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Animator Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Epic Games

Character Animation Lead

Cary, NC · On-site

You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build responsive, expressive, and scalable animation systems. You will act as a bridge between animation and ...

Epic Games

Technical Designer in Animation

Cary, NC · On-site

As a TDiA, you will use your animation sense and technical understanding of character animation to design and create gameplay animation systems that facilitate entertaining, high-quality characters.

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Durham, NC · Remote

$40/hr

Skilled at teaching 3D modeling techniques, material creation, and animation workflows in Blender. Guides students through box modeling, sculpting organic forms, unwrapping UVs, building shader node ...

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Chapel Hill, NC · Remote

$40/hr

Skilled at teaching 3D modeling techniques, material creation, and animation workflows in Blender. Guides students through box modeling, sculpting organic forms, unwrapping UVs, building shader node ...

Varsity Tutors

Blender Tutor

Raleigh, NC · Remote

$40/hr

Skilled at teaching 3D modeling techniques, material creation, and animation workflows in Blender. Guides students through box modeling, sculpting organic forms, unwrapping UVs, building shader node ...

Epic Games

Senior Hard Surface Artist

Cary, NC · On-site

In this role, you will partner closely with art, design, animation, tech animation, and production teams to help create a steady stream of high-quality mechanical and organic content for an ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Durham, NC · Remote

$40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Chapel Hill, NC · Remote

$40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Varsity Tutors

Autodesk 3DS Max Tutor

Raleigh, NC · Remote

$40/hr

Ability to explain polygon modeling, UV unwrapping, keyframe animation, and physically based rendering while preparing students for careers in architectural visualization, game asset creation, and ...

Koroberi

Digital and motion graphics designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

Produce attention-grabbing multimedia assets (i.e. graphics, animations, video) for social media posts, webpages and emails * Design display banner ads (i.e. HTML5, GIF, JPG, rich media) to fit ...

NCSU

Assistant or Associate Professor

Raleigh, NC

Students in our studio-based bachelor and masters program engage in narrative and storytelling through a number of media and platforms including Mixed Media, Animation, VR/AR, Interaction Design ...

EROS Technologies, Inc.

UX Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Develop 2D and 3D Animation using Flash. Develop Flash /Director based customer Animations Develop Flash Based Streaming Video applications Develop Flash Based Streaming Video applications Tool ...

SA Technologies Inc.

Graphic Designer

Raleigh, NC

Fundamentals of design imaging, Basic web design, Animation, Multimedia design, Content management, Editing for video and audio, Multimedia programming and technology. Skills required: java, java ...

Epic Games

Cinematics Director

Cary, NC · On-site

Collaborate with the Animation Director to direct motion capture sessions and oversee scene assembly in Unreal Engine 5 using Sequencer and Control Rig. * Communicate shot design and pacing through ...

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All JobsAnimator JobsAnimator Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Animator information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$10

$38

$68

How much do animator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for animator in Raleigh, NC is $38.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.25 and $62.16 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can animators get?

Animators can work in various industries including film, television, video games, 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 such as character designer, storyboard artist, or visual effects artist.

Are animators still in demand?

Animator jobs remain in demand in industries such as entertainment, advertising, and gaming, especially for those skilled in digital tools like Adobe Animate or Maya. The field values creativity, technical skills, and the ability to adapt to new animation technologies, with employment growth expected to be steady over the coming years.

Is animator a well paying job?

Animator salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, but generally, they can earn a competitive income, especially with specialized skills in 3D modeling or visual effects. Entry-level positions tend to pay less, while experienced animators working in film, gaming, or advertising often earn higher wages. Continuous skill development and proficiency with tools like Adobe After Effects or Maya can improve earning potential.

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 jobs can I do with animation?

Animator jobs include creating animated content for film, television, video games, advertising, and online media. Skills in software like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender are often required, and roles can range from character animator to motion graphics artist or visual effects specialist.

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 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.
More about Animator jobs
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What job categories do people searching Animator jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Animator jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Animator jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Animator job openings:
Animator jobs near you
Character Animation Lead

Character Animation Lead

Epic Games

Cary, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?
At the core of Epic's success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it's building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we're always innovating.
Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We're constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.
ART
What We Do
Push your artistic talent to the limit on a team of world-class environment, character, and concept artists who strive to innovate and inspire.
What You'll Do
Epic Games is looking for a Character Animation Director to join our Special Projects team to help drive the vision and execution of character animation across experimental and gameplay-driven prototypes. You will combine strong animation fundamentals with technical fluency in Unreal Engine to build responsive, expressive, and scalable animation systems. You will act as a bridge between animation and engineering - helping to define workflows, shape systems, and solve complex problems at the intersection of gameplay and motion. This role requires both hands-on creation and leadership: setting quality bars, guiding others, and helping a small team move quickly without sacrificing clarity or craft.
In this role, you will
  • Lead the creation and implementation of high-quality, gameplay-driven animation in Unreal Engine
  • Prototype and iterate on new approaches to character movement, responsiveness, and player-driven animation
  • Collaborate closely with engineers and technical designers to design scalable, flexible animation systems. Excite those around you with creative and clear thinking
  • Own animation quality and leadership across projects, ensuring a strong and consistent point of view
  • Translate gameplay needs into animation behaviors that feel intuitive and responsive
  • Debug and solve complex animation and integration issues in the engine
  • Contribute to and help evolve animation pipelines, tools, and workflows for rapid iteration
  • Mentor and support other animators, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and craft excellence
What we're looking for
  • Expert-level understanding of character animation principles, with the ability to deliver both realistic and stylized motion; experience with motion matching, procedural animation, or emerging animation technologies is a plus
  • Deep experience working in Unreal Engine, including Animation Blueprints, state machines, blending, and runtime systems
  • Strong understanding of gameplay animation-how input, timing, and responsiveness shape player experience
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical designers on complex, system-driven features
  • Experience building or contributing to animation systems (not just assets), including debugging and iteration in-engine
  • Animating in-engine using Unreal Engine animation tools; familiarity with Control Rig and runtime rigging workflows in Unreal Engine
  • Comfort working in ambiguous, exploratory environments with rapid iteration cycles
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance creative goals with technical constraints
  • Experienced AAA development or equivalent real-time production environments
  • Excellent communication and leadership skills
EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE
Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.
ABOUT US
Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.
Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!
Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.
Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.

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