closely with AI programmers and Gameplay programmers, understanding the technicalities of game AI and game functionality

Salary Range
Creature Animator (Outsourcing) - The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $70,000 - $155,000 per year.
ZeniMax has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets. The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role; the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate's primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time.
At ZeniMax certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, such as merit increases and discretionary bonuses. These awards are allocated based on individual performance and are not guaranteed. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with ZeniMax and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation time, paid sick and mental health time, and several paid holidays, among others.
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