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Animator Illustrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Video Lab

Illustrator

Los Angeles, CA

Make illustrations for animation * Work closely with other illustrator on same project * Manage your time and meet deadlines * Great at collaborating with our animators * Create awesome storyboards ...

Video Lab

Illustrator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Make illustrations for animation * Work closely with other illustrator on same project * Manage your time and meet deadlines * Great at collaborating with our animators * Create awesome storyboards ...

The Mill

Designer/Animator

Chicago, IL · On-site

The role of The Mill Designer/Animator is to work with his or her fellow Designers, Senior ... Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite - InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge. * Proficient in ...

EPS Corporation

TECHNICAL ILLUSTRATOR

Eatontown, NJ · On-site

Role Overview As a Technical Illustrator, you will create and refine highly detailed illustrations ... Proficiency in creating 3D visuals and animations for technical applications. Knowledge of S1000D ...

The Mill

Designer/Animator

Chicago, IL

The role of The Mill Designer/Animator is to work with his or her fellow Designers, Senior ... Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite - InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Bridge. * Proficient in ...

TechLink Systems

Flash - Animator

Torrance, CA · On-site

Qualified candidate must be competent in compiling 2D/3D illustration sequences, video, web and mobile content development. 5+ years of experience in building interactive Flash animation and mobile ...

TechLink Systems

Flash - Animator

Torrance, CA

Qualified candidate must be competent in compiling 2D/3D illustration sequences, video, web and mobile content development. 5+ years of experience in building interactive Flash animation and mobile ...

US AI

Contract Animator

Rockville, MD

Proficiency in tools such as After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Photoshop, and/or Cinema 4D ... Experience creating animations for B2B, SaaS, or technology companies * Familiarity with product ...

loyalkaspar

Senior Designer / Animator

New York, NY · On-site

$116K - $132K/yr

Loyalkaspar is on the lookout for a Senior Designer / Animator to help across teams and projects ... After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign • Advanced knowledge of Cinema 4D • Must ...

loyalkaspar

Senior Designer / Animator

New York, NY

$116K - $132K/yr

Loyalkaspar is on the lookout for a Senior Designer / Animator to help across teams and projects ... After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign Advanced knowledge of Cinema 4D Must have a ...

QuaverEd, Inc.

Multimedia Illustrator

Nashville, TN

$60K - $65K/yr

Reporting to the Illustration Manager, this position works closely with animation and design teams to collaboratively develop engaging visuals that meet project needs and brand standards. Primary ...

QuaverEd, Inc

Multimedia Illustrator

Nashville, TN · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Reporting to the Illustration Manager, this position works closely with animation and design teams to collaboratively develop engaging visuals that meet project needs and brand standards. Primary ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

AGBO is seeking a talented Animator to join our Visual Effects (VFX) team. The Animator is ... Skills in one or more related disciplines - illustration, modeling, rigging, exploring new rigs ...

QuaverEd Inc.

Multimedia Illustrator

Nashville, TN · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Reporting to the Illustration Manager, this position works closely with animation and design teams to collaboratively develop engaging visuals that meet project needs and brand standards. Primary ...

Axle

Junior Illustrator

Hamilton, MT

$60K - $70K/yr

Create illustrations, videos, animations, web content, and graphic designs for publication and presentation. * Ensure all published materials meet Section 508 compliance accessibility standards.

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Animator Illustrator information

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How much do animator illustrator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator illustrator in the United States is $39.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.88 and $63.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Animator Illustrator vs Graphic Designer?

AspectAnimator IllustratorGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in animation, illustration, or related fieldOften a degree in graphic design, visual communication, or related field
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, media companies, freelance projectsAdvertising agencies, corporate branding, print and digital media
Industry UsageUsed in film, TV, video games, online mediaUsed in branding, marketing, print, and digital design

Animator Illustrators focus on creating animated and illustrated content primarily for media and entertainment, while Graphic Designers develop visual concepts for branding, marketing, and print. Both roles require strong artistic skills and often overlap, but their primary outputs and work environments differ.

