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Animation Technical Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Cinematics Animation Director

Cary, NC · On-site

Drive collaboration across disciplines - including Production, Technical Animation, and Design - to ... Direct and work with motion capture data as a core part of the layout process. * Refine animations ...

ESPN

Manager, Animation

Bristol, CT

$126.80K - $170K/yr

Direct management, mentoring and coaching of supervisor- and staff-level personnel * Develop and ... Identify and drive resolutions to technical, operational, and organizational challenges

New Venture

Technology Director

Santa Monica, CA

Work closely with Game Director, Animation Director, Art Director and other members of the development team to plan tech requirements and implementation and assist with problem solving technical ...

New Venture

Technology Director

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

Work closely with Game Director, Animation Director, Art Director and other members of the development team to plan tech requirements and implementation and assist with problem solving technical ...

The Walt Disney Company

Manager, Animation

Bristol, CT

$126.80K - $170K/yr

Direct management, mentoring and coaching of supervisor- and staff-level personnel * Develop and ... Identify and drive resolutions to technical, operational, and organizational challenges

AGBO Films LLC

Principal Animation Engineer

Both upcoming Avengers films are directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and co-produced by AGBO and Marvel Studios. Position Summary: AGBO is seeking a Principal Animation Engineer to lead the technical ...

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

What You'll Do Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special ... You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build ...

Epic Games

Senior Technical Animator

Cary, NC · On-site

$98.20K - $112.10K/yr

Direct Technical Animation work for Cinematic trailers, including outsourced and internal trailers * Provide support and optimization for Animation Team, including performance/speed optimizations ...

Believe In Me

Animator

Spokane, WA · On-site

Works closely with the creative director to ensure the project's requirements are met. * Works ... Animation skills * Graphic design skills * Vision * Developing creative standards * Proficiency ...

NEW YORK EDGE, INC

Jr. Animation Specialist

Hollis, NY · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

This role reports directly to Megan Basaldua and Vincent Spencer, Co-Directors of New York Edge ... Offer assistance with art displays and technical execution to ensure successful presentations.

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Animation Technical Director information

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$26K

$115.5K

$232K

How much do animation technical director jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for animation technical director in the United States is $115,510.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $154,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Animation Technical Director do?

An Animation Technical Director (TD) is responsible for developing and maintaining the technical aspects of animation production. They create tools, scripts, and workflows to streamline animation pipelines and solve technical challenges. TDs collaborate with animators, modelers, and software engineers to optimize performance and ensure seamless integration of assets. Their role is essential in balancing artistic vision with technical efficiency in animated films, TV shows, or video games.

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

To thrive as an Animation Technical Director, you need a strong background in computer graphics, programming (such as Python or C++), and animation pipeline management, often supported by a relevant degree in computer science, animation, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software like Maya, Houdini, and proprietary production tools, as well as scripting and shot management systems, is essential. Problem-solving, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate with artists and engineers are key soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the smooth integration of artistic and technical elements, allowing for efficient production pipelines and high-quality animated content.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Animation Technical Director?

As an Animation Technical Director, your typical day involves developing and maintaining animation pipelines, troubleshooting technical issues, and creating custom tools to support artists and animators. You will collaborate closely with creative teams to ensure assets and processes meet both artistic and technical requirements, and often serve as a liaison between technical and artistic departments. Additionally, you may participate in technical reviews, optimize rendering workflows, and mentor other team members on best practices. This dynamic role requires balancing hands-on technical problem-solving with clear communication to ensure smooth project delivery.
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Animation Technical Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Technical Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, and 97% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $115,510 per year, or $55.5 per hour.
Creature Technical Director (Project Hire) - ILM San Francisco

Creature Technical Director (Project Hire) - ILM San Francisco

The Walt Disney Company

San Francisco, CA

$90.40K - $118.70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Walt Disney Company rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 124 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 47 rated entertainment

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Creature Technical Director (Project Hire) - ILM San Francisco

Req ID:

10135051

Job Description:

The Creature Technical Director rigs and envelops characters from heroes to background creatures, vehicles and props in Maya. The Creature Technical Director is able to wrangle rigging and creature pipeline issues proficiently under the direction and guidance of their supervisors; and has the ability to run flesh-surface, hair, rigid sim, crowd, and/or cloth simulations.

What You'll Do

  • Provide rigging and enveloping in Maya for various vehicles, characters, and creatures

  • Run cloth, hair, rigid body, crowd, or muscle simulations

  • Troubleshoot creature pipeline issues for artists in other disciplines

  • Script utilities/tools/plug-ins in Maya

  • Participate in reviews, dailies, and department meetings as required

  • Mentor entry level artists

  • Special projects as necessary

What We're Looking For

  • 3 years relevant professional experience and a diploma in computer graphics, fine arts, design, or photography, or related field; OR 5 years of relevant experience in lieu of education

  • Experience as Maya rigger for assets in digital animation, visual effects, games, commercials

  • Experience running simulation shotwork

  • Experience in corrective sculpting

  • Knowledge of anatomy and enveloping

  • Positive attitude and team player

  • Good communication skills

  • Nice to have:

    • Experience with Massive or Houdini crowd software

    • C++

    • Basic proficiency in another discipline - modeling, texture, TD, animation

    • Proficiency with Linux

    • Expertise with Maya

    • Experience with python scripting

JoinILM

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco, CA is $90,400 to $118,700 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Job Posting Segment:

ILM San Francisco

Job Posting Primary Business:

ILM San Francisco

Primary Job Posting Category:

Character Simulations - Studios, Rigging - Studios

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

San Francisco, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2025-10-21

What Walt Disney Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Walt Disney logo

About Walt Disney

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

Industry

Amusement, gambling, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

Social media

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