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Animator Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

Senior Motion Dessigner

Seattle, WA

$120K - $137K/yr

After Effects skills include 2D animation, 3D model manipulation, visual effects, basic expressions. Conceptualize and execute motion animations using visual design (typography, composition, color ...

Front End Designer/Developer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$116K - $135K/yr

Any of the following Vanilla JavaScript, Interaction / Animation, ReactJS, MongoDB, PWA, Building custom HTML,CSS, JavaScript Frameworks. Project Description: The project is maintaining and extending ...

Produce a wide range of animation and motion content for help, product videos, live-action, and internal requests. * Maintain high visual standards, and a strong attention to detail, client, audience ...

Produce a wide range of animation and motion content for help, product videos, live-action, and internal requests. * Maintain high visual standards, and a strong attention to detail, client, audience ...

Experience with Jitter or similar motion design tools for UI animation and social content * Experience using AI-powered creative tools such as Runway as part of a modern production workflow

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Animator information

See Bothell, WA salary details

$11

$44

$78

How much do animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator in Bothell, WA is $44.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.47 and $71.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can animators get?

Animators can work in various fields such as film, television, video game development, advertising, and web design. They create animated content using tools like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender and often collaborate with directors, designers, and clients to produce visual storytelling. Many animators also pursue roles in character design, storyboarding, and visual effects production.

Are animators still in demand?

Animator roles continue to be in demand in industries such as entertainment, advertising, and gaming, especially for those skilled in digital tools like Adobe Animate or Maya. The job market favors candidates with strong portfolios, technical proficiency, and adaptability to new animation technologies.

Is animator a well paying job?

Animator salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but generally, the median annual wage is above the national average for all occupations. Skilled animators with proficiency in industry-standard tools like Maya or Adobe After Effects and a strong portfolio tend to earn higher salaries, especially in entertainment, advertising, or gaming sectors.

What does an animator do?

An animator is a creative professional who designs and creates moving images for films, television, video games, and other forms of media. They use computer software or traditional hand-drawn techniques to bring characters, objects, and scenes to life. Animators often work closely with other artists, directors, and writers to ensure their animations fit the vision of a project. Their work involves storyboarding, character design, and creating sequences that convey emotion and action. Attention to detail and a strong understanding of movement are essential skills for animators.

What is the difference between Animator vs 3D Modeler?

AspectAnimator3D Modeler
Required CredentialsAnimation courses, portfolio3D modeling courses, portfolio
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, game companiesDesign studios, game development
Industry UsageBrings characters to life through movementCreates 3D assets and models

While both roles work closely in the animation and gaming industries, an Animator focuses on bringing characters and objects to life through movement, whereas a 3D Modeler specializes in creating the detailed 3D models used in animations and games. Both require similar technical skills and often collaborate on projects, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What jobs are there for animators?

Animators can work in various fields including film and television production, video game development, advertising, and web design. They create visual effects, character animations, and storyboards using tools like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender, often working in studios or freelance settings. Many roles require a strong portfolio and proficiency in animation software.

What are some typical challenges animators face when working on collaborative projects?

Animators often collaborate with teams of artists, directors, and sound designers, which can present challenges such as maintaining consistent visual style and meeting tight production deadlines. Communication is key, as feedback and revisions are frequent, requiring adaptability and strong interpersonal skills. Additionally, animators need to be proficient in various software and workflows to ensure their work integrates smoothly with other departments, such as modeling or lighting. Balancing creative vision with technical requirements is a common aspect of the role.

What Do Animators Do?

Animators create moving images for television, movies, video games, websites, multimedia platforms, and other forms of media. As an animator, your duties are to design illustrations to match characters and settings described in scripts. Sometimes an animator comes up with a new character before developing a script or role for it, while other times animators work closely with writers to collaborate on character development. After the creation stage, your responsibilities shift to rendering the image for whatever medium you work in, such as feature-length computer animated films or short graphic descriptions of news for an online magazine.