What are some common challenges faced by Animator Illustrators when working on collaborative projects?

Animator Illustrators often work closely with art directors, writers, and other animators, which requires effective communication and flexibility. A common challenge is ensuring that individual artistic styles align with the project's overall vision, especially when multiple illustrators contribute to the same animation. Additionally, meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high quality can be demanding, as revisions and feedback loops are frequent in a collaborative environment. Successful Animator Illustrators are adaptable and open to constructive criticism to help bring creative concepts to life as a cohesive team.

What are Animator Illustrators?

Animator Illustrators are creative professionals who combine the skills of both animation and illustration to produce visual content for various media, such as films, television, video games, advertisements, and digital platforms. They design characters, backgrounds, and scenes, and bring them to life through movement and storytelling techniques. Animator Illustrators often work with specialized software to create both static imagery and animated sequences, collaborating with other artists, directors, and clients to achieve the desired visual style and narrative. Their work can be found in everything from cartoons and commercials to educational content and web media.

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

To thrive as an Animator Illustrator, you need a solid background in drawing, visual storytelling, and animation principles, often backed by a degree in animation, illustration, or a related field. Mastery of digital tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom Harmony, and 3D animation software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These abilities are crucial for producing engaging visual content and effectively communicating ideas within creative teams.

What is an illustrator's salary?

The salary of an illustrator varies based on experience, location, and industry, but typically ranges from $40,000 to $75,000 annually. Illustrators working in animation or with specialized skills in digital tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop may earn higher wages, especially with a strong portfolio and client base.
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What cities are hiring for Animator Illustrator jobs? Cities with the most Animator Illustrator job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Animator Illustrator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animator Illustrator jobs are:
Animator Illustrator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animator Illustrator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $81,974 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
3D Animator & Mechanical Illustrator

3D Animator & Mechanical Illustrator

Bray Architects

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Bray is seeking a 3D Animator & Mechanical Illustrator to join our team and lead the creation of high-quality 3D renders, mechanical illustrations, and product animations that showcase how our products operate and the value they deliver in the field. This will set the bar for quality standards across all visual content.
Our renders and animations are used across Bray marketing and communications-including trade show experiences, website promotion, video content, print advertising, office/environmental graphics, and more. The ideal candidate combines deep understanding of mechanical systems with expert-level 3D craft, strong production discipline (including file optimization and storage management), and the ability to manage multiple projects with tight deadlines while working effectively across a wide range of stakeholders.
Forward thinking is highly valued as we adopt new software and technologies in the current AI-enabled environment.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Create high-quality 3D renders and animations: Produce photorealistic stills and engaging animations that accurately represent Bray products and clearly communicate operation, features, and differentiators.
  • Mechanical storytelling & accuracy: Apply strong mechanical engineering understanding to depict correct motion, assembly relationships, tolerances, and operating principles (e.g., valve actuation, flow path concepts, and control components), validating technical accuracy with engineering.
  • 3D-from-CAD workflow: Work from SolidWorks models and engineering drawings to create production-ready assets in 3ds Max, including cleaning geometry, optimizing topology, and preparing assemblies for animation.
  • Mechanical illustrations & compositing: Create clear technical illustrations, cutaways, exploded views, and step visuals. Use Photoshop for compositing, color correction, labeling callouts (as needed), and final asset preparation.
  • Quality standard ownership: Own Bray's quality bar for renders/animations-consistent lighting, materials, realism, correct motion, and clean presentation. Establish review checkpoints and incorporate feedback efficiently without sacrificing quality.
  • Rendering/animation best practices & optimization: Apply best practices to achieve high visual fidelity while optimizing scene complexity, textures, poly counts, and render settings. Maintain efficient file organization and storage practices (naming, archiving, re-use) to support long-term scalability.
  • Asset library & version control: Maintain an organized library of models, materials, textures, rigs, and scenes. Manage versions and approvals so teams can confidently re-use and update assets across campaigns.
  • Cross-functional partnership: Collaborate with marketing, product management, engineering, sales, and events teams to intake requests, clarify objectives, and deliver visuals tailored to channel needs (web, video, print, environmental, and trade show).
  • Tool mastery & production workflow: Use 3ds Max for modeling/animation/rendering, SolidWorks for CAD intake and interpretation, and Photoshop for post-production. Explore and manage AI tool adoption to increase efficiencies while maintaining quality standards. Ensure assets are delivered in the right formats/resolutions for each use case.
  • Project management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and deliver on tight deadlines without compromising quality. Provide clear status updates and proactively surface risks/dependencies.
  • Mentorship & team growth: As the team expands, help lead and support additional resources (including India-based support). Provide training, feedback, and best-practice guidance to upskill the team and scale output sustainably.

