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Camera Operator Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Meta

Camera Architect

Redmond, WA

$173K/yr

As a Camera Architect you will define and own the end-to-end imaging architecture of camera subsystems -- single-camera or multi-camera -- for Meta's AR and VR product lines, serving photography ...

Transdev

L2- Operator

Seattle, WA · On-site

$28 - $31/hr

You will be responsible for operating and evaluating self-driving vehicles, providing ride-hail ... cameras), and communicate clearly with technical support for escalation. * Assist as a spotter to ...

SpaceX

Security Operator 3

Bellevue, WA

$27/hr

Monitor site surveillance camera system * Prepare clear and concise written incident reports ... Operator responsibilities may vary at each campus in order to ensure the most effective and secure ...

SpaceX

Security Operator 3

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$27/hr

Monitor site surveillance camera system * Prepare clear and concise written incident reports ... Operator responsibilities may vary at each campus in order to ensure the most effective and secure ...

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All JobsCamera Operator JobsCamera Operator Jobs in Seattle, WA

Camera Operator information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$15

$32

$71

How much do camera operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for camera operator in Seattle, WA is $32.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $34.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a camera operator do?

A camera operator operates cameras and related technical equipment for a TV show, motion picture, or special event. They typically follow instructions from a director, provide creative suggestions on the best way to film a shoot, and monitor the set for possible obstructions. A camera operator may work during live broadcasts, occasionally operate an audio console, manage studio lighting, and help prepare video recordings. In some parts of the industry, their duties require them to work early in the morning, at night, over the weekend, or on holidays. The qualifications to become a camera operator typically include a bachelor's degree in video production, film, or a relevant field and experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a camera operator?

To thrive as a Camera Operator, you need expertise in camera techniques, framing, and lighting, often developed through hands-on experience or a degree in film, broadcasting, or a related field. Familiarity with professional cameras, lenses, stabilizers, and editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid Media Composer is typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to follow creative direction help camera operators stand out. These skills ensure visually compelling footage and seamless collaboration, which are critical for producing high-quality visual content.

What are some common challenges a camera operator may face on set, and how can they be addressed?

Camera Operators often encounter challenges such as working in fast-paced environments, adapting to changing lighting conditions, and capturing shots as directed with precision. Effective communication with the director and crew is essential to ensure the vision is realized smoothly. Staying adaptable, proactively preparing equipment, and maintaining technical proficiency can help address these challenges and contribute to a successful shoot.

What is the difference between Camera Operator vs Video Technician?

AspectCamera OperatorVideo Technician
CredentialsOften requires a high school diploma, technical training, or certification in camera operationTypically needs technical certifications, troubleshooting skills, and sometimes a degree in video production or related fields
Work EnvironmentWorks on film sets, TV studios, live events, and production sitesWorks in broadcast stations, production facilities, or live event venues, handling equipment setup and maintenance
Industry UsageCommonly employed in film, television, and live event productionFound in broadcasting, live event production, and post-production facilities

While both roles involve working with video equipment, Camera Operators focus on capturing footage during productions, whereas Video Technicians handle technical setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of video systems. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the video production industry.

Do camera operators make good money?

Camera operators typically earn a median annual salary that varies by industry and experience, with many earning between $40,000 and $80,000. Skilled operators with specialized equipment knowledge or working in high-demand sectors can earn higher wages, and freelance work may lead to variable income levels.

How much do camera operators earn?

Camera operators typically earn between $30,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Experienced operators working on major productions or with specialized equipment can earn higher salaries, and many work irregular hours or on freelance projects.
More about Camera Operator jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Camera Operator jobs in Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Camera Operator jobs in Seattle, WA are:

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For Camera Operator jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Camera Operator job openings:

Camera Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Camera Operator job openings in Seattle, WA as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $66,669 per year, or $32.1 per hour.

Camera Architect

Redmond, WA

Meta
Internet and IT • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Metaexternal

$173K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Define and own the end-to-end imaging architecture of camera subsystems for Meta's AR and VR products.

  • Drive hardware trade-off decisions, establish camera-level requirements, and develop system-level choices to integrate components into a coherent imaging solution.