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

To thrive as an Animator, you need strong artistic ability, a solid understanding of motion, timing, and storytelling, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency in animation software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, or Blender, and familiarity with digital drawing tablets are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help animators collaborate well and bring ideas to life. These skills are vital for producing high-quality, engaging animations that meet project goals and client expectations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animator jobs in Bothell, WA? The most popular types of Animator jobs in Bothell, WA are:
What are popular job titles related to Animator jobs in Bothell, WA? For Animator jobs in Bothell, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animator jobs in Bothell, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Animator jobs in Bothell, WA are:
What cities near Bothell, WA are hiring for Animator jobs? Cities near Bothell, WA with the most Animator job openings:
Infographic showing various Animator job openings in Bothell, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 79% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,637 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Technical Animator (Animation Blueprints & Control Rig) - Remote or On-Site

Studio Wildcard

Seattle, WA • On-site, Remote

$70K - $90K/yr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

We're Studio Wildcard, developers of the smash indie hit ARK: Survival Evolved -- one of the most popular and original video games in recent years. Despite our massive success, we've been able to stay independent, so that we can steer our own future in games and beyond. There's never been a better time for you to join this adventure and help us build ARK Survival Ascended, the next chapter of our original hit franchise! We're expanding and updating many of the ARK community's most beloved features while taking full advantage of the latest tools and technologies.
We're looking for an exceptionally talented Technical Animator who lives and breathes Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rig. You will own high-impact animation systems that bring creatures, characters, and gameplay to life. This is a systems-focused technical animation role: deep expertise in visual programming (AnimBPs + Control Rig) is the core requirement. Comfort with programming logic is essential, but day-to-day C++ work is not the focus.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, write, and implement animation systems, using Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints and Control Rigs
  • Create sophisticated Control Rig solutions (procedural animation, IK/FK systems, full-body IK, terrain adaptation, foot placement, active ragdoll blending, etc.)
  • Develop responsive, scalable animation systems for bipeds, quadrupeds, and fantasy creatures
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams to improve current solutions and create new ones
  • Create documentation and provide pipeline improvements
  • Optimize animation systems for performance, LODs, and large-scale creature ecosystems

Requirements:
  • Minimum 3 years of professional experience as a Technical Animator / Animation Programmer / Technical Artist focused on real-time animation systems, with at least one shipped title.
  • Expert-level proficiency with Unreal Engine Animation Blueprints (complex state machines, layered blends, procedural logic, gameplay-driven systems).
  • Strong self-motivation and willingness to participate in many areas of game development
  • Experience using Unreal Engine 5

Pluses:
  • C++ experience (useful for deeper engine integration or performance work, but not a primary focus of the role)
  • Experience with character/creature rigging and skinning in Maya, or Control Rig
  • Degree in computer science or a related field
  • Experience with Rigging and Animation
  • Physics-driven animation (ragdoll, physics blending, cloth, custom physics solvers)
  • Tool Programming, MEL, PyMel Python
  • Houdini experience

Required Application Materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter which should include
    • Why you are interested in working for Studio Wildcard
    • What games you are currently playing
  • Portfolio or examples demonstrating Animation Blueprint and/or Control Rig work

About Studio Wildcard
Studio Wildcard was founded in 2014 by industry veterans Jeremy Stieglitz and Jesse Rapczak, with the mission of bringing AAA quality to ambitious indie productions designed for core gamers. With countless years of combined industry experience across multiple independent and studio-backed titles, Wildcard's core team continues to grow, with offices in Redmond, WA, and Gainesville, FL including distributed team members across multiple continents.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Wildcard is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws, regulations or ordinances. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to disability during the application or the recruiting process, please let us know.
Pay Transparency Information
The expected annual base pay range(s) for this position vary based on a variety of factors, which include: (but aren't limited to) skills, competencies, qualifications, knowledge, and experience. Each pay range is only relevant to those residing in WA state and can vary based on geographical location.
Wildcard Benefits
We pay 100% of all premiums for the employee and discounted rates for dependent premiums. Our coverage includes Medical (5 different plans to choose from), Dental, Vision, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, 401(k) option, 100% covered Parental Leave, PTO, Paid Holidays, Unlimited Sick Time, and FSA/ HSA options