Qualifications:
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in 3D Animation, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Multimedia, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience). Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals are required.
  • Experience:
  • Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience producing high-end 3D animation, rendering, and mechanical illustration for industrial/manufacturing products. A portfolio demonstrating photoreal renders and mechanism/operation animations is required.
  • Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to understand how products operate, then translate that understanding into accurate and compelling visuals.
  • Proven use of best practices for achieving high-quality output (materials/shaders, lighting, camera, motion) while managing performance, render times, and file/storage optimization.
  • Skills:
  • Expert-level ability to create photorealistic renders and polished animations with a strong eye for lighting, materials, composition, and motion.
  • Quality-first mindset with rigorous attention to detail and consistency; able to establish and follow standards that keep Bray visuals best-in-class.
  • Required tools: Advanced proficiency with 3ds Max, SolidWorks, and Adobe Photoshop, including an end-to-end workflow from CAD intake to final rendered/edited outputs.
  • Strong asset management practices: organized scene structure, naming conventions, versioning, and storage optimization to minimize bloat while preserving quality and reusability.
  • Strong understanding of industrial mechanical products-especially valves, actuators, and controls-and the ability to interpret engineering inputs to build accurate models and animations.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings and schematics and convert them into accurate 3D scenes, illustrations, and animations (including exploded views, cutaways, and mechanism motion).
  • Experience delivering assets optimized for multiple channels (web, video, print, environmental/trade show) including correct resolution, color considerations, and file packaging/hand-off practices.
  • Personal Attributes:
  • Creative thinker with practical execution-able to propose strong visual concepts while making smart tradeoffs to deliver on schedule.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to work with a variety of personalities, extract requirements, and decipher technical information from SMEs to produce the right visuals.
  • Highly organized and self-directed-able to manage multiple projects at the same time with tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
  • Detail-obsessed with a strong sense of craftsmanship and pride in producing best-in-class visuals.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience creating 3D animations/renders for oil & gas, chemical, refining, power, water/wastewater, or other industrial process industries.
  • Experience managing, mentoring, training, or leading other designers/animators (including distributed teams) is a strong plus.
  • Experience establishing production pipelines (render settings, libraries, templates) and improving storage/performance through smart optimization practices is a plus.

Why Join Bray International?
Bray offers more than just a job-we offer a long-term career in an environment that values innovation, respect, and integrity.
What You'll Enjoy:
  • Competitive Compensation Packages
  • Comprehensive Benefits (effective the 1st of the month after 30 days):
    • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
    • Paid holidays and vacation
    • 401(k) with company matching
  • A Positive, Drug-Free Workplace
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • A Company Culture Rooted in Excellence and Collaboration

Ready to lead the future of flow control?
Join Bray International and make your mark in a company where your expertise and leadership will drive real innovation and impact.
As a federal subcontractor, Bray International Inc., its affiliates, and subsidiaries comply with the Drug-Free Workplace Act and applicable federal law. Employment is contingent upon a successful background screening and compliance with federal requirements, including drug testing for controlled substances under the federal Controlled Substances Act, which includes marijuana. This requirement applies regardless of state or local marijuana/cannabis laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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