  • Translate product features and workload requirements into hardware specifications and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure camera subsystem performance.

Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

As a Camera Architect you will define and own the end-to-end imaging architecture of camera subsystems — single-camera or multi-camera — for Meta's AR and VR product lines, serving photography, computer vision, and contextual-AI feature pipelines. Working alongside dedicated sensor, lens, and module design teams, you will drive the foundational HW trade-off decisions about how these elements come together into a coherent imaging solution — defining camera-level requirements, performance targets, and the system-level choices (focus/stabilization strategy, spatial layout, calibration approach, power budgets, imaging KPIs) that shape how individual components integrate to deliver product features. You will maintain a strong line-of-sight to the end-to-end imaging and AI-feature pipelines so that architecture decisions directly enable day-0 commitments for both capture quality and on-device intelligence.
Camera Architect Responsibilities:
  • Define and defend the camera subsystem architecture — whether a single camera or a multi-camera system — driving how sensors, lenses, actuators, and modules integrate into a coherent imaging solution. This includes focus strategy (fixed-focus vs. AF), image stabilization approach (OIS, EIS-friendly design, hybrid), camera placement geometry, and calibration methodology. The architecture must serve photography use cases
  • computer vision workloads and contextual-AI features
  • Distill a broad, often competing set of requirements — from product, system, software, and feature teams — into the smallest option space the team can realistically execute - finding the minimal camera system that satisfies the feature set while resisting HW complexity beyond what the features actually require
  • Drive sensor-level and imaging-performance trade studies (resolution, pixel size, sensitivity/SNR, dynamic range, frame rate, power, size, cost
  • fixed-focus depth-of-field vs. AF complexity
  • rolling vs. global shutter
  • Define the metrics and figures of merit that connect product features and user experiences to underlying camera HW performance. Establish quantitative linkage between feature KPIs (e.g., photo quality, video stabilization, ML model accuracy, tracking robustness, passthrough latency) and camera HW specs (MTF, SNR, dynamic range, frame sync, motion blur, FoV), and build the data-driven case for recommended camera selections and generational improvements
  • Translate product features across those workload classes into component- and module-level HW specifications — optical performance, module thermal envelope, power budget, data rates, interfaces, multi-camera synchronization/timestamping, and calibration tolerances that support factory-scale manufacturing
  • Partner with silicon architecture teams on ISP and sensor-companion-chip requirements, influencing HW/FW partitioning decisions that affect camera subsystem performance, power, and feature enablement (3A, actuator control, frame timing, AI pre-processing)
  • Communicate technical details, risks, and pathways to success across a product stack and with cross-functional teams
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10%

Minimum Qualifications:
  • MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline (or BS + equivalent depth of experience)
  • 8+ years in camera/imaging system architecture or design, with direct ownership of HW specification, trade-off analysis, and architecture decisions at the camera-system level
  • Experience architecting complete imaging systems from first-principles physics, optics, and sensor science — making defensible trade-offs and reasoning to the theoretical upper bound of what is achievable, even without deep specialization in any one component technology
  • Experience driving architecture-level trade-offs across image sensor technology (CMOS, BSI/stacked, global shutter, HDR) and camera module design (lens, AF/OIS actuator systems, packaging, active alignment) in partnership with specialist teams
  • Experience building the quantitative, data-driven case for camera architecture decisions — defining metrics and figures of merit that link camera HW performance to feature quality across photography, computer vision and AI/ML

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Working understanding of signal processing and computational photography principles — enough to identify where HW innovation hits diminishing returns and SW/algorithm optimization is more cost-effective
  • Experience modeling camera image quality end-to-end from hardware modules through ISP and S/W pipelines to analyze key performance indicators and inform architectural decisions based on trade-offs
  • Experience co-defining camera HW requirements with ISP, ML/AI and CV teams
  • Experience with product managers and industrial design teams in translating product vision into requirements through multiple product cycles
  • Track record of proactively shaping product roadmaps through technical foresight and analysis into actionable recommendations for leadership
  • Experience influencing key partners, internal and external, on roadmap and technology development

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$173,000/year to $245,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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